Chemical peels including TCA and Glycolic peels are very popular cosmetic procedures especially with young women. We don’t recommend using chemical peels, injectable fillers, or skin lightening products if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Mainly because there are no adequate studies of the effects during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or if you are about to become pregnant.

A safe answer would be to wait at least four months before trying to become pregnant after cosmetic procedures such as peels and injectable fillers, no procedures during pregnancy or while breastfeeding and always ask your OB/Gyn about any products you plan on using. .

Different Types Of Chemical Peels

In the market today, several types of chemical peels exist, each having a quality that makes it unique to the rest. Some of these include:

Alpha hydroxy acid chemical peels – these acids are normally sourced from naturally occurring acids that exist in sugarcane juice, sour milk and tomato juice. The alpha hydroxy acids include such acids as carboxylic acids like glycolic acid and lactic acids. It is one of the mildest chemical peel solutions and it is often used in the treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness on the skin and uneven pigmentation as well as acne. Chemical peel solutions containing these acids are normally mixed normal facial cream and washing solutions as part of the daily treatments.

Often, these chemical peels rely on five fruits acids, which have a myriad of qualities and benefits to the skin. These are: glycolic acid, citric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, and tartaric acid. When used in combination, these acids deliver the expected results in a short time. For instance, while Glycolic acid creates the exfoliation action, lactic acid removes dead skin cells and malic acid opens up the skin pores. As such, together, these acids create the perfect remedy for a variety of skin conditions.

Trichloroacetic acid chemical peels – TCA is an acronym that stands for trichloroacetic acid, which is a key component of the TCA peels. TCA peels are normally manufactured in different strengths ranging from 20% to 50%. The depth of penetration that is offered by a particular TCA peel solution usually varies; going deeper as the concentration of the chemical peel solution increases. However, a concentration level in these TCA peels that exceeds 35% is not recommended since this can very easily lead to scarring instead of treating the skin.

The TCA chemical peels are normally preferred by darker skin people and at times require preparation before use. In addition, repeat treatments are usually necessary to maintain the result over a ling period of time. Furthermore, patients are usually required to apply sunscreen on their bodies for several months as the treatment sets in. The process of healing after the use of these chemical peel solutions normally varies depending on the depth of the treatment.

Retinoic acid peel – this is a type of retinoid that is normally deeper than most treatments. The retinoic acid peel is commonly used in spa treatments and plastic surgery to remove scars and take care of wrinkles as well as pigmentation problems. Often, the process is undertaken together with the Jessner’s peel to prepare the skin for the process. The patient leaves the facility with the treatment on their face since peeling begins on the 3rd day.

How TCA Chemicals Peel Work

The TCA chemical peel has a very simple way of working. It causes sloughing, which is a term that is used to remove the top layers of skin. After the outer layer of the skin has been removed, the remaining layer is usually left very smooth. The superficial wrinkles that occur on the skin are normally eliminated and the color of the skin restored. Over the years, the TCA peels have been used in the treatment of facial skin wrinkles, dark age spots and pigment abnormalities. It has also been used in the treatment of other superficial facial skin problems like sun damaged skin. However, the treatment does not only work for the face, but also other parts of the body such as the hands. Through the use of these TCA peels, you can use this special based formula to rejuvenate yourself periodically.
The process of usage is very easy since the treatment does not require any preparations before application. It can be applied directly on the skin and used in the same format as plug and play flash drives. After application, the TCA chemical dries up the outer skin making it easy for this outer layer to peel off. The chemical peels normally allow for a seamless transition from the scaly or old skin to the new layers. After application, the treatment is usually left on the skin for about 15 to 30 minutes; during this period, the skin may experience mild irritation as the chemical peel solution works its magic. Afterwards, a post peel solution is applied on the skin blasting about 15 more minutes. In essence, in about 30 minutes to one hour, your skin will be left very taut and with a feeling of renewal. This is what makes the individual look a little refreshed and younger. For people with a host of skin problems, or for those seeking out a particular look, then more than one TCA peel solution may be required. It is advisable to seek out professional help in cases when you are not sure of the adaptability of these chemical peels to your skin type. However, the chemical peel solutions are normally manufactured in such a way that they are adaptable to various skin types. In this way, they can be used by people with different skin conditions. The fact that it is easy to use, requiring no anesthesia or sedation, makes this treatment one of the leading skin treatments in the world.

