Peeling agents: toxicological and allergological aspects

Background The use of peeling agents is very common in clinical practice. H owever, despite the overall good safety profile, it is not without any inhe rent risk; therefore, clinicians should be adequately informed about potent ial risk in order to avoid or prevent them. Objective This paper reviews toxicological and allergological aspects of pe eling agents in general, also beyond their actual use in peeling procedures . Toxic and allergic reactions from peeling agents are rather uncommon and have been rarely reported in association with the medical use of peels. Methods Systemic toxic effects may essentially derive from phenol and poten tially from two phenol derivatives, resorcinol and salicylic acid. A comple te understanding of the toxicological profile of peeling agents, along with a correct execution of the technique and a carefully selection of patients , can help avoid serious side effects. Results Allergic contact reactions occur most frequently with resorcinol, w hile most peeling agents are only rare sensitizers or appear to be free of true sensitizing power. Other types of hypersensitivity response seem to be very rare. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.