TCA 25% Trichloroacetic Acid

TCA 25% peel is a medium strength peel. It revives the skin with radiance and glow at moderate downtime and peeling. It can be used to treat fine lines, wrinkles, uneven complexion, acute acne and mild acne. This peel is for experienced users and should only be administered by a professional only. This peel is recommended for people Using our Complete Accessory Kit or the Pro Accessory Kit will help you heal faster and expedite the natural regeneration of healthy skin in an even and non-irritating way.

What Is a TCA 25% Peel?

TCA 25% (trichloroacetic acid) is a very safe compound used in chemical peels to gently lift and remove the surface skin layer of dead cells and debris. This helps to prevent the establishment of clogged pores, which could otherwise lead to bacterial buildup within the skin and result in acne breakouts. It also greatly enhances the effectiveness of cosmetic products, since the skin is now clear and able to respond more readily to moisturizing nutrients and other skincare ingredients. Using a moderate-strength solution of TCA in a 1:4 ratio, this peel reveals deeper, healthier cells.

With effects extending beyond just skin resurfacing, TCA stimulates the underlying dermal tissues to regenerate and strengthen collagen fibers. The body’s immune system responds to the sudden loss in epithelial tissue by promoting rapid regeneration of the underlying cells. This results in a smoother surface skin, removal of wrinkles and an overall more youthful complexion.

Use of chemical peels will result in a slight pinkness of the skin as the superficial layers begin to shed. Similar to a mild sunburn, patients may experience a minor increase in skin sensitivity and should avoid direct contact with sunlight without proper precautions. Most visible effects are usually seen within a week, as the surface skin layers are replaced with a healthy, new skin. The skin will respond to the treatment on a gradual level. Chemical peel procedures last approximately fifteen minutes and require minimal post-procedure precautions.

Firstly what is TCA 25%?

TCA stands for trichlorecrectic acid

What does the peel do?

A TCA peel exfoliated the top layer of skin, clearing away dead skin cells to reveal the new and smoother skin layer below.

There are many benefits of a TCA chemical peel, it reduces pigmentation, minimizes age spots, freckles, and sun damage, softens fine lines and wrinkles, Treats acne and congestion, and softens acne scarring.

The peels range in dept from superficial, medium and deep peels.

Superficial only exfoliates the top layer of skin and this is the peel you should begin with if you want to try a chemical peel you should never begin with a stronger peel that is dangerous for your skin so always follow the guidelines when it comes to this.

The medium and deep chemical peels exfoliate into the upper and mid dermis.

Superfical are effective for texture irregulaties and uneven skin tone.

Medium and deep are effective for skin tightening and deminishing fine lines and wrinkles.

The heeling time and adverse reaction increase with the dept of the chemical peel.

I’ve done a 15%,20%, and now 25% and I can say when the TCA is on your face the tingling sensation is pretty intense and that escalates as I go up in strengths of peel but it’s bearable I just leave it for 5 minutes as it was recommended for me obviously it changes as I progress. You rinse with cool water and pat dry then apply the Antioxidant recovery cream that comes with the peel the aftercare is so very important you won’t get the results you want from the peel unless you follow the aftercare directions. I apply this cream 3 times a day to keep my skin moist also it’s important to use sunscreen. Within 4-10 days your skin will start to peel this is normal, you must never peel the skin off you will be left with redness, the skin needs to peel itself when the new skin underneath is ready. If you have a lot of skin hanging you can trim with scissors but never pull or peel the skin back that’s bad for the new skin underneath.

You need to wait at least 10 days between peel to let your skin recovery then you repeat the process.

That after-care cream that comes with this peel is called planet Eden antioxidant recovery cream, it has dozens of antioxidants that soothe and heal skin after a peel, it repairs the skin as you sleep. It contains vitamin A, C, and E along with botanicals and healing oils/ hyaluronic acid for extreme hydration.

So far I’ve done two peels with 10 days of recovery in between I can see my hyperpigmentation is fading my skin tone is brighter and some of the light acne scarring around my chin had significantly reduced so I’m really happy with it. It’s a slow process but that is the best way. You want the best results from your peel without damaging your skin so you have to take your time and let your skin heal between peels. It’s not something you want to rush you could end up damaging your skin.

