Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is a common side effect following a deep phenol peel?

1. Dryness

2. Swelling

3. Itching

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

A deep phenol peel is a intensive chemical treatment used to improve skin texture and reduce deep wrinkles and other skin imperfections. One of the well-known aspects of this procedure is that it can lead to a range of side effects due to the depth of the peel, which penetrates deeply into the skin layers. Dryness is common because the phenol solution can strip the skin of its natural oils, resulting in a tight, flaky texture as the skin begins to heal. Swelling is also frequently observed as a response to the trauma inflicted on the skin. The inflammatory process that occurs after such a profound treatment can cause the skin to swell significantly. Itching is another sensation that clients may experience during the healing process. As the skin repairs itself, it can become irritated, and the new skin may feel itchy as it regenerates. Given that a deep phenol peel can indeed lead to all these side effects—dryness, swelling, and itching—it's appropriate to conclude that the correct response encompasses all of them collectively. This highlights the importance of patient education about the healing phase following this kind of chemical peel, including the expectations for side effects and the management strategies that may be required.