Over time, dead skin cells, areas of pigmentation, wrinkles and acne scars can leave your skin looking dull and older. An active ingredient in chemical peels is trichloracetic acid--also known as TCA. This peel may be administered by a dermatologist or aesthetician in order to reveal new, fresh skin.
Effectiveness
Trichloracetic acid is a chemical that can be applied to the skin. A TCA peel is considered to penetrate more deeply than the alpha hydroxy acid peels, including glycolic, lactic or citric acid, according to DERMADoctor, a dermatologist-written skincare website. AccuPeel and Obagi Blue Peel both contain TCA as an active ingredient.
Benefits
When applied to the skin, a TCA peel offers a number of benefits. These include reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles, mild scarring, sagging skin and age or sun spots, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. TCA is used in a variety of percentages--the higher the percentage of TCA, the deeper the peel penetrates the skin.
Application
When a high percentage of TCA is applied to the skin, taking an antiviral medication prior to the peel can help to ensure you do not experience a skin infection following treatment. The chemical peel is applied in layers to the skin--up to four layers, according to Facial Plastic Surgery. The peel is typically left on for between 25 and 30 minutes, then wiped away. Because the peel can result in irritation, redness and sun sensitivity, you may take this treatment at most on a monthly basis.
Warning
A TCA peel can negatively affect your facial skin coloring, creating areas of skin that appear discolored, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It's important to discuss such potential side effects with your physician or aesthetician so you understand your risk.
Sensitivity
Because a TCA peel involves peeling away the outer layers of skin, this can leave the skin very sensitive to the sun. Always apply a sunscreen before going outside in order to avoid experiencing a sunburn that can affect your skin's ability to heal following a TCA peel, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
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