Salicylic acid frosting

Fig. 3.3 (a) Frosting after salicylic acid, (b) Crusting 48 h later, (c) Resolution of crusting in 3-4 days, (d) Complete clearing of hypopigmentation by day 7-10... 

Deep peels TCA (30%), salicylic acid (50%). These peels cause a deep frosting phenomena and they require home postpeeling management for the intense erythema. These peels are used in medium and deep acne scars. Ice-pick and boxcar scars can be treated with TCA 30% application all over the face when they are diffuse. When they are isolated, TCA cross 50-90% using cotton tips is the gold standard [15] (Fig. 13.13a. b). In Table 13.5, we sununarize the principal chenucal peels and their indication in acne. 

Figure 5.8 Progression of peel. (A) Baseline prior to application of peel (B) 1 min after peel application (C) 2 min after peel application (note more intense frosting representing complete crystallization of salicylic acid) (D) complete frosting achieved 4 min after peel application, and (E) postpeel after salicylic acid precipitate removed...

When the salicylic acid peeling is performed, it crystallizes and forms a pseudo-frost. This precipitate can be washed with water after 3-10 minutes. 

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