POSTED UNDER TCA Peel REVIEWS
Dont Try This at Home! 25% TCA - Nashville, TN
ORIGINAL POST
I was considering a TCA peel last year. I read up...
$50
I was considering a TCA peel last year. I read up on it like gangbusters. I knew everything there was to know about the process. It was ridiculous how much I read.
I ordered the product online and did a patch test. The patch seemed to heal very slowly, but I assured myself that due to the low complication rate, the residual redness would go away in time.
I went ahead with the full 25% TCA peel and burned my skin. I will post pictures.
Please let me assure you of how careful I was. I had everything ready, had directions that I followed to a T. If I had a do-over, I would have ponied up the cash to go to the dermatologist and be under professional care.
I plan to undergo multiple v beam treatments to try to correct the persistent redness.
I wish I had just stuck to my salicylic acid peels. My skin loved them and they did no harm.
I ordered the product online and did a patch test. The patch seemed to heal very slowly, but I assured myself that due to the low complication rate, the residual redness would go away in time.
I went ahead with the full 25% TCA peel and burned my skin. I will post pictures.
Please let me assure you of how careful I was. I had everything ready, had directions that I followed to a T. If I had a do-over, I would have ponied up the cash to go to the dermatologist and be under professional care.
I plan to undergo multiple v beam treatments to try to correct the persistent redness.
I wish I had just stuck to my salicylic acid peels. My skin loved them and they did no harm.
Replies (42)
May 10, 2013
hey
thanks for sharing your story !
where did you buy your peel?
I want to buy and try to apply TCA peel on dark spots only, I think it will remove or fade them.. from your picture it looks like the peel is very strong.. so it gave me an idea :)
June 6, 2013
I am declining to state where purchased to discourage people from making the same mistake as me; however, I will tell you that I have read that treating the dark spots only can be tricky business and can result in a halo effect around the dark spots, if that makes sense. If you have sun spots, you may try hydroquinone. I would definitely find a dermatologist you trust and they will do you right!
May 10, 2013
I am happy to read that your skin healed from this. it looks very scary in the first picture, but after it looks like a natural blush
June 6, 2013
Thank you :) Even with a TCA peel going well, you can expect to look like scary monster for about seven to ten days! :)
May 24, 2013
Wow, that sounds pretty scary. If you don't mind sharing, what brand of TCA peel did you use? I'm glad that you're seeing some improvement now!
June 6, 2013
Hi Jorona,
I would like to decline to state, because I dont feel that the results were the fault of the company, but because I just really dont want to encourage anyone to try it at home first. Dont make the same mistake I did.
May 25, 2013
I don't understand. You say you read up like gangbusters?
You didn't mention anything about first trying lactic or glycolic peels on your skin at first. It also seems you don't understand the purpose of a patch test. If your skin reacted poorly it should give you a clue your face will react even worse. And then you go ahead and use a high percentage of tca for your first time?
Just sounds like you're very poorly informed and burned your face....here's a reminder....don't try sticking a knife into an electrical socket.
May 28, 2013
No need to be hateful. Your tips would have been potential good advice for others if you hadn't so condescending with them...
June 6, 2013
Dear Orpheus01,
Your post sounds rude, just to let you know. I first tried glycolic peels and ssalicylic acid peels. They worked great. I do understand the purpose of a patch test. I intentionally wrote in there that I had ignored the results of the patch test to let others know that they should think twice before they make the same mistake. Also, I didn't use a high percentage the first time. I started with a 15% and had no problems whatsoever.
I am not poorly informed. You are just a rude individual who make incorrect assumptions. What is the matter with some people. I put up a review to be helpful and this is what I get. Shame on you.
June 6, 2013
Thank you Jess189. I was very surprised to see such a rude comment. It saddens me when people are judgmental and belittle other community members. I know that is now what Realself is about!
June 9, 2013
He's not being hateful, TCA peels are very dangerous in uneducated hands. Quit being so judgmental and critical about other peoples opinions just because they don't match your own.
June 9, 2013
Your review isn't helpful. Instead of blaming the product which has helped thousands of people you should take some accountability and place some of the blame on yourself. If 15% worked for you you should have followed the directions and went to the next level, 18% instead of jumping straight to 25% which is VERY potent as is stated on the label.
Maybe you wouldn't get "rude" comments if you weren't so condescending yourself. Take accountability for your actions and quit blaming the product that you misused.
June 9, 2013
What are you referring to? And how can you read his review and say it's not hateful? It's not an "opinion" that this person basically called her an idiot and told her sarcastically not to stick a knife in an electrical socket. That is unnecessary and hateful language, even if most people think that's the only way to express yourself. And I'd have to say that the only pot calling the kettle black that I see is the fact that you've posted these unhelpful comments while telling people to stop being judgmental and critical. You don't seem to have any problem judging this girl for trying to education others to a dangerous (and yes, it is dangerous if not done by a professional) peel that many people make the same mistake with in hopes it will improve their skin. So this is a good warning and incredibly helpful.
June 9, 2013
What is your obsession with TCA peels anyway? That's all you've posted comments about. Do you even use them or do you have sort of investment in this product?
