Get the Best Results from a TCA Chemical Peel

After deciding to get a TCA chemical peel, you want to ensure you get the best results from the procedure. Medium chemical peels may be repeated several times throughout the year, but should not be done on a regular basis. For this reason, it is vital to make sure you can get the most out of each TCA chemical peel you have.

The best way to ensure you are getting the optimal return on your chemical peel is to have the right expectations before the peel is administered. TCA peels are best for removing fine surface wrinkles, superficial blemishes and pigmentation problems. The best candidate for a TCA chemical peel is a man or woman who wants to address skin problems, needs better results than light chemical peels can provide and does not have the time to devote to an extended recovery period usually associated with deeper chemical peels or facelifts. Clients should be in good physical health and have a good understanding of what will happen during the procedure.

Most TCA peels take 15 to 60 minutes to complete. After the chemical solution is applied to the skin, it will be left to reach the appropriate depth. At this point, the solution can be neutralized. If the client feels any kind of discomfort, an ice and saline solution can be applied to the skin. Clients may want to apply a thin layer of Vaseline or an ointment to speed the healing process.

The skin will be red for a few days following the peel. Soon it will become stiff and begin to peel, much like sunburns. This process will be complete in approximately four to seven days. At the end of the peeling process, there will not be open wounds or scabs; instead the client will be left with vibrant and fresh skin.

The skin’s reaction to a TCA peel is dependent on the client’s skin type and the peel strength. Clients who are especially susceptible to acne may experience a breakout during the healing period, but this breakout will disappear shortly. A severe reaction to TCA peels is unusual, but clients who experience any reaction that concerns them should visit a doctor or dermatologist.

TCA chemical peels are not a permanent fix for facial problems. New fine lines and wrinkles will eventually reappear on the face. At this point, a maintenance chemical peel may be required. In many cases maintenance chemical peels do not have to be TCA peels, instead an Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) chemical peel may be sufficient. Clients will probably need to undergo multiple peels before they are completely satisfied with the final result. The number of treatments a client has depends on his or her individual goals, condition of the skin and other factors.

TCA chemical peels are one of the best ways to erase the signs of aging on our faces. To ensure you will receive the best results when your chemical peel is administered, make sure you understand exactly what a chemical peel will do and what it will not do. Peels are not permanent fixes, but can give your skin a temporary vitality boost. When you have a good understanding about the process and expected results, get ready for your skin to take on a fresh, new look.

Make Your TCA Chemical Peel Last Longer

Keeping our skin looking young and vibrant can be a challenge, but TCA chemical peels may be the edge you need. These chemical peels will correct acne scars, improve uneven pigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles as well as improve skin tone and texture. There are numerous benefits to TCA chemical peels and you can take steps to take advantage of those benefits longer.

TCA chemical peels are more dramatic than Alph hydroxy acid (AHA) or light chemical peels, and they require a shorter recovery time than deep phenol chemical peels. TCA peels penetrate the skin to remove damage and promote collagen growth. These chemical peels are also good for “spot treatments”.

TCA peels are applied in the same manner as light and deep chemical peels. The skin is cleansed before the treatment begins to remove any makeup or oil residue. The chemical peel solution is then applied and left on the skin for the appropriate amount of time. When the peel reaches the correct depth, it will be neutralized. Often, clients will choose to apply a thin layer of Vaseline or a steroid-based ointment to jump-start the healing process.

A few days following the procedure, the skin will begin to peel and flake. The reaction is similar to what happens after a sunburn. Clients should allow the skin to peel naturally and not pull or pick at it. Pulling the skin off could cause permanent scarring. If the peeling is uncomfortable or causes itching, a light moisturizing cream should be able to take care of the problem.

The entire healing process will take approximately two weeks. Do not rush this process! If it takes longer than two weeks, be patient. It is important to allow the skin to heal naturally and only begin your usual skin care regime after the face is completely healed. Rushing the process can result in irritation and uneven healing. Using AHA creams and hypoallergenic moisturizers about seven to ten days after the peel will decrease your recovery time.

If possible, try to stop smoking while you heal from your TCA chemical peel. Nicotine and cigarette smoke will hamper the healing process by constricting blood veins and keeping nutrients from reaching the face. If completely quitting is not possible, reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke as much as you can.

Staying out of the sun will also increase the effectiveness of your TCA chemical peel. The sun’s UV rays can cause serious damage to your skin, especially directly after a chemical peel. Try to reduce your sun exposure for about two months following the chemical peel. When sun exposure cannot be avoided, wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen or carry an umbrella to protect your sensitive skin. Overexposure to the sun could cause serious damage and darken your skin.

