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What is a TCA Chemical Peel?
What is a TCA chemical peel? What does the "TCA" stand for?
Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) Peel
Thanks for your question. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is a commonly used agent for chemical peeling and has the potential to decrease the appearance of sunspots and fine lines. Chemical peeling removes the outer layer of skin generating new cell growth and collagen formation that results in younger looking skin. Depending on the concentration and application, TCA peels can target superficial to deeper layers of skin. Generally these concentrations range from 10-50%. In California, TCA peels greater than 20% should only be applied by board certified healthcare professionals specializing in plastic surgery or dermatology and who are experienced with deep chemical peels. These concentration requirements vary from state to state. The concentration Downtime for TCA peels is typically 5-7 days during which time treated skin appears to “slough” off. Patients with darker skin may benefit from pre-treatment with topical retinoids (i.e. Retin-A or Renova) and/or hydroquinone to reduce the risk of post-treatment darkening of the skin, which is the most common side effect. For all skin types extensive measures must be taken to avoid sun exposure after treatment, especially during the first two weeks. I hope this helps.
