How do I get rid of severe redness 1 year after TCA Peel? (photos)

Question

Its been one whole year since I carried a TCA (100%) peel treatment at home. My cheeks are still extremely red and hypo pigmented, especially my left cheek and I am very depressed. I initially conducted this treatment at home hoping it improve my scars. The pictures I posted of October 2013 show my face during the peel. I'm not sure what the yellow substance is. Could I get some advice on how I can resolve this issue? Thank You

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is a terrible complication.  You need to see a cosmetic dermatologist who is an expert in lasers to help you.  LED light treatment and pulsed dye or Excel V laser will help the redness, and low level fractional resurfacing such as Fraxel or Clear and Brilliant can help improve the scarring.  Microneedling may help as well, but I would focus on improving the redness.  Topical skin care is also essential.  I wish you the best, Dr. Emer.

Inessa Fishman, MD · Answer

A 100% TCA is very high concentration; 30-70% concentrations are the most commonly employed, and I recommend such treatments be done with experienced medical supervision both before and after peel administration.  It's tough to gain a lot of information from a few photos.  That being said, your second set of photos (healing phase) shows some fibrinous debris (essentially a moist scab, or a combination of serum and peeling skin), which is likely the yellow substance.Your first set of photos appear to show red and slightly depressed scars on the left cheek.  The lighting in the right cheek photo prevents me from seeing anything but redness.  An in-person evaluation and exam with a qualified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon experienced in facial peeling and scar treatment are key.  A pulsed dye laser can be very effective for redness and red scars.  A fractionated Erbium laser and microneedling may help improve the texture of scarred areas.  Hypopigmentation is a fairly difficult problem to treat; camouflaging make-up and permanent make-up (tattooing a hypopigmented patch of skin to make its color more closely match that of surrounding skin) are options.  Good luck!

How do I get rid of severe redness 1 year after TCA Peel? (photos)

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How do I get rid of severe redness 1 year after TCA Peel? (photos)

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Everything you need to know about TCA Peel

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