Trichloroacetic acid, or TCA, is a chemical agent used to induce skin peeling. It has a variety of uses, one of which is as a method to remove tattoos. According to the TCA Tattoo Removal website, TCA causes a controlled inflammation on the surface of your skin that, over a week's time, causes it to peel and shed. This in turn is supposed to cause the ink in your skin to break apart. There is debate over whether the procedure is safe or if it even works. TatooHealth.org, an information website directed by Cornell University Medical College dermatology professor Dr. Neil Sadick, notes that TCA treatments may fade a tattoo gradually over time, which could remove it altogether, but is more likely to simply make it easier to remove with laser treatments. The chemical process does carry the risk of side effects, and you should only have it done by a licensed professional.
Pain
Because TCA is an acid that is essentially dissolving your skin, you will likely feel some pain during and after the procedure. The Tattoo Removal Institute says you are likely to feel a brief burning sensation, followed by numbness or stinging. The site where the TCA was applied also may be tender for awhile after the procedure. The pain may be worse if you apply TCA to broken or inflamed skin, reports TattooHealth.org.
Redness and Irritation
Your skin will likely be very red and irritated after the TCA procedure and it may blister. The site where the TCA was applied may also swell. These are generally normal healing responses in your skin. You should, however, be on the lookout for any excessive redness, pain, swelling or discharge from the treatment site, as these could be signs of infection.
Skin Color Changes
TCA can cause changes in skin color and tone, making it either lighter or darker. These are often short-term changes that go away with time, although the Tattoo Removal Institute says TCA can cause permanent changes in skin color. Darkening of the skin, called hyperpigmentation, can usually be treated with bleaching, the Tattoo Removal Institute states. Hypopigmentation, in which the skin becomes lightened, is more difficult to treat and may result in a permanent skin color change. Products containing high levels of TCA are more likely to cause hypopigmentation, especially in people with darker skin tones.
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