June 10, 2013
Thank you so much Jess189 for your replies here. They mean a lot to me. I specifically posted this review about my negative experience to let people know that they need to be more careful than I was and go to a doctor. I had no clue I would get all these condescending replies...I've had nothing but good experiences in the past with Realself. Anyway, I appreciate that you came to my defense and saw my review for what it was...a warning to others not to make the same mistake as me and to have a healthy respect for TCA peels! :)
UPDATED FROM Miss.TRev
6 months post
Photo...Six Month Mark
Hi there...after all the shocked replies I received about my skin, I wanted to post an update pic so everyone can see that everything has healed and there is just a bit of persistent redness. This last pic I am wearing makeup in; however, I wear very light makeup. I put in the arrows because without them, I dont even think people would notice. :)
Replies (8)
December 19, 2014
so glad you are doing better. you are a lovely woman.
December 23, 2014
Thanks! the brown is faded now. I have persistent erythema (some of which I had before the peel), and on days when I just cant stand it or feel totally ugly, I use Mirvaso and it makes such a difference!
December 19, 2014
You just need some bleach cream with 2% hydroquinone. You should have started with a lower %. You're going to ruin it for the rest of us by getting it pulled from the market!
December 23, 2014
1) I have used hydroquinone off and on for years (and its great!), thank you for the suggestion.
2) I did start with a lower %, in fact, and had no issues with it whatsoever. Just had a major reaction to the 25%. Again, I believe it is due to my thin skin :(
3) Let's get some perspective here...I don't think one bad review is getting anything pulled from the market (please!). I'm glad your happy with TCA...that GREAT! I wish I was too! I do believe that it works great for most people, but not everyone. And people need to tell their stories so that people can be informed when they decide to do this at home. This aint painting your fingernails, this is something that can scar a girl! I speak from experience!
December 24, 2014
You are not the only one with a bad review on it. Read the amazon reviews. I agree that people need to take it seriously which is why I wish people would go about it more gradually. A little redness is not unusual. I had several TCA peels at the doctors office so I knew how my skin would react and also wasn't scared about how it looked after. It is annoying that it will eventually get pulled from the market. I feel like it's such a rip-off to pay for it at the doctor's office. The prices will go up when it's banned. I actually had one doctor quote $2500. What a joke. I bought 2 more bottles to stock up, so at least I'll have some for awhile. Hope it has a long shelf life.
December 24, 2014
I think the doctors office is a rip off too (as I state in my review), but asking people not to share their experience or concluding that they must have done something wrong seems unfair as well. If it worked great for you (as it does most people, which I state clear as day throughout my review), then post your story, but please don't try to minimize mine.
Replies (45)
June 14, 2013
Thank you for posting your TCA experience. I think you have done a valuable service to anyone considering trying this at home. The bottom line appears to be that this is an excellent peel that can yield some great results but it is also not the type of peel that should be attempted at home if you are new to TCA peels. No matter how careful you are, you run the risk of something going wrong. This peel is best left up to an experience dermatologist office or cosmetic spa. I have just completed a series of 3 TCA peels all 3 weeks apart. My skin looks lovely and I didn't experience any burning or excessive redness. I did have peeling and flaking for 7-10 days after each peel which is a challenge to work around when applying make up but the results are well worth. I had my peels done at a cosmetic spa and the cost was very reasonable. Thanks again for sharing your experience and I will note that your skin looks quite beautiful in your after pictures.
June 14, 2013
Thank you for posting your TCA experience. I think you have done a valuable service to anyone considering trying this at home. The bottom line appears to be that this is an excellent peel that can yield some great results but it is also not the type of peel that should be attempted at home if you are new to TCA peels. No matter how careful you are, you run the risk of something going wrong. This peel is best left up to an experience dermatologist office or cosmetic spa. I have just completed a series of 3 TCA peels all 3 weeks apart. My skin looks lovely and I didn't experience any burning or excessive redness. I did have peeling and flaking for 7-10 days after each peel which is a challenge to work around when applying make up but the results are well worth. I had my peels done at a cosmetic spa and the cost was very reasonable. Thanks again for sharing your experience and I will note that your skin looks quite beautiful in your after pictures.
June 20, 2013
My pleasure, stardusty. And by the way I really appreciated your very thorough review on Ultherapy I have heard that some people like it, while others dont get the results they're looking for. My sister and I worshiped the sun in our childhood, so even though we are in our early thirties, our skin is experiencing aging much earlier than it should. I have wondered what I will do when these little jowls arent so little anymore!
June 20, 2013
Oh my goodness. I can't believe the comments here! There are many people unfortunately who thrive on putting others down to make themselves feel superior. They only succeed in making themselves look inferior. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and for your kindness in wanting to prevent others from a potentially bad experience.
June 20, 2013
Thank you cc1010! I have been shocked by the comments as well, but community members like yourself have made a huge difference. I actually suspect that the negative comments were all left by one individual with multiple accounts, but that is just a personal hunch. :)
I really do hope that others do think twice before considering doing a TCA peel at home. Its really not worth it. I researched it so much and knew everything there is to know about it and still, it just needs to be done by a professional with experience, in my personal opinion.
Thanks again.
June 24, 2013
When in doubt don't. Its.simple
It's your skin and always start mild.
No need for insult people.
Wow, thank you so much for sharing with us what happened. I can only imagine how scared you must have been in the immediate days after the peel, wondering how much your skin would heal and what things would look like long term.
Please let us know how your skin does as more time passes.
At least it sounds like you are able to cover it with makeup for the time being. Hopefully the V Beam treatments take care of it for you!!