TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) Peel

Overview: Various concentrations of this synthetic compound achieve a superficial to medium depth peel.

Expected results: Reduction of fine and intermediate lines, skin tightening, even skin pigmentation and removal of some sun spots, removal of shallow acne scars, removal of precancerous conditions.

Preparation: The effects of a trichloroacetic acid peel and the efficiency of the peel can be potentiated by starting sunscreens and a retinoid as part of a rigorous skin care regimen several weeks prior to your peel. The night before the peel, any retinoid must be stopped and may be resumed several days after the peel when the refreshed skin is visible. The morning of the peel, there is no necessity to apply any medicinal product other than your daily sunscreen.

Post treatment instructions: The day of the peel, apply a gentle moisturizer (with sunscreen if sun-exposed area was treated) to the area several times; resume your daily skin care regimen the day after the peel with the exception of a retinoid that may be restarted after several days.

Time to desired results: 5 days (surface smoothing) to 3months (collagen production)

Contraindications: Use of isotretinoin (Accutane) in the past 12 months, history of phenol peel.

Downtime: 5-7 days of mask-like exfoliation of the treated area