You may need a few TCA peels to achieve your facial rejuvenation goals, but you can start seeing subtle results after your very first peel. To make the effects of your chemical peel last longer, consider following our post-procedure tips. They will make your chemical peel more effective and allow you more time in between procedures.

TCA Peels or Dermabrasion – Which is Right for You?

We all want to look our very best, but deciding the right way to do that is not easy. TCA chemical peels and dermabrasion are just two ways men and women try to regain their youthful looks. On the surface, these to procedures seem similar however there are important differences clients should be aware of before choosing the procedure for them.

Dermabrasion is a mechanical peel that uses crystals and suction to exfoliate the skin. A small, rapidly spinning wheel with a fine grain surface – almost like sandpaper – is moved across the face to remove age spots, blemishes and scars. Usually dermabrasion is only used on problem spots on the face, rather than the entire face. If you want to give a fresh look to your entire face, dermabrasion is not the right choice.

Chemical peels, including TCA peels, use chemicals to exfoliate the face and remove dead skin cells. The peel will be applied to the face, allowed to reach the appropriate depth and then neutralized. The client’s face will begin to peel for four to seven days after the chemical peel is applied. Once the peeling is complete, the client will be left with brand new, beautifully refreshed skin. For clients who want a fresh look for their entire face, TCA peels are the perfect choice.

Both dermabrasion and TCA chemical peels are used to fix superficial problems on the face, including acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and large pores. Since both procedures resurface the skin, it is vital to choose only one. Having both a chemical peel and dermabrasion can cause serious scarring.

One of the biggest advantages of choosing chemical peels is they allow the client to decide how strong of treatment he or she will receive. Dermabrasion has only one strength, but chemical peels come in light, medium and deep strengths. These different chemical peel depths allow the client to target specific problems on his or her face. With only one depth, the client is left to hope it is enough to solve the problem without the treatment going too deep.

The effectiveness of dermabrasion and chemical peels differs greatly. Dermabrasion will not show results until after six to twelve sessions. Each of these sessions must occur at least two weeks apart or the client may experience scarring. The dermabrasion sessions must be repeated every two to three months for maximum effectiveness. Medium chemical peels can be applied every few months and their effects may last up to one year.

Dermabrasion and TCA chemical peels may seem similar, but there are important differences between the two procedures. Many chemical peels use natural ingredients to remove dead skin from the entire face, while dermabrasion uses a sandpaper-like substance to target specific problem spots. Chemical peels can remain effective much longer than dermabrasion and allow clients to choose the perfect peel depth to solve their skin woes. When looking at the benefits of chemical peels and dermabrasion, the choice to have a chemical peels are made simple!

Prepare for Harsh Winter Weather with a Chemical Peel

            The temperature is dropping and holiday decorations are starting to appear all over the nation – that can only mean one thing – dry winter skin will soon be here.  Don’t just deal with this irritating skin problem this year, instead get a chemical peel to make sure your skin is ready for whatever winter throws at you!

            Dry skin during the winter is caused by low humidity.  When you are at home and at work, you probably have a heater running.  While heaters are great to keep you warm, they will also effectively dry out your skin.  In many cases, moisturizers will not be enough to keep your skin vibrant and looking fresh. 

            Dry skin will make fine lines and wrinkles more visible, as well as increase the feel that your skin is flaky.  It is most common on your arms and legs, but can happen anywhere.

            Your dry skin can cause a number of problems, but itchiness is by far the worst!  It can become so distracting that it interrupts your sleep and social activities.  Repeated scratching can cause rough and thick skin to form as well as the appearance of painful cracks in the skin – with repeated scratching you could even cause an infection!

            Healthy skin has a number of layers, and the outermost layer is responsible for keeping water in your skin.  It usually consists of dead cells and natural oils that keep water from escaping your body and stop germs from entering your body.  From a beauty standpoint, this layer keeps our skin looking smooth and pliable.  Dry skin occurs when this layer does not get enough water and protective oils begin to escape.  This can be caused by harsh weather conditions, washing the area with too much soapy water and the normal aging process.  As the outer layer of skin dries, it shrinks and creates small cracks.  These cracks allow germs and irritants to enter our skin and come into contact with the lower layers.

            Chemical peels are an effective treatment for dry skin because they can remove the damaged outer layer and allow the healthy skin below to be visible.  Chemical peels stimulate our skin’s natural regeneration process and effectively remove layers of skin have been damaged by harsh weather while encouraging the growth of collagen and elastin.  These natural substances will help our skin stay hydrated to retain its form and shape. 

            Dry skin does not have to just be something you deal with every winter.  By getting a chemical peel before the harsh weather sets in – or after it has damaged your skin – you are allowing yourself the best chance to have beautiful skin no matter what is happening outside your window.