TCA peel before & after photos
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80 reviews
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TCA Peel Cost $300 average cost

100% TCA Peel at Home

3 posts
Comments (69)
Updated 23 Sep 2009
Posted 22 Sep 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $100 in Lee's Summit, MO

I don't recommend this to anyone! It was a VERY painful experience. I was off work for 2 weeks and had a horrible time! The swelling was so severe my eyes were swollen all but shut for 6 days! I was afraid to go out in public.

I did a 100% TCA peel at home 4 weeks ago. The usual swelling pain was experienced, but now I still have a LOT of redness. Any one know how long it will take for this redness to disappear?

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor: Name not provided

I did this my self...NEVER again! Bought this off Ebay for $9.99
Vote: 10 members found this review helpful

Comments (69)

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MaryP123 (9 posts) 23 Sep 2009
It's no wonder it was a horrible experience, it's obvious that you used a solution that was to strong. With the right solution, and the right prep, skin test and application, you would have been more than satisfied with the results.
Speedychic (3 posts) 23 Sep 2009
Do you know how long the red should last?
brotbackgeraet (6 posts) 8 Oct 2011
a 100%? Your skin is burned!
fairy101 (9 posts) 30 Sep 2009
why did you go with 100% tca instead of starting with a lower dose? I used a 12.5% 2 months ago and again yesterday a 2 layer 12.5%, I had, and am having, a great result. I would never do 100% at home. Peels can be done at home if done properly and with cautious and patience. You can't expect to get perfect skin over night with one treatment. It takes time and starting with a low percentage is the only way to go.
GG101 (2 posts) 1 Oct 2009

omg... you should never use 100% they dont even use that at the doctors office. anything over 30% is used on the body you should do a patch test always. this is why you need to see an esthetician or doctor people who know what they are doing. people just dont realize how strong peels are and they sure dont no what percent to put on there face. just because the ad looks good does not mean it is good for your type of skin and not only that you are getting it from the internet so how sure are you about what your buying. it looks like you need to go see a doctor right away and get some emu oil.

magichands (1 post) 6 Aug 2010
Hi i whant to use the TCA peels i use glycolic and is very good but i have clients needs strongest peels can you repply me to my email i live in tampa.
Sacramento1554 (4 posts) 2 Dec 2010
There are several different other chemical peels that you can use. TCA is in the Mid to Deep chemical peel. Glycolic peel is a very light peel and it only helps balance out your complexion to obtain an all around even skin tone.

If you want the STRONG stuff, search the internet for this chemical called: "Phenol Acid", it is also called "carbolic acid" in the scientific community. This stuff is so strong that it takes months to heal and doctors will have to measure your heart-rate along with putting you in anesthesia.

After some general research, I would say that phenol acid peel is just not worth the risk. The chemical metabolize into your lungs and passes through your kidney. It's just not worth it. It's a good read though...
GG101 (2 posts) 1 Oct 2009

if anyone has a question about peels please email me i am an esthetician.

Priya 221 (1 post) 2 Jan 2012
To whomever it may concern,

I have used the 100% TCA peel on my stomach region as well as to treat a Keloid on my chest. I did not dilute it as recommended, and I am now experiencing brown dark discolouration because I have burnt my skin. I am currently using ScarAway Silicone sheets for 1 month now, and it has lightened the scars to a certain level. But the darkness still remains and is very obvious. can you please inform me what else I can use to speed up the process? I am a model and have lost many assignments due to this problem.

Thanks

Priya
SageAdvice (2 posts) 11 Jan 2012
Emu, argan & sandlewood oils may be helpful...sunblock totally in that area. LED treatments may also aid in helping to lighten the staining & scarring. Such trauma to the skin often takes up to a year to fade. If all else fails please consult a cosmetic surgeon
S.Marie14 (1 post) 12 Jan 2012

Hi GG101,
I have mild acne scarring with discoloration (not as deep as icepick, but mild indentation). I have used a TCA 15% peel and seen little improvement. How many peels should I expect to do before I see great results?Thanks so much (its in spots, not all over face).