There is no person who doesn’t want to look good. A person may look good from afar but may not look that good when you are near him or her. Of course, any individual wants to look good no matter the distance with which someone is looking at. Particularly, the person looking often notices the face, and more often than not, the person notice the imperfections first. Evidently, there is a need to ensure better outcomes when it comes to our faces. A woman needs to maintain the skin using a skin care regimen. However, this article maintains that regular cleansing and moisturizing of the skin is usually not enough. Sometimes, a person, especially a woman whose facial skin is very vulnerable, needs to use treatments that are more radical. These treatments are used to achieve the results that can really make a difference.

Chemical peel treatments are used for mending the skin. Chemical peels are generally effective despite the severity of the skin imperfection. Chemical peels can improve the overall appearance of the skin through reducing wrinkles, evening out the skin tone and removing pigmentation. There are also chemical peels which can unclog the pores and thus reduce and prevent acne and eventually acne scars.

While light chemical peels are not expected to improve the skin dramatically, with overtime use, this can also lead to significant improvements more so when the skin imperfections are rather minor. Of all the chemical peels, light peels can be used on a regular basis like weekly or bi-weekly. The use of light chemical peels can yield to healthier facial skin after it completely removed the dead skin cells. However, since it is light, improvements may be apparent after several sessions.

If you have deep acne scars and other blemishes or other serious skin problems, stronger peels like TCA chemical peel should be used. The effects of medium-depth peels are much better and usually last longer than that of the light chemical peel. TCA peel can be easily applied and the effectiveness of such a peel can manifest in minutes though recovery period is required. It is only after each peel that you will know how effective TCA chemical peeling can get. Put simply, you will never be disappointed when you use TCA peel in caring for your skin.

Skin Care Using Chemical Peel

How Retin A can help Age Spots

Aging is inevitable and before you know it, you are struggling to fight the many different signs of aging. The problem with aging is that the signs usually show up on the face in the form of dark blotches or as they are often referred to as age spots. You might notice that people have this way of telling a person’s age by looking at his or her face. For some, a person’s age cannot be denied because of the fine lines, wrinkles and spots in the person’s face. The good news is that there are many skin care products that can actually defy various signs of aging and

Retin A cream

is one of those skin care products. There are skin tightening creams that you may use to reduce visible wrinkles and lighten spots. Have you wonder how these anti-aging creams work?
Age spots and other skin aging symptoms are basically caused by excessive exposure to the sun. What people did not know is that even casual exposures to the sun may lead to age spots. People are continuously exposed to the sun though they might claim that they do not usually stay under the sun. Such long-term exposure will definitely take its toll on your skin eventually, damaging the natural melanin production of the skin. Melanin, which is responsible in giving our skin color, is produced when we are exposed to the sun. Overproduction of melanin thereby leads to darker skin. Melanin could be produced excessively in some areas but not necessarily on other areas, explaining blotches and spots.
Skin creams work in two ways. It can either inhibit melanin production or mimic the skin’s color. Age spot creams kill the cells that produce melanin inside the spots. On the other hand, these creams fade the dark melanin to mimic the color of the skin surrounding the age spots. Some of the age spot creams contain arbutin which can stop clustering of the melanin. As such, without melanin, age spots will fade. Further, these creams contain bleaching agent to lighten the spots.
You have to know how to properly apply the creams so that you may effectively remove age spots. Exfoliation is one of the significant processes. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells in the area, allowing the cream of penetrating more deeply onto the skin. Next, you have to apply the cream on the age spot, rubbing it on circular motion. The cream has to be absorbed by the skin. Make sure that cream will cover the spot entirely. Keep applying the skin in lieu with the instructions on the label. If you have exfoliated the area effectively, results could be seen in less than two weeks. If there are no visible results after the period, then you have to try creams with stronger formulation.

Retin A

cream can effectivly help to treat your dark age spots.

Treat dark age spots with Retin A cream

How to Treat Acne Scars While at Home

Acne is a common dermatological problem especially among the teenagers. In fact, about 80% of the teenagers find themselves battling acne. Many of these teenagers will recover from this skin condition with any permanent effect. However, some are left continually battling with their acne scars. There are various skin care medications intended for acne scars, the most common of which is chemical peels.

If you are going to have a dermatologist to treat your acne scars, you might have to shed a lot of money. The good news is that chemical peel treatment can be administered in your own home. The chemical is treated as the exfoliating agent which can be applied on the affected area. Chemical peels vary in intensity as well as in its effect depending on the severity of acne and the amount that should be applied on the area. The extent of needed peeling should be also considered.

