Help needed from experienced TCA users
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free skin care · Tue Apr 03, 2007 7:54 am

Woman! Hi again. I'd recommend starting slowly with the TCA to see how it agrees with your skin. A perfect starting point, IMO, is to try out some samples of Julie at Perfect Complexion's products. The TCA Complex is mild even compared to 12.5% and the TCA Latte is milder than that. You can start out with those to see how your skin likes TCA. If you're comfortable, then move up to more powerful %s.

I personally am not comfortable going any higher than 20% for spot treating but then I also use it in conjunction w/Super Cop 2x so the two combined, pack a powerful punch. If you are addressing large areas, I think doing both full face as well as spot treatments is the way to go. You can do this:

Treat full face with one layer of 12.5%, then spot treat specific scars.

Don't try this, though, until you get used to using the peels and know exactly what your tolerance is. Always start out at 1 minute, use a timer, and then rinse. Monitor your skin during the next few days, do not use moisturizer and use warm/hot washcloth compresses. Later, you can do like me and apply TCA Latte the nights following your main peel - it helps push it along.

Thu Apr 19, 2007 5:56 pm

I swipe for three minutes and then leave it on. I've been using Glycolic acid 30% for a few years , so my skin is pretty resistant. I started with the one minute swipe and nothing happened except dryness. When Julie said moisturizers would prolong your peel, I thought that meant it would work better but what she means is that it will postpone the peeling, since the dead skin layer will literally hang in there longer. Water is the only thing that has made me peel faster. You know how soaking in the tub makes your skin roll off your body...Julie also says not to use microdermabrasion crystals during a peel, but by day 5 it seems to help me get the dead skin off. I do think everyone has different skin, so you have to play with it.It's confusing to know what she means by "during a peel", but I think once you start the flaking (usually around your mouth) I think it's O.K. to start moisturizing and exfoliating.

free skin care · Fri Apr 20, 2007 5:56 am

Ladies, as I've done quite a few peels, I thought I'd share some insight into a few of Julie's products because I do use them happily (along with others). First off, the TCA Latte is VERY mild. It is no surprise that it's taking a while to actually cause peeling. The emu oil recommendation is typically for more intensive peels to help reduce the inflammation that can be caused by say, a 12.5% TCA. Here's what I do for my "typical" peel:

1) On Wednesday or Thursday, I use the TCA Complex (in 3-4 layers) on prepared skin (cleansed and a glycolic or BHA toner for additional penetration). This is pretty aggressive so I'd recommend tinkering with layers and wait times. I wait 4-5 minutes but started off with 1 layer for 3 minutes (have done many other peels so know my skin). The APeel Correct is stronger than the Complex so you could use that for a more aggressive approach but, again, test, test, and test some more.

2) I do skip use of any moisturizers/cleansers/actives that night of the peel and rinse with water only. I will tell you that Nanci's microdermabrasion cloth at NCN works INCREDIBLY well for cleansing with just water. I love this and use it 2x/day regardless of whether I'm peeling (at night especially to remove all traces of makeup).

3) The following two nights, I use TCA Latte and no moisturizers. I do, however, pick back up with my emu oil somewhere on Saturday or depending on how my skin looks. Julie is correct in that moisturizing WILL prolong your peel time so I avoid it as long as possible.

4) By Saturday, I start peeling and am normally done by Sunday. Since I started using Retin-A .05%, I'm sure that I will peel a lot more when I do one the next time. You should stop using retinoids 3-5 days before you peel so you don't overdo it.

I am very cautious with my peels and have worked up to this level. For my scars, I use the TCA Cross method and this has worked extremely well in minimizing all of my acne scars and others. Every so often, I will do about a 15% TCA on just my cheeks to further help with the scarring and pores. Things are smoothing nicely so this is the plan I will continue to follow. FYI, it also took me awhile to determine that my skin prefers TCA. Glycolic just causes me to flake like crazy, fruit acid is good for any everyday peel and lactic is so-so as it burns like crazy and does a light exfoliation. So, experiment cautiously! HTH.

free skin care · Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:45 am

You're both welcome and glad to be of help!

Heléne wrote:

Oh, another question! Embarassed

Since I've never used copper peptides before, shall I start with the "regular" ("weakest") copper serum?

Yes, I would recommend starting with the weakest formula. You can skip days or dilute to acclimate. I personally dilute as I had a quick reaction but am now comfortably using CP and Super CP Serum.

Quote:

Does "one layer for 3 minutes" mean swiping your face for three mins? Is swiping the process time? Do you rinse your face right after?

Also, I have a few areas of my face where the surface became aligatory, but never peeled. Should I wait and do it again in those areas?

No, what I mean is swiping one layer and leaving it on for 3 minutes, then rinsing off.

Those areas that do not peel probably need another layer so try that to see, if it helps.

free skin care · Fri May 04, 2007 9:38 pm

I really had a very good experience with her last year.

I use her Apeel correct and TCA complex and they are GREAT products.

As for the TCA complex : I just clean my face, rub it afterward with alcohol and apply 2-3 layers of the TCA until skin frosts. I wash my face about 5 minutes afterwards with lots of cold water. then I put CP serum.
First two days I only wash my face once a day and put the cp. Then I start washing twice a day and still put cp until I peel.

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