TCA 8% peel - anyone have success?
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Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:32 pm

I just tried my first TCA peel from MUAC this weekend. I applied it on Saturday and left it on for five minutes (as directed) before neutralizing and moisturizing. It burned like the dickens the full five minutes it was on, and my face felt pretty raw when I neutralized (the baking soda didn't dissolve well, so it felt grainy).

My face felt tight for the next 48 hours. It still feels just a bit tight. And also a little dry but somehow still shiny. However, this is the only affect I have felt. I expected to experience at least some flaking or peeling by today (this is three days later), but nothing. Since it burned so much with one layer, I'm hesitant to try it with two layers, and I would have to wait several weeks before going at it again anyway.

Has anyone tried an 8% home TCA peel before? Was your experience similar? I wonder if I should have just started with 12% but they recommend to start at the bottom and work your way up.

free skin care · Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:52 pm

That all sounds about right. I usually start peeling around day 4 with TCA and will peel for about 7 days.

Since you experienced so much burning with the 8% I'd stick with that for a series of peels and see what kind of results you get.

Regarding the baking soda/water combo, next time try mixing it with some warm water to help it dissolve. Otherwise it can easily turn into a scrub and you don't want to use a scrub after the TCA.

Wed Jul 01, 2009 6:29 am

Thanks, GirlieGirl! That's a great tip on the baking soda. I was so anxious to neutralize I ended up using gobs of the baking soda at the bottom of the mix and it definitely felt more like a scrub (which felt unpleasant, but it killed the burning so I was happy about that).

My doc has suggested V-beam laser because she thinks my patch is more from rosacea than melasma, but I'm hesitant because I'm terrified it will make things worse. So I have ordered the Obagi system as I want to try everything on the planet before I resort to any lasers. Do you know how long after the peel I should wait before starting on Obagi? I'm thinking two weeks. I'm meeting my boyfriend's family this weekend and I'm already worried I'll look like a freak if the peeling kicks in this late, so I'm definitely waiting until next week!

Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:15 pm

I did some 12.5 on my skin, on Tuesday night. On Wednesday morning, because I didn't find any change, I put another layer, but still nothing. This is Thursday night, but still nothing. I m still hoping to start to peel, but my skin looks normal I feel now like I put water on my face instead of acid. I presume I just have a very thick skin...:-/

free skin care · Thu Jul 09, 2009 5:31 pm

I've done a 12% (that's where I started), no peeling for about 3 or 4 days.

In the mean time I used squalane oil for that "tightness."

At the end of 7 days of peeling I used my pumpkin peel to get the rest of the flakys off.

I would be very careful about apply a few days in a row.

It all seems to function a bit like a sunburn. You don't peel immediately unless you've got a 3rd degree burn, and need medical attn. Otherwise, kind of like an annoying sunburn (you only notice it in the shower) the skin peels off a few days later..

free skin care · Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:10 pm

I have had it done with an esthetician and I believe she was using low concentrations on me so that I would consistantly have to come back rather than gradually increasing the TCA solution.

So I stopped going to her and am now going to do it myself at home.

Sr7628, I had the same reaction when I got my very first peel! It was 8%. I don't think you should push the concentration though cause, this is acid we are talking about. The effects are so great, it can easily go wrong.

It is suggested that you stay with a concentrate till you have to go up to 3-8 layers of 5 min downtime until it frosts over. Then you increase the concentration. I would stick to this rule and not push it. I have seen too many girls and guys out there with dark splotches on their faces from either bad peels, no sunscreen afterwards (horrible post peel negligence), or from picking the skin that is coming off.

Your results sound great are are going along protocol. Just as a reminder; never pick the skin that is coming off. Use an antibiotic ointment (neosporin-regular ointment; not the kind that is has an antiseptic with it) on your pink, fresh, peeled areas. For the dry, tight areas, dab (not rub) Auquaphor (original formula) on as needed. And most important...SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN, SUNSCREEN!
This must be followed for two weeks, even if you feel as though the peel did nothing. TCA goes deeper than the glycolics and everything. You never know until days later, how deep the acid went.