Trichloracetic acid (TCA) chemical peels, for instance, could effectively remove acne scars more so since it uses the same acids that dermatologists use. TCA is one of the strongest chemicals that you may use in treating acne scars. It can lead to severe peeling after just two days of use. Nevertheless, you will not experience any pain since the dead skin cells are the part being removed. You may experience redness and irritation though more so when you do not know how to properly apply chemical peels.

With this, you have to educate yourself on how to properly administer chemical peeling at home. If not, you will end up battling more scars due to inappropriate application than having your acne scars removed. TCA chemical peels, while it may be the strongest, are also available in weaker solutions. You might start using the latter if you have overly sensitive skin. You also have to be prepared with irritation. One of the side effects of using chemical peel is a slight burning sensation. This should disappear in about a couple of hours after application.

You need not wait for your acne to take an alarming proportion before you have to treat it. The most effective way of treating acne scars is actually preventing acne from occurring. Remember the mantra that prevention is better than cure. Indeed, it would be better to address acne at the onset than later when they are already unresponsive to different treatments.

What TCA Is and How Effective It Is in Removing Tattoo

Trichloroacetic acid, or simply TCA, refers to a skin peeling chemical in reducing and removing acne scars and wrinkles and other skin condition. TCA also aids in removing tattoo. Nevertheless, its effectiveness in removing such is not yet established. It is the goal of this article to discuss what makes TCA a very effective tattoo removal method.

TCA is continuously tested in laboratories to determine how it can help in further fading and removing the tattoo entirely though it was already proven that it can do such. However, not all people are convinced of this. What these people did not know is that even before the introduction of laser tattoo removal treatments, tattoos were actually removed using chemicals. TCA is just one among the chemical agents that dermatologists used. The increasing popularity of TCA removal is because of the costliness of laser removal method hence TCA is an alternative.

If you are wondering if it can be used along with laser treatments, the answer is yes. After a laser treatment or two, you can eventually resort to using TCA in fading your tattoo, saving you from the cost of the laser treatment. Definitely, if TCA is able to completely get rid of the tattoo then there would be no need for a laser treatment. Evidently, TCA can be administered either pre- or post-laser treatment. However, this will depend on the size of the tattoo. Small tattoos, further, can be removed in a few months. You may have to do large tattoos in parts though.

The effectiveness of TCA is due to the promotion of turnover of the skin cells, causing peeling of the skin where TCA is placed. The tattooed area is slowly covered by new skin cells when they form. This is why tattoos are lightened and entirely removed in the process.

Further, one of the most common concerns of the people is whether TCA is painful or not. The application of TCA is not a painful method though minor skin irritation may be experienced especially during the first few days of application. This is a normal skin reaction though and should go away eventually. Since it is chemical, you will definitely experience pain if you will apply TCA on inflamed or wounded skin. You may take pain medications before you apply TCA on the tattooed area.

How to Treat Acne Using Azelaic Acid

The use of azelaic acid is one among the many options that the acne sufferer may use in treating this skin condition. Azelaic acid is available over the counter and through the prescription of the dermatologist. Here are some information that you have to know about azelaic acid.

Azelaic acid is made from rye, barley and wheat, all of which are naturally grown grains. Animals and human are also capable of producing this acid. We actually produce azelaic acid though in very little amount. Azelaic acid is mainly used in treating acne and rosacea especially those that are from mild to moderate in condition.

Azelaic acid, further, has antimicrobial property hence it can kill bacteria proliferating in our skin. Bacterial proliferation is one of the leading causes of acne. While azaleic acid keeps the pores clean, it can also prevent the bacteria in coming back. Preventing bacteria is critical especially if you have oily skin. Acne is actually caused by excessive oil production, blocking the skin pores in the process. Such blockage can allow bacteria, specifically the Propionibacterium acnes, to grow which results to acne. Put simply, the development of acne may be stopped when you remove the bacteria. 

