Focal Trichloroacetic Acid Peel Method for Benign Pigmented Lesions in Dark-Skinned Patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Benign pigmented lesions, including seborrheic keratosis, solar lentigines, melasma, and freckles, are common disorders, and various treatment modalities have been tried. We suggest a technique consisting of focal trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel applied by pressing firmly onto the focal lesions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of focal TCA peel on pigmented lesions in dark-skinned patients. METHODS: An analysis was conducted of 106 patients with benign pigmented lesions who were treated using focal TCA peel. Seborrheic keratosis was treated with 65% focal TCA peel, solar lentigines, and freckles with 50% to 65% focal TCA peel, and melasmas with 10% to 50% focal TCA peel. Patients had Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V. RESULTS: Patient treatment data indicated that 19 of 23 (83%) patients with seborrheic keratosis, 42 of 49 (86%) patients with solar lentigines, 8 of 14 (58%) patients with freckles, and 11 of 20 (55%) patients with melasma experienced a good clinical response. Good satisfaction rates in the seborrheic keratosis, solar lentigines, freckles, and melasma groups were recorded. No significant complications were observed. CONCLUSION: The focal TCA peel method presented in this study is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions with no significant complications.