Q: How long do I expect the ugly peeling to take place after getting TCA peel treatment?
A: It really depends on (1) the percentage of the peeling agent (2) your skin's sensitivity to the chemicals (thin vs thick epidermal layers) and (3) the method by which your derma applied the TCA peeling agent.
Different strokes for different folks. But on the average, the ugly peeling starts to be visible on Day 4 (my sister-in-law experiences large chunks of peeling skin as early as Day 2! See what I mean by different folks, diff'rent strokes?) and is completely gone after a week or a little over that.
Let's look at the factors affecting the length of time at which you'll start seeing the TCA peeling effect:
(1) percentage of the peeling agent. the first time I ever had TCA, I was given 40%. TCA peels are normally done at 20 to 30%. Now, does it mean that the higher the %age, the quicker it is for your peeling to commence? Yes, to some degree. We'll have to consider factor 2.
(2) your skin's sensitivity to the chemicals. The thinner your skin is (meaning, the faster it naturally exfoliates or remove the dead skin cells), the better the chemicals will seep through the skin. And so, if you have 20-30% TCA agent on your thin skin, you are most likely to peel "on-time".
(3) the method by which your derma applied the TCA peeling agent. In my experience, there is maximum peeling on Day 4 or 5 post-TCA treatment when there is no rinsing involved. Rinsing happens when the skin turns outrageously red from the solution and the derma has to subdue the chemical's effect by cooling the skin with iced water. If your derma's very familiar with your skin already, you have higher chances of getting an optimum TCA application. Another good method is to let the skin reach its frosted state when applying the solution (you may ask your derma about it). In my case, my derma patiently waits till the frosting of the skin comes up. You don't ask the derma to put a thicker amount of solution (unless you want to increase the risk of burns). You want her to go by her method until she reaches the frosted state.
Whew, that sure was long! And I haven't even discussed my timeline!
Day 1: sunburned look, may still mingle without being too conscious
Day 2: sunburned look, skin starts to become taut and a cling wrap-like thing starts to form on top of the face (but can still mingle without being too conscious)
Day 3: my skin really looks ugly. i feel like i've aged drastically. the cling-wrapped face is more obvious (start thinking about whether you want to mingle with others)
Day 4: peeling begins.
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| Day 4 post-TCA peel |
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| Day 4: TCA peel photo under different lighting |
Day 5: peeling on most parts of the face. peak of peeling.
Day 6: the old skin easily washes off when cleaning the face. peeling tones down and are only seen on the sides of the face (others will notice that you're still peeling). you'll appreciate the baby pink and smooth condition of your newly peeled skin against the peeling old skin.
Day 7: minimal peeling happening. okay to wear makeup (but i suggest you don't! enjoy the beauty of a baby pink skin! i actually can't stop looking at my face at this point, and sometimes on Day 6). go out and mingle! you've been living under the rock already!
Day 8: my skin is completely refreshed!
For those of you wondering if you can actually go out after getting the treatment, you actually can. But be prepared to be oily (as you are supposed to wash the face 6-8 hours after TCA peel) and for pimple marks to show up. I have posted a pic of me 4 hours post-TCA peel during the previous post, now here's a pic of my face immediately after the procedure.
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| Immediately after TCA Peel @ Doc Six Foronda's clinic |
Ideal Time to Have TCA peels:
Since I have school/work on weekdays, I see my derma, Doc Six Foronda, on a Tuesday for TCA peels. I'm gonna be unpretty on Friday but I'll let them laugh at me until they see me back on the next work/school week! *evil laugh*.
I love TCA peel because it gives my skin so much benefits. I really like it more than the Diamond peel since the effects are more long-term for every TCA session.
Argie your skin is nice naman when we met up yesterday. TCA works for you nga. :P I want to try it but I'm scared. Never tried peeling but I think I should at least once in my entire existence. :D Can I tag along when you go to your derma one of these days? Haha!
Ohh i have never heard about this one..thanks for posting this..
i am first time on your blog..hope you will follow mine
:)
http://www.wiseshe.com
@Pammycakes
It's been 3 weeks now since I had TCA peel (I should be following up nga on week 2). But maybe the local obagi is working well too on my skin.
hit me up when you're free, let's schedule a derma visit! but i doubt you'll be recommended medium dtrength chemical peels like TCA. You might be given light peel (glycolic/mandelic) + mechanical peel (diamond peel).
@Ana
i deopped by your lovely page, too!
Is this procedure same as TCA/pca peel @Belo Medical. I think their price is less than Php500 so I just want to know how much your derma charges you for TCA. I think I wanna try it too. Thanks.
I've never been to Belo, Maggie, so I wouldn't know :D Oh, my less than 500 bucks!!! I'll check that out.
I pay 1000php for the treatment at 6F aesthetics.
I am terrible with peels I think b/c I tried it once and started peeling the dead skin off myself instead of waiting for it to do it naturally....haha. :( Kudos to you for having the patience! :D
@Lisa
Ahhh... the patience issue. Yup, it is very tempting to peel it off before it can naturally complete itself. but i learned the hard way. the area where i forced the peeling to finish up became ugly red for months.
Hi! Is TCA peel effective for removing acne marks? If I avail of one session, what will I expect?
Thank you very much! :)
I hope mine will peel like this. I bought a 25% tca online for my upper arm due to keratosis pilaris. I applied it a couple of times, more than 10 coats, since there is no frosting, not even a slight burning sensation. After 10 minutes i felt a very slight stinging sensation only. I mean naabasa ko mahapdi talaga sya na kailangang paypayan pa pero bakit ganun? Maybe I bought a fake one. Huhu! and it's very expensive pa naman. I wait for a week for a sign of flaking pag wala that means fake talaga.
Hi.. im applying tca on my face.. and this is my 5th day... and nag start na mag peel sa may chin ko ng ika 4th day... pero the rest of the face ay banat ung balat, red, shiny, oily.. hehehe...
may nabasa ako sa forum na need pa ng 1-2 layer application to quicken the peel.. so i did and my skin frost pero not all part.. am I doing it right? should i wash my face after applying the TCA? or let it stay for how many hours?
and thank you po sa blog mo.. at least may idea na ko ng itsura nya kung pano mag peel..
God Bless..
yes it's true, mine is peeling on my 2nd day. 3rd day my skin is completely peeled already.
Thanks for sharing this article, its been a really interesting read! I've never dealt much with tca peels at home before. I know a girl who jut got it and is anxious to give it a try. I guess we'll see how it goes. Thanks again for sharing!