The Procedure of a Chemical Skin Peel

It is always best to perform a patch test before a peel is done to determine the reaction of a chemical towards your skin. Everyone’s skin might not necessarily work in the same way, at least towards your skin. 25% TCA concentration works for most skin types. But a solution weaker than 25% might be required for your skin. Using a solution which is too strong may result in darkening of the skin and scarring. Stronger is not necessarily better with skin peels. A full facial treatment with high concentration of 50% is not recommended at all. It can only be used for spot issues like acne scars, warts, moles, and tattoos. Again, metal bowls or utensils must not be used for mixing. Whenever you do a patch test you must do it exactly the way you do a complete peel. You must keep it moist with an ointment and keep it away from the sun for a week or so. There are a number of factors come into play, such as allergies, previous peels, etc. You are the one who is finally responsible for what happens to you.

Cleanse the skin properly with a mild cleanser and remove all oils from the surface of the skin. To protect your eyes, you can apply a little bit of ointment around the eyes to protect the area. A 25% average strength solution is. Using too strong a solution on your skin may lead to scarring or discoloration. You must be careful not to get the solution too close to your eyes as the skin around the eyes is a lot thinner. After the patch test is completed, apply an even coat of the TCA peel using a cotton swab. The skin is likely to burn a fair bit. The treated skin should turn frosty very soon. If it doesn’t happen, apply a second coat. The frost indicates that the TCA solution is penetrating the skin and working the way it is supposed to. The solution is supposed to be left on the skin depending on the type of skin, and the results desired. Rinse the area with cool water and gently apply a compress. You must not rub the area as it is very sensitive. A neutralizer is not necessary, but if you have one at hand, you can use it. The treated area will look pinkish after the treatment is done. Apply a thin coat of protective antibacterial ointment to prevent any infection. The skin is likely to feel a lot better during this time, even though a slight burning sensation is likely to persist for quite a bit of time.

Taking care of your peeling skin is necessary, and a good sunscreen should be enough, although ideally, you should avoid any exposure to the sun at all. This is the basic process of how a TCA peel is performed, but you will be well advised to go to a proper specialist to get the chemical peel treatment done for yourself.

Complications Are Not Uncommon

Chemical peeling usually results in a different improvement in the quality of body skin, whether it is your face or any other part of the body. But this kind of treatment also has its potential complications. Complications are generally attributed to the depth of wounding, with deeper peels providing more marked results and a higher possibility of complications. Complications are a lot more likely with darker skin types and different peeling agents.

The condition of Erythema generally reduces within two months but may be prolonged and even be manifested as hyper pigmentation. Patients taking oral contraceptive pills, exogenous estrogens, or other photosensitizing medications are at a much higher risk. Application of topical hydrocortisone lotion or a short course of systemic steroids may take you back to the previous resolution. Other treatment options for hyper pigmentation include trans-retinoic acid, glycolic acid, or hydroquinone. Oral antihistamines can treat accompanying pruritus.

After a chemical peel is done, the skin stays very sensitive to the sun, which could also be a source of hyper pigmentation. Patients should be instructed to use sunscreen daily for about a year following a chemical peel. Patients should also be taught how to apply camouflaging makeup without damaging your skin. The reason for hypo pigmentation is the result of melanocyte inhibition or destruction. Melanocytes do not possess the ability to regenerate or to divide. Hypo pigmentation is very frequent when phenol is used as a peeling agent, which may lead to many abandoning phenol in favor of other agents. Hypo pigmentation is substantially more noticeable on patients with darkly pigmented skin.

Hypo pigmentation could be quite difficult to assess till the condition of erythema has subsided, at a point where the condition could unfortunately become permanent. The line of demarcation between treated and untreated skin is always quite noticeable. If you look at a person who hasn’t been treated yet, you will be able to see the wrinkles and the stray marks all over, and when the peel is done, suddenly everything looks so much clearer. The peel may be feathered at a line which demarcates a peel which is done with natural shadowing to create a smooth transition zone. This can be performed by using a less concentrated peel or by applying less of the peel in these areas. Camouflage makeup can also conceal these differences in pigmentation.

If the healing gets delayed, it may lead to hypertrophic scarring, a terrible complication requiring close follow-up and fast, early treatment. Topical or intralesional steroids, silicone sheeting, pressure application, and scar massage are possible solutions to improve outcomes. Even scar excision or dermabrasion may be necessary in a few cases of unsatisfactory results. Infectious complications are unusual but also demand vigilance constant monitoring along with oral and topical antibiotics. Pseudomonas infections are usually treated by washing the face with equal parts of water and distilled vinegar. Herpes exacerbations are checked with oral and topical acyclovir until it gets better. Most of these lesions respond quickly to such treatment and hardly cause any scarring.