# Predictive Factors of Better Patient Satisfaction After Phenol‐Croton Peel: A Retrospective Study of 102 Patients

## TL;DR

This study found that most patients were satisfied with phenol-croton peels, though some experienced long-term side effects that improved over time.

## Contribution

The study identifies age and absence of side effects as key predictors of patient satisfaction with phenol-croton peels.

## Key findings

- 92% of patients reported high satisfaction with phenol-croton peels.
- Cutaneous side effects like hypopigmentation and dryness were observed in 12% of patients.
- Side effects decreased significantly at follow-ups 15 months or more after the procedure.

## Abstract

Phenol‐croton peels are the gold standard for treating sun‐damaged skin and static wrinkles; their long‐term outcomes and patient satisfaction rates have yet to be thoroughly investigated.

To evaluate patient satisfaction and both short‐ and long‐term cutaneous side effects in individuals undergoing phenol‐croton peels.

This retrospective cohort study analyzed 102 female patients who underwent phenol‐croton peels and were followed up until 3 months after the procedure to assess short‐term side effects and to identify any long‐term side effects that persisted beyond this period. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess patient satisfaction and long‐term cutaneous side effects.

Ninety‐two percent of patients rated their satisfaction as 4 or 5. Persistent cutaneous side effects were observed in 12% of cases (hypopigmentation: 6, hyperpigmentation: 5, dryness: 1). Despite mild hypopigmentation, five patients expressed willingness to undergo the procedure again. In the univariate analyses, full‐face treatment, increasing age, and the absence of cutaneous side effects were significantly associated with higher satisfaction scores (p < 0.05). In the multivariate model, age and the absence of cutaneous side effects remained independently and significantly associated with the outcome. Full‐face treatment, although not statistically significant in the final model, showed a trend toward association and contributed to the overall adjustment. Notably, cutaneous side effects decreased at follow‐up performed at least 15 months after the procedure compared to follow‐up conducted within 3 months post‐procedure (p = 0.039).

Phenol‐croton peels demonstrated high satisfaction rates despite occasional prolonged cutaneous side effects. However, these side effects significantly decreased at ≥ 15 months post‐procedure compared to ≤ 3 months post‐procedure. Careful patient selection and expertise in performing this procedure remain crucial for optimizing outcomes.