When the surface thus treated has become dry, adhesive plaster, cut in half-inch strips of desirable length, are put on the face, one above the other, slightly overlapping, until the whole treated surface is well covered, mask-like.
The author uses Unna’s zinc oxide plaster mull for this purpose, as it is backed with gutta-percha, which readily adapts itself to the curvatures of contour.
The adhesive plaster mask is not removed until about the fourth or fifth day, when it will be practically forced away from the skin by the excretions thrown out from the derma. In some cases there is considerable pus.
After removal of the mask the skin, now very red and tender, is cleansed with a solution of bichloride, 1 in 10,000.
After the cleansing a mild soothing ointment, such as zinc oxide in vaselin, is used for several days until the skin takes on its normal epitheliar layer and appears normal in color.
No water or soaps are to be allowed during the latter period. In the later days of the treatment the skin may be cleansed with a little borated vaselin or even olive oil used with absorbent cotton.
If there is a pigmentation of the new skin this should cause no alarm, as it will fade out in from six to eight weeks.
Tincture of iodine has been used for the same purpose, as well as its mixture with carbolic acid.
Resublimed resorcin is also advocated, but the resultant peeling will not prove thick enough to give a satisfactory result.