Trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, is used for cosmetic skin peels in dermatology offices and is also available for home use. Mild skin peels using TCA involve at-home kits available online and at beauty supply stores. If you're buying a TCA home peel kit online, buy only from a reputable seller to ensure that you're purchasing a safe product.
Step 1
Perform a patch test on the elbow before starting a full facial peel. Apply a small amount of acid solution to your elbow and leave it for two minutes. Apply neutralizer to the area and gently wash off. Examine the test area several times over the next 24 hours for reactions such as hives or burns. Once you're satisfied that no reaction will occur, you may proceed with your facial peel.
Step 2
Wash your face thoroughly with a gentle face cleanser to remove dirt and makeup. The skin should be clean and patted dry before you apply TCA solution.
Step 3
Put on gloves and apply TCA solution with a cosmetic brush to the forehead and chin. The cheeks are more sensitive and should be treated last during TCA application. Do not apply solution near the eyes. Use an upward motion to apply the solution.
Step 4
Apply neutralizer to the skin after two to five minutes. The set time for TCA solution depends on the solution strength; lower strengths may require longer wait times. Blot the entire treatment area with a cotton ball soaked in neutralizer.
Step 5
Clean the face using a mild facial cleanser to remove the TCA solution and neutralizer. Pat the skin dry. Avoid rubbing, which may irritate the skin and cause a rash.
Step 6
Apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the face to add moisture and help jump-start the healing process. Apply petroleum twice a day after cleansing until the skin has healed. This normally takes about two weeks.
Tips and Warnings
- Use alpha hydroxy products for a week before your peel to prepare your skin. Don't use the products the day you perform your at-home peel.
- Don't buy peels that are more than 20 percent TCA. Products with higher TCA content should be administered by a dermatologist, because they can cause severe chemical burns when not professionally monitored.
Things You'll Need
- Gentle face cleanser
- Clean towel
- Trichloroacetic acid solution
- Neutralizer solution
- Applicator brush
- Petroleum jelly
- Antibiotic ointment
- Gloves
- Cotton swabs
- Alpha hydroxy cleanser and lotion
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