Facial Procedures : Microdermabrasion : Chemical Peels
TCA Peels
What do TCA peels do?
TCA peels are medium depth peels, ranging from 8% to 30% or more. They are considered much deeper peels than lactic acid and glycolic acid peels. I’ve gotten a 75% glycolic acid peel before and never even peeled but a 12.5% TCA peel had my skin peeling for days!
TCA peels brighten and even out your skin tone by reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation (dark spots, acne marks) and fine wrinkles. They don't work that well for acne scars or moles, but they can minimize the appearance of skin tags. You are able to see better results from one TCA peel than you are able to see from one glycolic acid peel, however, more than one TCA peel is still necessary for the best results.
TCA peels can be used on the face, neck, or back of the hands. They can also be used all over the face or just as a spot peel. Results generally last around 6 months.
Where to get TCA peels
You can get TCA peels from your local dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or aesthetician. TCA peels are also available as at-home peels, however, since TCA peels are very serious peels, doing TCA peels at home is very dangerous.
If you've never gotten a TCA peel done before, it's best to get them done the first time by a professional instead of using an at-home kit. After you get a few done by a professional and know how to care for your skin and apply the peel correctly, then it's a bit safer for you to give yourself one at home. For very high percentage peels (above 20%), get them done by a specialist because these are very dangerous percentages. TCA peels should definitely not be taken lightly!
What to expect from a TCA peel
TCA peels are serious peels with about 10 days worth of downtime. If you are considering getting one done, definitely schedule some time off of work because 1) you don’t want to get any sun exposure and 2) you’ll probably look too monstrous to be presentable anyway.
Here's a breakdown of what the 10 days are like (next time I get a TCA peel, I'll remember to take pictures and post them!):
Pre-peel:
Some dermatologists recommend using Retin A or an AHA serum for two weeks prior to the peel to get a more even peel. However, in my opinion, this is completely optional.
Three days before the actual peel though, you have to stop the use of all exfoliants (manual or chemical) and especially avoid using any harsh products (such as hair removal or grainy scrubs) on the day of the peel and for the duration of the peel.
Get yourself some time off of work (if you can't get 10 days off, try getting the days off of work when your skin will start to peel the most....most likely 3 days after the day of the peel). Have a good moisturizer, antibiotic cream (usually provided by the derm), and anti-itch cream handy.