TCA 15%

• 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 is color-blind to all FitzPatrick’s & self neutralizing when the appropriate precautions are taken.

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. TCA is derived from acetic acid, a derivative of vinegar, and is available in concentrations of 15%It is applied to remove the top layer of skin from the face, neck, hands or other parts of the body.

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.

A single light peel brightens skin and reduces large pores, however multiple peels are usually necessary to see significant changes in the appearance of skin. TCA can substantially reduce hyperpigmentation and sun damage with a single treatment. With multiple treatments, it can effectively treat acne scars. However, the risk of complications from a medium peel is higher and recovery time is longer than for a light peel.

However, TCA is an effective treatment for post-acne scarring. It simultaneously smoothes the skin’s texture while removing postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, the dark spots of discoloration that appear after a blemish has healed. 

TCA is effective to reduce sun damage, and does so by removing sunspots—flat, brown spots that develop due to sun exposure—and improving skin tone and texture. It has been proven particularly effective at increasing skin elasticity and hydration, two signifiers of healthy, undamaged skin.

TCA can be successfully used to lighten all types of hyperpigmentation, including freckles, age spots, dark patches and melasma. 

Contraindications for chemical peels include the tendency to form keloid scars, taking medication that makes your skin light sensitive and any active bacterial, fungal or viral infections.

If your skin cannot tolerate a TCA chemical peel, alternatives for treating minor skin issues such as hyperpigmentation include enzyme, microdermabrasion and microneedling. 

Although the procedure itself only lasts a few minutes, a TCA peel involves more than one appointment. A pre- and postprocedure skin care regimen is also required to obtain the best results. 

The weeks or months leading up to your procedure usually require a prepeel regimen, to improve the outcome of your treatment.

If you regularly use retinoid creams or medications, you will be asked to discontinue them because they can cause the TCA to penetrate too deeply into the skin. Conversely, if you do not use retinoids, you may be prescribed one for a short duration.

Use only mild cleansers and other skin care products and meticulously wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPFthroughout the recovery phase. Do not pick at or peel the skin, as this can lead to scarring. Avoid vitamin C serums and moisturizers, retinoids and at-home exfoliating products until the skin has fully healed as they can damage your fragile skin. You will be provided with specific instructions for aftercare protocol.