TCA Peel

Indications for Chemical Peel include wrinkled, sun-damaged, blemished or unevenly pigmented skin. A chemical peel involves the application of a solution containing trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to remove the top layers of skin. A chemical peel may be performed in conjunction with a facelift, but it is not a substitute since it does not achieve the same effects. Chemical peels do not retard the effects of aging.

The TCA peel is a medium peel that can be administered in various strengths to adjust the depth of the peel. The TCA peel is appropriate to smooth fine surface wrinkles, remove superficial blemishes and correct pigmentation problems. Unlike the other peels, the TCA peel may be used on the neck as well as the face, and this is the preferred peel for darker-skinned individuals. Maintaining the benefits of your chemical peel can be maintained by using our physician directed skin care line, Dermesse.

Following the TCA peel, we apply an Exosome Soothing Gel Mask, our powerful hydrating essence gel concentrate mask designed to calm, soothe and intensely hydrate and rebalance the skin’s moisture barrier at a cellular level and restore a more youthful radiant complexion.

After a TCA peel treatment, the patient may experience tingling and there may be significant swelling, especially if a strong formula has been used. Swelling generally subsides within a week. Crusts or scabs that form on the treated areas begin to slough off in a week to 10 days. At this time, the patient can return to normal activities except for sun exposure, which should be avoided until complete healing has occurred. Then the patient should apply sunblock daily for protection.

Risks vary with the type and depth of the peel, but all peels carry a small risk of infection and/or scarring. Patients with allergies could experience a flare-up of skin allergies. Fever blisters and/or cold sores may also develop.

The effects of a TCA peel are more noticeable and slightly more enduring, but they are not permanent.