Jessner’s Solution with Trichloroacetic Acid Chemical Peel: Optimizing Outcomes and Safety

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.


TRICHLOROACETIC ACID AND JESSNER'S SOLUTION
Trichloroacetic acid is a versatile agent, efficacious in treating a spectrum of facial rhytids at varying concen-trations. TCA is commonly used in a 30%-35% concentration to achieve a medium-depth peel into the upper reticular dermis. 5 Importantly, a number of factors other than the concentration of TCA contribute to the depth of peel obtained such as skin preparation, pretreatment skin type, and method of application. The depth of peel can be determined clinically based on the frost color as described by Dolezal (Table 2). 6,7 The addition of Jessner's solution before TCA peel application leads to partial removal of epidermis, allowing for deeper penetration of the TCA. This combination is beneficial, as lower concentrations of TCA can be used for the same depth of peel, minimizing complications such as scarring. 5

Preprocedure Protocol
Consultation with the patient should be used to establish realistic goals and expectation as well as to educate the patient on important perioperative care instructions for optimal results. A careful history and physical examination allow the clinician to determine the patients' candidacy (Table 3).
The senior author's (R.J.R.) preference is to pretreat all patients for 4-6 weeks before chemical peeling. 5,8 This regimen includes topical tretinoin (0.05%-0.1%), hydroquinone (2%-4%), sunscreen, and alpha hydroxyl acid (4%-10%). Pretreatment improves skin tolerance, regulates fibroblast and melanocyte function, improves dermal circulation, and allows for the treated skin to heal 3-4 days faster due to increased cellular division and new collagen formation. 1,5,9 Modifications to this preprocedure regimen (dosages and application intervals) are made as needed based on tolerance and skin types. A week before peel, patients are started on a cleansing and toning protocol and encouraged to maintain adequate hydration and moisturize of the skin. Acyclovir is initiated 2 days before chemical peel and continued 5 days after the peel in patients with prior history of herpetic lesions.

Procedure
Safety and consistency are prioritized to ensure optimal results (SDC1) (see video, Supplemental Digital Content 1 which displays 30% TCA peel with Jessner's solution technique, http://links.lww.com/PRSGO/B58). This begins with a setup of 4 clearly labeled glasses ordered from left to right in the appropriate sequence of usage. The glasses are filled by the operating surgeon with: (1) 70% ethyl alcohol, (2) acetone, (3) Jessner's solution, and (4) 35% TCA acid solution. 5 In our practice, the Jessner's solution is premixed by a pharmacist and contains 100 mg of 95% ethanol, 14 g of resorcinol, 14 g of salicylic acid, and 14 ml of lactic acid. Also, available on this table are 2 × 2 gauze and cotton tip applicators.
The patient's skin is anesthetized approximately 40-60 minutes preprocedure with topical anesthetic (Lidocaine/Prilocaine cream). The procedure begins with cleansing of the skin using 2 × 2 gauze soaked in 70% ethyl alcohol. Next, acetone is applied in a similar manner as a degreasing agent. Once this is complete, the skin is allowed to air dry. Jessner's solution is then applied to exfoliate and peel the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The depth of the Jessner's peel is controlled by number of applications. 4 One to four layers of Jessner's solution is applied to the face with the endpoint being uniform areas of erythema with slight areas of frost. 4,5 In patients with thick sebaceous skin, more coats of Jessner's may be required. After the Jessner application is complete, 35% TCA solu-  tion is applied. The application of Jessner's solution and TCA is similar; 2 × 2 gauze is saturated with the solution and wrung out to avoid any dripping. The senior author uses a 3-finger technique to allow for a wide and consistent surface area to be covered. 5 A cotton tip applicator wrung with TCA is used to treat rhytids in the periorbital and perioral region. The skin in these areas is stretched to allow for the peel to reach the bottom of the rhytids. The wooden end of the cotton tip applicator can be used for selective application of the peel for deeper rhytids. 5 The margin of the area being peeled (typically mandibular border for facial peel) is lightly feathered to allow for a natural and inconspicuous transition. These areas are all constantly reassessed for color changes to assess depth and efficacy of the peel.

Postprocedure Care
Once the peel is complete a thin layer of Bactroban ointment is applied to the treated areas. The patients are instructed not to moisturize the area, as this will impede desired sloughing. 5,10 Typically, 7-10 days are needed for skin to slough and reepithelialize. 1 Dermal regeneration takes up to 6 weeks. Patient may wash their faces daily without scrubbing for the first 3 days. They are instructed to pat dry the area with a soft towel. Cold compresses and anxiolytics are used to minimize discomfort and oral narcotics may be used as needed. All patients are given 24 hours of prophylactic antibiotics. Once the skin reepithelializes (7-10 days) the aforementioned preprocedure regimen is restarted. 5

SUMMARY
In select patients, combination of Jessner's solution with 35% TCA solution allows for a safe and effective resurfacing of moderate facial rhytids and dyschromias. Pre-and postprocedure skin care in addition to systematic application of the chemical peel optimizes results while minimizing potential complications.