TCA peel - Patients ask, Dr. Ringpfeil answers
Please feel free to use the blog below to share information about TCA peel or to ask Dr. Franziska Ringpfeil a question that might be of interest to others.
Philadelphia and Mainline Center of Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery
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
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I am Indian with ice pick scars and hyperpigmentation and perhaps also rolling scars. What’s the best treatment I was thinking Tca peel? 30% or perhaps little less bc I’m darker skin.
Generally, isolated ice pick scars on dark skin can be treated by punch excision followed by resurfacing. A cluster of ice pick scars may be treated with a combination of fractionated non-ablative laser and fractionated radiofrequency treatments as well as picosecond laser and low density fractionated CO2 laser ablation.
Isolated ice pick scars in fair skinned individuals can also be treated by a series of TCA CROSS treatments and a field of shallow ice pick scars can be targeted by TCA peel in individuals who have light skin. There is a high likelihood to hyperpigment for about 24 months when TCA is applied to Indian skin, Middle Eastern or dark Mediterranean skin. There is even a chance to loose pigment if black skin is treated with TCA. An in person consultation is needed to determine the best treatment options.
I have very dark acne scaring on my face with lots of open pores, I am a African American. I want to know the best way to go to clear my skin I’m 32 yrs old.
When dealing with scars, “clear” skin is not vocabulary I feel comfortable using. Improvement for scars and open pores can be achieved with a combination of Infini treatments, picosecond laser treatments and perhaps photodynamic therapy. TCA is not a safe substance to use on pigmented skin. Please schedule a consultation with our office or any dermatologist office that has all methods available to him/her.
Hello,
I am interested in the TCA peel. However I am looking to get a good medium concentration of 30 to 35%. From all I have read, this seems to be the strength that effects the best skin change. I am not interested in laser/deep peeling. I have tried lasers before – did not like them.
I can do the 20% here locally. I have tried other peels and to be honest the concentration is not high enough to affect skin change. The changes are to mild to notice. Do you offer this concentration, I have an event coming up, and I’d like to look my best. (am in my late 40’s) Can you offer a ballpark price for this procedure. I see some prices on your web-site.
I appreciate your discretion,
Cheers Anne
I agree that 35% TCA peels are much more effective than 17% or 20% peels as a one time procedure. Each of these peels has its role. The lesser strength TCA peels are suitable for individuals who have sensitive skin or have a darker complexion or for those who just need to perk up the radiance of their skin rather than improve discoloration, fine lines or shallow acne scars. We perform 35% TCA peel in the appropriate candidate. Your skin type must be Fitzpatrick I-III (fair skinned) in order to avoid discoloration with this type of peel. The effects usually last for 1-2 years and this peel can be repeated at that time. The charge for a 35% TCA peel of the face is $500. In-office evaluation with our physicians for a 35% TCA peel in the office is a must. Only our dermatologists carry out this peel.