TCA Peels
Information about TCA peels and what to expect |
TCA peels are medium strength chemical peels that cause your skin to physically peel. They require around a week of downtime, but the results are usually well worth the wait.
Here we will go over basic information about TCA peels and what you have to do to prepare pre-peel. The following pages will then discuss what to expect at various stages of the TCA peeling process.
What do TCA peels do?
TCA peels are medium depth peels, ranging from 8% to 30%. Though the concentration might not be as high, TCA peels are considered much deeper peels than lactic acid and glycolic acid peels. For instance, a 75% glycolic acid peel never made me peel, 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, sun spots, freckles) and fine wrinkles. They don't work as well for acne scars or moles, but they can minimize the appearance of skin tags. One TCA peel will give better results than one glycolic acid peel, but 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, but they can last even longer with glycolic or lactic acid peels every two weeks.
Where to get TCA peels
You can get TCA peels from your local dermatologist, plastic surgeon, or aesthetician. They are also available as at-home peels. However, TCA peels are not to be taken lightly. Doing them at home by yourself can be dangerous if you don't follow the proper instructions.
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 safer for you to give yourself a peel at home. Keep in mind that high concentration TCA peels (above 20%) are still best administered by a specialist.
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 you don’t want to get any sun exposure and you’ll probably look too red and peely to be presentable.
Here is a breakdown of what the 10 days are like:
Pre-peel:
There are a few things you should do to prepare yourself for a TCA peel. Some dermatologists recommend using retinoids or an AHA serum for two weeks prior to the peel to prime the skin for a more even peel. However, this is optional. Three days before the actual peel though, you must 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.
48 hours before you get a full peel, you must do a patch test on the area where you will get the peel. If you are getting a peel on your face, patch test your face. If you are getting a peel on your hands, patch test your hands. Spot testing the TCA peel solution is extremely important for a safe peel because it will help you understand how your skin responds to the acid and make you aware of any averse reactions before getting a full-fledged peel.
It's also wise to get yourself some time off work. If you can't get 10 days off, try to get the days off when your skin will start to peel the most, most likely 3-4 days after the day of the peel. Have a good moisturizer, petroleum jelly (Vaseline), antibiotic cream (usually provided by the dermatologist or Bacitracin or Neosporin), and anti-itch cream (Lanacaine or Cortaid) on hand.