When a chemical peel denatures the keratin protein, what is this process also called?

When a chemical peel denatures the keratin protein, this process is referred to as "frosting." This term is used because the denaturation caused by the chemical solution results in a white, frosted appearance on the surface of the skin, indicating that the treatment is effectively affecting the upper layers where keratin is abundant. Frosting occurs due to the coagulation of proteins in the skin, which is a sign that the peel is penetrating deeply enough to achieve its intended results. This process is crucial for facilitating skin renewal and improving the overall texture and clarity of the skin.

The other terms do not specifically refer to this particular reaction. Peeling generally describes the shedding of skin that follows a chemical peel but does not signify the denaturing process itself. Exfoliation is a broader term for the removal of dead skin cells from the surface, which can occur through various methods including mechanical abrasion or chemical means, but it does not specifically denote the protein denaturation aspect associated with frosting. Erasing could imply a removal of imperfections or damage but lacks the technical significance of the specific chemical reaction involved in a peel.