Trichloroacetic acid and other non-phenol peels.

Medium peels are an excellent modality for treating actinically damaged skin. Because they create wounds that extend only down into the upper dermis, they have less risk of complications than deeper phenol peels. Conversely, because of their more superficial nature, they also are not as effective as phenol peels in improving deep scars and wrinkles. Cosmetic surgeons should consider medium-depth peels a useful addition to their current armamentarium against aging skin, rather than a replacement for phenol peels.