| Author |
Message |
|
|
 |
Fri Mar 09, 2007 7:12 pm  |
I'm posting my experiences and my progress here to help others thinking about this peel and also as a record. 
I had this procedure because I wanted smoother skin and to try and help smooth out the acne scar I have on my left cheek. There is a lot of pigmentation around this scar so it makes it look deeper.
Morning of (Wednesday): 2 Tramacet's an hour before the procedure and 2 Sublingual Ativan 15 minutes prior.
Dr did nerve blocks above each brow, and in each cheek, then inside my mouth on each side. Honestly this was breeze aside from the one on my right cheek. It really hurt.
The actual peel did not hurt at all. Stung for sure, like putting alcohol on freshly shaved skin, but surprisingly I didn't find this to be very intense. It was definitely very warm. Dr started at the forehead and worked his way down. The whole thing took about 25 minutes and I was given a prescription for Percocet (I asked for it) and Neostrata Post Peel cream.
Immediately after: My face was swollen and I couldn't talk very well. My face wasn't really that red...it was rather white.
Went home and took a few things to ease me into sleep, since I have to sleep sitting up for the first few days. Still, I'm not in any real pain.
I was instructed to do vinegar washes 4 times a day. This actually stung a little on certain areas.
Day 2 (Thursday): The skin turns brown. The only way to describe how this looks is like horribly applied self tanner. Really! I'm in no pain at all, but I am still a little swollen. No peeling at all.
Day3 (Friday): My skin is very pink and the areas around my mouth are peeling. Not flakes, we're talking sheets. Hard not to pick them. No pain, but being covered in vaseline all day is not fun!
Some of my skin is actually normal toned, particularly the areas around my jaw. The rest are still quite red, but the brown has faded. The acne scar is actually gone, but this is most likely due to swelling. The pigmentation around it is gone though!
Just a side note: I had a micropeel with Erbium laser in October and the laser actually hurt much more than this. I was redder for longer and actually in pain during and after the procedure. Having my laser treatment was like shaving your face in the Sahara desert with a very dull razor. TCA is a walk in the park by comparison.
Feel free to ask any questions. I will update every day, or whenever something changes.
Thanks for reading! |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Mar 10, 2007 8:49 am |
They say about 2 weeks.
Dr said I could do another treatment 1 month after fully healing if I wanted, but I doubt I will need it.
Update: My whole face is very tight and skin kind of looks like a blistered sunburn, really white/red and if I touch it, it crinkles. It isn't peeling, but it is REALLLLY ready. I'm in no pain. It is crazy how fast it happened. Overnight, my face turned incredibly tight and dry. It's so neat!
The whole mouth area is literally peeling off in sheets though. The rest is just staying put and is really dry. I can't wait until it peels.
The skin underneath is SO smooth, and a pinkish color.
The skin is so tight that I can't eat too much. Oh well, coffee it is. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Mar 10, 2007 10:08 pm |
Day 4 Update: My skin is shedding quite a bit now.
It's still red but the skin has started to detach and so it's a lot less tight. Earlier this morning it took effort to gently sip coffee and now I can actually eat.
Today is the the first day I could shower but I left my face alone. After I got out I soaked a facecloth in tepid water and pressed it to my skin. That really helped remove some of the skin and relieve some of the tightness.
I applied a thin layer of the neostrata cream as well.
I am very impressed with what I see. Like I mentioned earlier, I had laser resurfacing. Even immediately after the procedure (laser) I could see my scarring. A few days after this procedure, and I can't see it at all...I'm feeling pretty hopeful. Time will tell.
Oh, I forgot to mention that my skin actually stinks. All the peeling skin and vaseline doesn't make for a nice smelling combo. It's not completely vile, but it's noticeable. I noticed the same smell when I had laser resurfacing.
Thanks for reading! |
|
|
|
|
|
Sat Mar 10, 2007 11:40 pm |
I wish I had the option of being reluctant to leave. LOL!
I'm pretty much confined to the house.
Even when I wasn't peeling, my skin was coated with a thick layer of goop and exposure to the sun/elements is an absolute no.
I've taken time off school and have someone to take care of me and go out and get me coffee, etc.
I'm starting to get cabin fever, but other than that it's going great.
To anyone reading and considering this treatment, just keep in mind it's not a lunchtime procedure. |
|
|
|
|
|
Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:17 am |
Annachan, the only tips I have are the basics: prep the skin at least a week before w/alpha hydroxy products (I was using Environ's strongest glycolic toner),put the TCA on evenly (this is why I had to get help),avoid the sun, don't pick and peel off the shedding skin. If the directions say to avoid frosting, have a rag and the neutralizing solution ready to go to spot treat parts that begin to frost.
My first TCA was almost a year ago, and I think it took between 10-12 days before I was done shedding. The first time we did two layers of 12.5% (hth Lisey  ) but I didn't keep it on more than 3 minutes. I had the most peeling that time, as we did only one layer the following 2 times. I think there was about a 10% improvement in my scarring each peel. I know some people want 100% improvement after one treatment but I'm personally really happy I took it slow (specially after reading Julie's philosophy over at Perfect Complexion).
Annachan I honestly don't know how the 15% is going to work out for you because it seems that everyone has a different experience. However, my mom used the 12.5% for the same reasons you are trying to address and thought she needed something stronger. So maybe you will see better results with the 15%?
I didn't mean to hijack DalGuy's thread  I have been following this thread because I want another TCA and was contemplating getting a stronger one. Still very interested in how Dalguy is doing! |
_________________
28 Fair skin, brown hair, blue eyes & acne prone combo skin |
|
|
|
| Sun Feb 16, 2025 5:21 am |
If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.
Click Here to join our community.
If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site. |
|
 |
|
|