Just let your skin do what it has to do. Otherwise, you will look worse than what you did before!

Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:34 am

thanks for the input, everyone! i must have been just a touch too anxious, because i absolutely started flaking on day 4, and day 5 was the worst of it. my skin looked really dull during the week as well.

i am not sure if i noticed much of an improvement after just one 8% TCA peel, but i got in my obagi nu-derm package shortly thereafter, so i have been trying to use that the past week or so. don't think it's a good idea to do any further peels until i give obagi a break, but i do think i will try layering the peel next time for better results.

free skin care · Sat Jul 18, 2009 8:33 pm

I think that, that is a great plan!

free skin care · Mon Jul 20, 2009 4:47 am

Miss Tina wrote:

I think that, that is a great plan!

Miss Tina,

Where did you buy this peel? I've googled it and can't find it.

TIA,

Inky

Wed Jul 22, 2009 7:20 am

I'm not sure where she got hers, but I ordered mine online from MUAC (Makeup Artist Choice). I have ordered a few peels from them and they are very reliable.

free skin care · Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:38 am

sr7628 wrote:

I'm not sure where she got hers, but I ordered mine online from MUAC (Makeup Artist Choice). I have ordered a few peels from them and they are very reliable.

THanks. I ordered 8% and 12.5% yesterday from them.

free skin care · Fri Jul 24, 2009 8:09 pm

Yeah, girls, I got mine from MUAC as well. I called in because I accidentaly ordered the Glycolic vs. the TCA and the woman on the other line was amazing! I was so impressed with the customer service that I ordered more crap! Like I need that in my cosmetic closet! Rolling Eyes

But I am done with my inital two weeks of the TCA and freaking LOVES IT! InkyProse, how are you holding up?

free skin care · Sat Jul 25, 2009 6:33 pm

Miss Tina wrote:

Yeah, girls, I got mine from MUAC as well. I called in because I accidentaly ordered the Glycolic vs. the TCA and the woman on the other line was amazing! I was so impressed with the customer service that I ordered more crap! Like I need that in my cosmetic closet! Rolling Eyes

But I am done with my inital two weeks of the TCA and freaking LOVES IT! InkyProse, how are you holding up?

Hi M.T.

I have my stuff, but I'm trying to build up my courage to use it!!

I got both 8% and 12.5%. I want to treat something under my eye with the 8% and do the rest with 12.5%.

Keep crossing your fingers for me... Shock

free skin care · Sat Jul 25, 2009 7:46 pm

Alright, I will give you some courage!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER (I have mascara and a little powder on!)

I am not kidding. These pictures are not retouched at all and that is really me! My sister just commented on my skin today and said, "Thank God you did that peel. Your skin looks soooooo much better."

She doesn't not hold her tongue with me either. So good luck and be very careful with the healing process. That is the most important!

Good Luck!
Very Happy

free skin care · Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:18 am

Miss Tina wrote:

Alright, I will give you some courage!

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER (I have mascara and a little powder on!)

I am not kidding. These pictures are not retouched at all and that is really me! My sister just commented on my skin today and said, "Thank God you did that peel. Your skin looks soooooo much better."

She doesn't not hold her tongue with me either. So good luck and be very careful with the healing process. That is the most important!

Good Luck!
Very Happy

OH Tina, you look wonderful!!! I'm so happy for you!

OK. I'll test today.

free skin care · Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:42 am

Good luck! Keep me posted with your progress and how you feel! I am the new biggest fan of these peels and love them so I am curious as to how other people react to them. Plus, I quit my big time job as a Director of a school and am going back to school to become a medial aestheticism.

Everyone told me that I was crazy but, I told them I am following my passion.

free skin care · Sun Jul 26, 2009 12:10 pm

Miss Tina wrote:

Good luck! Keep me posted with your progress and how you feel! I am the new biggest fan of these peels and love them so I am curious as to how other people react to them. Plus, I quit my big time job as a Director of a school and am going back to school to become a medial aestheticism.

Everyone told me that I was crazy but, I told them I am following my passion.

