Chemical burn following 50% trichloroacetic acid for acne: Presentation of a case and a focused review

Background: chemical peels are widely used minimally invasive procedures with both cosmetic and medical indications. although known for their general safety and efficacy, peels can rarely result in significant complications. objective: here we report the first case in the peer-reviewed literature of chemical burn from erroneous home use of 50% trichloroacetic acid. methods: a focused literature review was performed of complications relating to chemical peels. results: chemical burns from trichloroacetic acid peels are rare. to our knowledge, this is the first such case reported with supporting histopathological data. conclusions: physicians must be aware of the potential complications of chemical peels, prevention strategies, and treatment modalities.