Utah Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

Which layer does a deep phenol peel affect?

1. Papillary Dermis

2. Epidermis

3. Reticular Dermis

4. Stratum Corneum

The correct answer is: Papillary Dermis

A deep phenol peel primarily targets the reticular dermis, which is the deeper layer of the dermis situated below the papillary dermis. This type of chemical peel is designed to penetrate deeply into the skin's layers, leading to significant exfoliation and allowing for substantial skin rejuvenation. By affecting the reticular dermis, a deep phenol peel can help improve the appearance of deeper wrinkles, scars, and hyperpigmentation. The depth of penetration is what differentiates deep phenol peels from lighter peels, which may only affect the epidermis or the upper layers of the dermis, primarily the papillary dermis. This targeted approach can result in more dramatic changes and improvements in the skin texture and tone, but it also requires careful consideration of the potential risks and recovery time involved with such an invasive procedure.