What was the TCA 25% Peel like?

Before the peel, the facialist did a quick pore cleanse, hence all the red spots. I had the worst luck of getting a blood-filled cyst (that huge blob in the center of my left cheek) a week before that just wouldn’t budge in time for the treatment. She emptied it, but she couldn’t put the TCA on it, so had to work around it. This made the peel work less on my more damaged side that could need it the most.

The procedure itself was painful as hell. I don’t think I’ve ever put myself through such pain. If you ever had someone twist your arm while holding it over a fire, that’s exactly how it felt.
It’s like a thousand burning needles, and you can feel how the peel is sinking in through your every pore. The clinic provides a fan, which definitely makes it less excruciating. Some clinics do provide anesthetics, I didn’t ask for it as I believe that it intervenes with the healing process and it’s only temporary.

As I was only treating my cheeks, she did two layers, the second layer hurt more than the first, and I felt my eyes watering. The whole procedure took about 3-4 minutes, and I kept feeling some tingling for 1-2 hours afterward. You will look a bit white, this is called frosting, but it goes away as the skin turns brown/red after a day or two.

Peeling Days

As I only got 2 weeks to do some research, I was not completely prepared with a skincare routine. I had ordered the MyChelle Deep Repair Cream and Polypeptide cream, and while waiting for them to arrive I used my own Kukui nut oil infused with Calendula. On Day 2 though, oil wasn’t enough and I had to turn to the only cream we have in the house, an old A-Cream that was hiding back in the cabinet. It wasn’t perfect either, but looking at it now, I don’t think any deep-conditioning cream would’ve made the cut. That’s how dry your face is going to be.
I did some more research on the other brand, Tebiskin, that the clinic recommended, as well as found it on sale, and decided to purchase the EGF cream. Considering I will probably have to do another TCA peel, I might as well be stocked on moisturizers!

Enerpeel TCA 25% Chemical Peel Review

A few weeks ago I underwent an Enerpeel treatment (TCA peel 25% 2 layers) to smooth out my acne scars before undergoing a Dermastamp treatment. It’s been quite the nervous experience, not knowing how my skin will react. Luckily, both the procedure and recovery went fine. And so, one month later, here’s my final review and thoughts.

Preparing for a TCA Peel

1. Determine if you are a suitable candidate for a TCA peel. TCA peels can have positive impacts on your skin by removing signs of aging and acne. However, there are certain instances when you should not apply a TCA peel. Do not use a TCA peel if you:
   • Have cuts, broken skin, or received a recent facial surgical procedure.
   • Have a sunburn.
   • Have active Herpes simplex 1 sores.
   • Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
   • Have taken Accutane in the last year.
   • Have recently received chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

• Use products that contain alpha hydroxy acids 5-7 days before the peel. In order to prepare your skin for a TCA peel and make the treatment more effective, you should use a face product that contains AHAs, such as glycolic or lactic acids. There are a variety of creams, lotions, and toners available for your skin. Begin using this product approximately five to seven days before applying the peel.

• Read all the instructions provided with the peel. TCA peels can be purchased through online retailers or through a dermatologist. Once you have acquired a TCA solution, you should read and follow all of the instructions provided by the manufacturer. TCA peels can be highly acidic so it is very important that you follow all directions.

• Test the TCA on a small patch of skin. This way you will be able to determine if the acid solution is too strong or if you are allergic to the solution. For example, if you want to apply a TCA peel to your face, you should test a small patch of skin under your ear. This area is out of the way and will not be overly visible if you have a negative reaction. Always test the skin near the area you want to treat.
  • Rinse the test patch of skin once it starts to burn.

• 5Wait 48 hours to apply the peel. This way you will know how the peel will react on your skin. If the spot that was tested becomes itchy, red, or bumpy, you should not apply the peel to your skin. This is likely a sign that you are experiencing an allergic reaction.

Applying a TCA Peel

1. Cleanse your skin. Immediately before you apply a TCA peel, you need to completely clean your skin. If you are applying the TCA peel to your face, you should remove all of your make up. Washing your face will help to remove any surface oils allowing the TCA solution to peel away a layer of skin.