Seb64 (2 posts) 27 Jan 2012
You have most likely permanently scarred yourself. It is very foolish to use 100% TCA neat on skin, dermatologists don't even use this. It must be diluted to about 25% using 1 part TCA+1 part water. Go to a dermatologist now and see if they can help you.
tab2317 (1 post) 1 Oct 2009
I am an esthetician also and I agree with the emu oil comment.
privatelyseekinginfo (9 posts) 3 Nov 2010
Hi! Thanks for your post. I am a 42 year old female and had a fractional CO2 laser treatment in March. Although I had an overall improved result, I must admit, I was disappointed that my result wasn't better. I probably should have insisted on going with a doctor who still used the traditional CO2 laser. I still have large pores on my cheeks, lines and crepiness under my eyes. I am considering a tca peel and would like to know what % you suggest to get a noticeable result. After my laser procedure, I was diligent at using products to prevent dark spots and lines of demarkation. My skin tone is, and remains even. Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Thanks. Privatelyseekinginfo.....
Sacramento1554 (4 posts) 3 Dec 2010
How many times have you done the fractional CO2 laser treatment? From what I've researched, you need to do a few laser treatments in order to achieve the intended results. As you already know, it's fractional so it only laser a fraction of your skin and in order for you to completely laser off all of your unwanted skin, you would need to do a few more treatments. (which I think is just TOO expensive", $2,500 per treatment and on average, you need about 3 to 4 treatments, that's just too expensive.

Anyways... you should try using 20% "Glycolic Acid" to help close up your pores. TCA, in my opinion, would not be a good choice because TCA is peeling off layers of skin, which the CO2 has already done. Try Glycolic Peel and see it that helps with the large pores.
Sonja1982 (3 posts) 6 Oct 2009
I had a 30% tca peel done and it turned my skin a dark brown on the areas treated. Is this normal and how long will it last?
star.slut (1 post) 22 Oct 2009
ouuuuuuch
JulieRobins (1 post) 23 Oct 2009

Hi I make safe products for rapid resurfacing and new skincell turnover. I know who sold this TCA to you, and I want you to know that its because of you and many OTHERS who were injured by this seller and a couple of other sellers,. that led to eBay making the decision to pull ALL TCA products off of their site. I voluntarily removed my items when I saw the same seller listing TCA to remove HPV GENITAL WARTS. The same solution that you used on your face was being sold worldwide for men/women to apply to their genitals,. There were serious cases reported which led to eBays decision to remove ALL products, no matter what their strength. I brought TCA PEELS to eBay in 2001. My TCA complex is 12.5% and yields a perfect peel. For the more stubborn skin I have Perfect TCA Peel which is 1% under frosting. There are several grades of TCA that are sold. Medical grade TCA is purified, washed and contains no fragments or alloys. Cheap TCA is sold in chemical stores which is used for cleaning metal and removing barnicles from boats, rust etc. The sellers who list $10.00 viles of TCA for FACE PEEL, TATOO REMOVAL AND STRETCH MARKS are selling the caustic regeant. Its a hot acid. This is NOT what is used in skincare. There are alloys floating in this acid,. it is very unclean,. IN the end, TCA is NOT used for Tatoo removal or stretch marks. Stretch marks are comprised of injured skin tissue. You cannot just burn and peel away a stretch mark and expose new skin growth. Stretch marks can be treated with sheets of silicone that cause the tissue to sweat causing reconnectivity,.These silicone sheets can be used over and over and should be worn over night, tucked against panties,or taped on with paper tape. Tatoos? If you have a 5 micron deep jail house marker tatoo, then perhaps you can’t burn it off,. A professional Tatoo will NOT vanish by TCA acid. You can burn your skin and possibly blur the image at best. Advice to anyone who used a caustic peel of TCA or TCA mixed with aha/bha (these sellers were also marrying other chemicals into their mix). For woman or men of color (african american skin tone),. who use TCA on face or body,. the result will be severe hyperpigmenting, or what may look like black shoe polish. The process to get the skin to shed should be slow,with the lowest grade percentage possible to create a light slough every 7-10 days. Hydroquinone is not going to lighten this damage. The skin must shed many many times and not be exposed to sunlight or intense humidity for long periods of time. Dark skintones have a built in sunscreen which secretes pigment as a natural inhibitor,. this comes out naturally during warm climate. Keeping the skin cool at all times during treatment. Manual microdermabrasion has been successful, even using micro crystals (email me if you need more suggestions, I make one that is micro and retinoic). For light skin that has endured facial burns from TCA acid,. First 2 weeks it is crucial to keep the area moist with Neosporin ointment. If the face swells or becomes feverish or yellow seek medical attention., Tissue infection is very common which is treated with oral antibiotics and sometimes a steroid. Most important: Do not blame yourself. Talk to your family, friends, get on the chat sites, find people who have gone through this,. If you are still super angry in 2 months you can take legal action. (sidebar: Take progressive photographs.) Treatment when the skin heals: Most caucasian or asian skin is left very pink or hypopigmented (very white). When the facial skin is burned there can be damage to the oil glands. No matter what, your skin is changed forever. You will never tan facially, you will be quick to burn so zinc oxide should be used for full protection. Until your skin is back 100% I recommend both men and women who have endured facial burns to use a cosmetic concealer that is formulated for post surgical scarring. www lindasiedel.com makes AMAZING products to conceal hyper and hypo pigmentation. This is for protection as well as aesthetics,. plus it will keep your self esteem in check!! Once you have healed and your skin has resumed as much color naturally,. you may want to consider starting a light regime to expedite new skincell turnover to help reduce the pigment. This program will NOT involve a tca peel. I make really good expeditors that abrade .01 micron per treatment, which is so mild but very noticable. If you have purchased TCA that is labeled 50% to 100% as a face peel, I beg you to reconsider applying this product to your face or body. If you want a second opinion, simply call your dermatologist or google a plastic surgeon in your area. Book a free consultation. Ask the doctor if she applys TCA peels at this percentage. In our office an applied safe/ medical grade TCA peel starts at $150 and up to $400. NO place on earth is it safe to buy and use a TCA peel that costs $10.00 (and remember! she made a profit on that!). Real triple acetic acid is expensive and sold only to exclusive salons for application or for compounding. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Take Care Julie