Good for you! Where are you taking the courses from?

free skin care · Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:23 pm

I am here in Fort Wayne and am looking at the school Masters of Cosmetology. I would take their 900 hour esthetician course.

free skin care · Fri Jul 31, 2009 2:50 am

Tina,

Well, I did it, the 12.5%.

I'm into day 4 and only have a few flakes of dry skin. I guess I'll wait a few weeks and try it again.

Did I read somewhere that you said that we should apply the TCA until it starts to frost? I only put one coat on. On one place I put 2 coats on and that is the place that is flaking. Should I just apply 2 coats next time or do it until it frosts?

THanks,

Inky

free skin care · Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:23 am

well, the whole flaking theory scares me if people use that as a marker for whether or not your peel is deep enough.

I believe that you are doing it the right way. Start out with one layer then you move up the latter. Don't start at high level, you have more risk for margin of error and extensive scarring.

free skin care · Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:29 am

Miss Tina wrote:

well, the whole flaking theory scares me if people use that as a marker for whether or not your peel is deep enough.

I believe that you are doing it the right way. Start out with one layer then you move up the latter. Don't start at high level, you have more risk for margin of error and extensive scarring.

Ok.

Now, for the next time, do you think I should use 2 coats or just do it until it frosts?

Thanks.

free skin care · Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:00 pm

If you feel comfortable with doing two layers then go for it. From what I read, it bumps up the peel by 25% if you put another layer on after the 5 minutes.

So I say yes! However, if you feel as though it is too much, don't be afraid to neutralize. There is alot that MUAC gives you, so take your time with it.

Mon Aug 03, 2009 9:32 am

Miss Tina - your photos look fantastic! May I ask how you did your peel to achieve such great results? Was it an at home peel, and if so, what was the percentage and how many layers did you do? I didn't get anywhere near those results with one layer of 8%.

free skin care · Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:16 am

Miss Tina wrote:

If you feel comfortable with doing two layers then go for it. From what I read, it bumps up the peel by 25% if you put another layer on after the 5 minutes.

So I say yes! However, if you feel as though it is too much, don't be afraid to neutralize. There is alot that MUAC gives you, so take your time with it.

In retrospect, I would say you are spot on. I should only bump it up by one degree. Caution is best when doing this.

I think you are going to make a fine esthetician. It takes really good horse sense to do this stuff. You should also stay on here (hee hee) and use us as guniea pigs so we can learn from each other. We can help keep you from making some costly mistakes, and you can help us learn. You'll be another grande dame around here, just like Kassy!

Thanks again.

PS. Are you learning about all this from Make Up Alley?

free skin care · Mon Aug 03, 2009 4:57 pm

InkyProse wrote:

Miss Tina wrote:

If you feel comfortable with doing two layers then go for it. From what I read, it bumps up the peel by 25% if you put another layer on after the 5 minutes.

So I say yes! However, if you feel as though it is too much, don't be afraid to neutralize. There is alot that MUAC gives you, so take your time with it.

In retrospect, I would say you are spot on. I should only bump it up by one degree. Caution is best when doing this.

I think you are going to make a fine esthetician. It takes really good horse sense to do this stuff. You should also stay on here (hee hee) and use us as guniea pigs so we can learn from each other. We can help keep you from making some costly mistakes, and you can help us learn. You'll be another grande dame around here, just like Kassy!

Thanks again.

PS. Are you learning about all this from Make Up Alley?

OMG! Haha, I am learning SOOO much from this forum. It is where I spend 75% of my time. Researching, learning about new things. I love it. This forum actually inspired me to quit my job and go back to school to follow my passion. I have always done skincare and mix my own products for a long time as a hobby. My friends all come to me for skincare as well. I just thought; well shoot, this is what I love and am good at. I would love to do this full time!

It is all hit and miss with skincare. What works for me can be horrible for someone else.

As far as my first peel goes; my first real peel was deep. I did a 25% on my own face at home and it took some time to heel from. I was very careful. I have done acid peels before but this was the first TCA peel.

It was very intense and very different than any other peels that I have done. During pre and post peel, I stuck to the rules! I was too scared to take a risk on my face!

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