“TCA Peel Improvements to Melasma / Hyperpigmentation Only Lasted a Few Weeks - Princeton, NJ”

After a single layer TCA peel for melasma/hyperpigmentation, my skin looked great for only a few weeks, while I was still healing.

After 12 weeks, I see only a minor improvement in my melasma, with some lightening of the darker spots. 90% of the hyperpigmentation has returned, only slightly lighter. I have been using SPF 60 sunscreen daily and TriLuma 3x week.

I now know that the dramatic results I saw in before/after photos were because my after photo was shot 10 days after the procedure; too soon for true results. Also, the true costs of the procedure included a pre-procedure consultation with the physician ($100.) and the pre and post procedure medications ($400.), not only the cost of the peel ($1000.)

Essential to positive TCA peel results are 1) the use of pharmaceuticals containing hydroquinone and tretinoin, and 2) daily application and reapplication of SPF 50+ sunscreen. If you can't apply sunscreen to your face every day, twice a day, don't bother considering a peel.

The single-layer peel was a massive waste of money. It just didn't go deep enough.

I would do a TCA peel again if a 3-layer peel could result in 3x the positive results.