HplyEvrAftr (2 posts) 28 Oct 2009
Jules, my luv!!! This is Cori!!! I am in the middle of a 12.5% TCA COMPLEX at home peel, and would like to back Jules that her Complex is a PERFECT PEEL!! No pain, slight redness and itchies on the baby skin... but NOTHING like these painful pics I see...I've never been swollen, let alone in pain from TCA COMPLEX!!! I've used her products for over 5yrs and ALWAYS go back for more... She is the answer to at home peel - SAFE at home peels. They have helped IMMENSELY with acne/acne scars; (my main reason for doing them) BUT I am 32 and get told weekly that I am "cute" or that i look 15!!! I THANK JULIE for that!! Her peels are a part of my LIFE!!! Sorry to hear of your pain (original poster) but i am happy to hear they did end up pulling some of those shiester ebayers... It's about time.
mg4mri (19 posts) 18 Jan 2010
Hi Julie! Loved your response, very informative w/these products. But I say to you, most delicately, your information of the skin's anatomy and physiology is not quite up to par. Please invest in an A&P textbook used by actual medical professionals (doctors, PA's & RN's). I'm sure that since you've invested so much of yourself in this genre that you'd want to be as accurate as possible. Just a (sincerely)friendly note...
privatelyseekinginfo (9 posts) 3 Nov 2010
Hi Julie. Thanks for your knowledge. Where is your office located?
shorebreaks (1 post) 25 Oct 2009
I recently purchased a tca kit and was considering doing a 50%. This would be my first peel, should I go with the 50% or should i dillute it. If i dillute it, do i just add equal parts purified water or is there any other steps?
Spatech (1 post) 26 Jan 2012
throw it out
jojo_1234 (3 posts) 26 Oct 2009
I used 21% TCA peel bought from makeupartistschoice, but my skin burn and got sore and leaving dark brown hyperpigmenation after peeling, so i think 50% is far too strong
jojo_1234 (3 posts) 26 Oct 2009
i am Asian, I used 21% TCA peel bought from makeupartistschoice about 2 week ago, wanting to remove some freckles on my face, but my skin burn and sore and leaving dark brown hyperpigmenation after peeling

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