Solid Carbon Dioxide

Solid CO₂ (dry ice)/solid CO₂ slush is used for superficial peeling. Solid CO₂ is actually a physical modality for peeling and not a true chemical peeling agent. The dry ice is wrapped in a small hand towel and dipped, as needed, in a solution of approximately 3:1 acetone and alcohol, which serves to facilitate application to the skin [7]. CO₂ ice causes mechanical injury to the epidermis, which results in microvesiculation and disruption of the stratum corneum barrier. It may be used alone (superficial peel) or to amplify TCA as a medium-depth peel [19].