Exoderm Chemical Peel in Croatia

Is this for me?

What Exoderm is and how it differs from other chemical peels

Exoderm is one of the deepest chemical peels performed today. It is a modified, buffered phenol-based solution developed by the Israeli physician Dr. Yoram Fintsi, while Dr. Marina Landau co-authored later studies on its use, including in darker skin types. The formula was developed for more controlled penetration into the skin and reduced systemic absorption of phenol compared with classic phenol peels.

Exoderm removes the surface layers of the skin in a controlled way and stimulates renewal of the deeper layers of the dermis. It can soften deep wrinkles — especially the vertical lines above the upper lip — acne scars, and changes caused by years of sun exposure. After healing, the skin can appear firmer, but Exoderm does not lift sagging tissue and does not replace surgery.

The difference between superficial, medium-depth, and deep peels

Chemical peels are classified by how deep they work. Superficial peels affect the outermost layer of the skin and are usually performed in a series. Medium-depth peels reach the upper part of the dermis and require a few days of recovery. Deep peels reach the deeper layer of the dermis, are performed under anesthesia, and are, as a rule, applied only once.

The label “deep peel” is not enough on its own to compare procedures. What matters is which layer of the skin the peel reaches, whether it is performed under anesthesia, how long the recovery takes, and whether it is applied once or in a series. A procedure you can walk out of and go straight back to work does not have the same scope of effect as a deep phenol peel that requires days of supervision and several weeks of recovery.

What Exoderm does not do

Exoderm does not remove excess skin and does not lift sagging tissue. With pronounced laxity along the jawline or on the neck, a facelift may be indicated, while loss of volume is assessed for other methods. Exoderm works on the surface and structure of the skin — not on its support or position.

How we work

What the procedure looks like with us

Preparation and examination before the procedure

A medical workup is carried out before the procedure, because phenol is partially absorbed into the body after application to the skin. The condition of the heart and kidneys is assessed, along with the medication you take — especially anything that can affect heart rhythm. The workup therefore includes an ECG and a review of your regular therapy.

“Before the procedure we assess the ECG, your regular medication, and your general health — not just the changes in the skin. Phenol is partially absorbed, and that is why Exoderm requires a medical workup and supervision.”

The procedure itself is performed under local anesthesia with sedation, with an anesthesiologist present. After the solution is applied, the face is covered with a protective mask.

Sessions

As a rule, performed once

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia with sedation, included in the price

Recovery

Seven days in the Polyclinic’s apartment in Daruvar; back to everyday routines usually within 2 to 4 weeks

Performed by

Duško Maletić, MD, MSc and Mario Bartol, MD

The first seven days

You spend the first seven days in one of two apartments inside the Polyclinic in Daruvar, with a daily physician’s examination and care from our nurses. The stay is part of the postoperative protocol, because during that period — under the protective mask — the most delicate phase of healing and renewal of the skin surface takes place.

In the first days, expect pronounced swelling, tightness, and discomfort; itching may follow later. After the mask is removed, the skin is intensely red, and the redness then fades gradually. Makeup is allowed as soon as the skin tolerates it, with mandatory use of a high sun protection factor.

A return to everyday activities is usually possible within two to four weeks. The redness fades gradually and can last for months in some patients. How long it lasts varies with the skin and the course of healing, and cannot be precisely predicted in advance.

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Honest about the risks

Possible risks and complications

Because of how deep the peel works and the systemic absorption of phenol, it is important to understand the possible local and general complications before deciding on the procedure.

With full-face phenol peels, transient heart rhythm disturbances during the procedure have been described. That is why an ECG is performed beforehand, and the solution is applied gradually, section by section of the face, rather than all at once.

Prolonged redness, lightening or darkening of the treated skin, infection, herpes reactivation, milia, and — rarely — scarring are also possible. Some of these changes resolve during recovery, while others can remain permanent. The risk of permanent pigment change is higher in darker skin types, which is why skin type is assessed before any procedure is agreed.

The possible risks, permanent changes, and expected course of recovery are explained before the procedure as part of informed consent.