TikTok loves this intense chemical peel that transforms your skin — but it can lead to heart problems and scarring

• TikTokers are fascinated by phenol peels, which are the strongest chemical peels available.
• They remove the upper layers of skin in one session, reducing wrinkles and dark spots.

When it comes to skincare, the key is sticking to a consistent routine and wearing lots of sunscreen. But results take time, and it's natural to be drawn to more drastic procedures.

Enter: The phenol peel, which has attracted over 90 million TikTok views because of its ability to "factory reset" the skin.

In the videos (which are not recommended for the faint of heart), dermatologists are seen removing a crusted, scab-like layer of skin from a patient's face, revealing raw, red skin underneath.

Beyond the shock value of watching the procedure happen, there are also the results: Before-and-after photos reveal dramatic face tightening as well as the disappearance of dark spots and wrinkles.

A one-session chemical peel

A phenol peel is the strongest chemical peel available, named after the solution used in the process.

According to Dr. Anthony Youn, a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Troy, Michigan, phenol peels have been "around for decades" and cause "the upper layers of the skin to exfoliate or slough off."

"By doing this," he said, "wrinkles and dark spots are reduced and skin looks tighter." Unlike other chemical peels, a phenol peel can take weeks to recover from but can produce major results in only one session.

Risks include scarring, infection, and irregular heartbeats

According to Youn, the common risks of a phenol peel are what you'd expect: Scarring, pigment issues, infection, and cold sore activation.

However, he said the "biggest risk" is developing cardiac arrhythmia or an irregular heartbeat, "which can theoretically result in death." He said phenol is a caustic substance that can lead to the condition, though the exact reason "has never been definitively proven."

Some dermatologists even use heart monitoring devices when administering the peel out of an abundance of caution, and patients with diabetes and hypertension might especially be at risk of developing arrhythmias during a phenol peel.

Many dermatologists don't offer them, preferring safer peels

Like many doctors, Youn doesn't offer phenol peels in his office due to the risk of arrhythmia. Instead, he usually recommends "a series of moderate-depth chemical peels," such as trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peels which "are safer but usually take several treatments to get a similar result as one deeper phenol peel."

For people who still want a phenol peel, he stressed looking for "a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon who had a lot of experience with it."

Despite its appeal of fast results, Youn said this process "must be done very carefully and slowly" to avoid serious health risks.