During the 1990s, a fair bit of research was conducted on TCA, mostly because (via chlorine) it can end up in the water system. Reviews of various tests came up with the conclusion that it is “not considered to be carcinogenic to humans”.
A study on 65 people in Korea (using TCA at 65% or 100% concentrations) showed it to be an effective treatment for acne scars. What interested me about this research was the authors did not want to conduct deep peels because of complications such as damage to adjacent normal skin but instead used high concentrations of TCA targeted directly on each scar “pressing hard” with a wooden applicator.
A lot of great reviews on people also using TCA for sun damages or scarring on legs, arms and body parts.
Medium depth peels are usually performed with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in concentrations ranging from 20-35%. Although there are formulations of 50%, they generally not recommended because of the high risk of scarring associated with this depth of penetration. Apparently, 11-20% concentrations of TCA will penetrate one–to-two layers of the epidermis.
The concentration of I’M FABULOUS Gorgeous Peel is less than 11%. You will not get downtime. It is safe and easy to use.
People use TCA peels to try to get younger looking skin, and to treat certain skin conditions, like melasma and acne scarring.
Trichloroacetic (TCA) peels are a type of chemical peel used to treat a wide range of skin concerns including signs of aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation and scarring. TCA peels are most commonly performed at medium strengths which require some downtime, but offer significant improvements to the skin’s appearance.
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TCA Peel: What It Is, How It Works, Benefits, Results, Cost and More
October 2, 2019 • By Colleen Stanton (reviewed by Emily Meyers, R.N., L.E.)
- TCA peels are used to treat acne scars, hyperpigmentation, melasma, fine lines and sun damage.
- These peels are performed at light or medium strengths and require days or weeks of downtime.
- TCA is safe for all skin types when the appropriate precautions are taken.
- At-home peeling kits carry the risk of damaging skin and should be used with caution.
Trichloroacetic (TCA) peels are a type of chemical peel used to treat a wide range of skin concerns including signs of aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation and scarring. TCA peels are most commonly performed at medium strengths which require some downtime, but offer significant improvements to the skin’s appearance.
CONTENTS
- What Is a Trichloroacetic Chemical Peel?
- How Does a TCA Peel Work?
- TCA Chemical Peel Benefits
- Are TCA Chemical Peels Right for Your Skin?
- What to Expect During a TCA Peel
- Results
- Safety and Side Effects
- How Much Do TCA Peels Cost?
- At-Home TCA Peels
What Is a Trichloroacetic Chemical Peel?
TCA is derived from acetic acid, a derivative of vinegar, and is available in concentrations ranging from 15–70%. It is applied to remove the top layer of skin from the face, neck, hands or other parts of the body.
A TCA peel chemically exfoliates the skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines, hyperpigmentation, melasma, acne scars and sun damage; it improves skin texture.https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.490.0_en.html#goog_20530828310 seconds of 30 secondsVolume 0%
TCA peels can be performed at a variety of strengths—from light to medium—and can be customized by the number of layers applied and any prepeel agents used.
How Does a TCA Peel Work?
TCA breaks up keratin, a protein found in the skin. This causes the keratin to stop functioning properly, lighten in color and peel away from the skin over the course of several days. As the layers of damaged skin are removed, healthier, smoother skin is revealed beneath.
While a light peel only affects the topmost layer of skin, the epidermis, a medium peel can penetrate the papillary dermis below to treat deeper damage.
Strengths
The concentration of TCA used determines the depth of the peel. Lower concentrations provide more subtle changes in the skin, while higher concentrations significantly improve overall skin tone and texture while removing scars, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
Light peels of 10–15% concentrations can treat hyperpigmentation, while 20% peels treat sun-damaged or aging skin and minor scars. Medium peels of 30–35% treat deeper wrinkles, deeper scars and precancerous growths.
Although TCA in higher concentrations was used for deep full-face peels in the past, it is no longer recommended due to the risk of postprocedural complications. In concentrations up to 70%, TCA can be applied to very small areas of skin to treat individual scars or lesions.
While peels of lower concentration can be performed on the face, neck, hands or any part of the body with sun damage, peels of 20% or higher should only be performed on the face as other parts of the body are more likely to scar.
TCA Chemical Peel Benefits
TCA chemical peels offers many noticeable improvements to the skin, to include a reduction in the appearance of scars, signs of aging and sun damage.
TCA can be successfully used to lighten all types of hyperpigmentation, including freckles, age spots, dark patches and melasma.
What does TCA do?
Joking aside, chemical peels have a lot of benefits! These include, but aren’t limited to:
- deep exfoliation
- treating hyperpigmentation and other skin discolorations
- facial rejuvenation
- unclogging pores
- getting rid of acne
- reducing the depth of wrinkles or acne scarring
- brightening skin tone
- enhancing the absorption of other skin care products