1. Remove surface oils using a prep solution. Some TCA peels will come with a prep solution that should be applied to your skin prior to administering the peel. These solutions help to fully dry out your skin and remove any lingering surface oils.
   • If you did not purchase a prep solution, you can apply witch hazel or diluted rubbing alcohol to your skin using gauze.

1. Apply petroleum jelly around the eyes, mouth, and nose. If you are applying a TCA peel to your face, you want to protect some sensitive areas from the acid. In order to do this, use a cotton swab to apply a bit of petroleum jelly to your lips, and the skin around your eyes and nostrils. This will prevent the acid from damaging these sensitive areas.
   • You may want to wear safety goggles to prevent any TCA solution from dripping into your eyes. You will still have to apply petroleum jelly to your nose and mouth, however.

1. Put on latex gloves. While working with the TCA solution, you want to be careful that the acid does not touch other areas of skin. As a result, you should always wear latex gloves to protect your hands from the acid. This is especially important if you are applying the TCA using gauze because it will likely come into contact with your fingers.

1. Pour the TCA solution into a small dish. Place a small dish on your counter and pour some of the TCA solution into the dish. This will make it easy for you to dip your brush or gauze into the solution while you are applying the TCA to your skin.

1. Use gauze to apply TCA to your skin. Dip a piece of gauze into the TCA solution. Then squeeze the gauze gently. You want the gauze to be wet, but not dripping. This will prevent the solution from running into your eyes. Then apply a thin layer of TCA to the desired area of skin. If you are applying the TCA to your face, you may want to divide the area into sections.
   • For example, start by applying the TCA solution to the right side of your face, then the left side, and do the forehead last. This will help prevent you from overlapping the solution.
   • You can also apply TCA using a makeup brush, but a brush is more likely to cause dripping.

1. Wait 2-5 minutes. Once the solution has been applied to your skin, you should wait approximately two to five minutes. The time will vary depending on the strength of the solution, the number of peels you have performed, and your own skin type. It is normal for your skin to turn red and sting a bit while the peel is on your face.
   • If your skin begins to frost (i.e. turn white) or sting uncomfortably, you should begin neutralizing immediately by washing the solution off with water.
   • This is more likely to occur when using a stronger TCA of 15% or higher.

Removing a TCA Peel

1. Apply a post-peel neutralizer to your skin. If you begin to experience frosting, you should apply a post-peel neutralizer to your skin. This typically comes with the TCA peel kit. Apply the neutralizer to your skin using a gauze or a soft cloth dipped in the neutralizer.
   • You can also make your own neutralizer by mixing 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 and a half cups (355 ml) of water.

• Wash your face with water. After the peel has been on for five minutes, you should wash it off by splashing water onto your face. You can also apply water by dabbing your skin with a wet cloth. This will help to remove the TCA from your skin and will help to neutralize the area.

• Apply a healing ointment. Once your skin is dry, apply a healing ointment to the skin. For example, try using emu oil or Bacitracin to help heal your skin following a TCA peel. You should reapply this solution a few times a day for at least 48 hours following the peel.

Recovering from a TCA Peel

• Use SPF 30 sunscreen to protect your skin. Your skin will likely peel for approximately five to seven days following the procedure and during this time you should avoid exposing your skin to the sun. Make sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher during this time. Remember to reapply every two hours, or more if your skin has gotten wet or sweaty.

• Drink lots of water. TCA peels will dry out your skin. You can replenish the liquids in your skin by drinking lots of water. Try and consume at least eight cups of water per day following the application of a TCA peel.

• Avoid picking at your skin. If you used a stronger TCA solution, you skin will likely peel for a few days following the treatment. Do not pick at your skin. Instead, let it peel on its own. Picking the skin can lead to skin damage.

• Wait 10-14 days for the final results to appear. Do not apply another peel during this time. Although your skin may stop peeling prior to 14 days, the solution is still working on your face and the results will not fully appear for 10-14 days. Once the results are visible, you can determine if another treatment is necessary. TCA peels are quite strong, so if you notice positive results after the first peel, you likely do not need to perform another peel.