Treatment of periorbital wrinkles by repeated medium‐depth chemical peels in dark‐skinned individuals

Abstract

The periorbital region serves as a barometer of chronological and environmental age and, as such, persons often seek its cosmetic rejuvenation. This study was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of repeated, medium-depth chemical peels in the treatment of periorbital wrinkles in dark-skinned individuals. A total of 12 subjects (10 women and 2 men) with fine and/or medium-sized wrinkles were included in the study, the ages ranged from 30 to 55 years with a mean of 41.25. Focal, medium-depth peels of periorbital area including crow's foot wrinkles were performed using a combination of Jessner's solution followed by the application of 35% trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The study involved a four-session regimen. To be included in this study, the subject completed at least two peeling sessions, 1 month apart, and returned for follow-up according to the research schedule. Improvement occurred in 11 of 12 subjects. Marked improvement occurred in four subjects (33%), moderate improvement in three (25%), mild improvement in another three (25%), minimal improvement in one subject (8%), and no response in one subject (8%). There were seven patients with fine and five with medium periorbital wrinkles. For statistical analysis, the no and minimum response groups were categorized as nonresponders. The improvement that ranged between marked to mild occurred in 100% of subjects with fine wrinkles and 60% of subjects with medium wrinkles. Mild side effects appeared in four subjects (33%). It can be concluded that fine and/or medium periorbital wrinkling responds favorably to repeated, medium-depth chemical peels even in dark-skinned individuals with few mild side effects.