Utah Esthetics Written State Practice Exam

Before performing a Jessner peel, which step is essential for preparing the skin?

1. Moisturizing

2. Exfoliating

3. Stripping the skin of oil

4. Applying a barrier cream

The correct answer is: Stripping the skin of oil

Before performing a Jessner peel, it is essential to strip the skin of oil. This step helps to prepare the skin effectively for the peel, ensuring that the active ingredients in the Jessner solution penetrate deeply and uniformly. By removing excess oil, you create an optimal environment for the chemical exfoliation to take place, enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment and minimizing the risk of uneven peeling or adverse reactions. In chemical peels, especially those like Jessner that combine multiple acids for effective skin resurfacing, it's crucial to ensure that the skin is clean and free from any barriers that may prevent the peel from working as intended. Stripping the skin of oil not only prepares it for better absorption but also helps to reduce the likelihood of irritation by preventing the peel from interacting negatively with any oils or products that may remain on the skin's surface. The other choices, while important in various contexts, do not serve the same direct purpose in preparing the skin for a Jessner peel. Moisturizing could create a barrier, exfoliating may be unnecessary if the skin is already prepared, and applying a barrier cream is typically used to protect certain areas rather than prepare the skin for the peel itself.