TCA chemical peel versus laser therapy? Are TCA peels as effective for sunspots and wrinkle as laser?

I am not much of a fan of lasers. Every day it seems there is some new laser that comes on the scene claiming to be the next best thing to replace yesterday's next best thing laser. The fact is that relatively expensive laser treatments, in my experience, have been showing themselves to be far more device manufacturer backed marketing hype than hard science. So be wary of falling pray to laser advertising and marketing. On the other hand relatively inexpensive peels of various kinds (and there are a whole bunch more than just TCA) have been around for decades and have a tried and true track record for the gratifying treatment of sunspots and for improving the appearance of fine wrinkles and crinkles. In experienced hands, stronger peeling agents in varying concentrations depending upon the need and the site treated, may be used directly on the unwanted spots themselves, while other peeling agents may be applied to the surrounding skin in order to better blend the treated areas with its surroundings.What is very important is that you seek consultation and treatment by a board certified aesthetic physician with experience and expertise in all the various kinds of treatments available for sunspots and other pigmentary issues and not just anyone out to hawk lasers or, for that matter, any other expensive device-based treatment as a "one size fits all" approach to treating anything and everything. 

Both are effective.  Deep TCA peels work well for lines and color but are less predictable than lasers and don't have as long an effect in my opinion than lasers do. I suggest a formal consultation to determine what is best.  Dr. Emer.

At our practice we take a unique patient approach listening to the patient's main concerns about their skin, what their specific goals are and how much their lifestyle and skin condition dictates the ability of the treatment plan to succeed.  By creating a treatment plan centered around the goals of the patient we serve their special needs which leads to greater success and patient satisfaction.  TCA peels for the typical patient involves some down time and peeling with the results being noticeable and measurable for someone who wants improvement on fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and pore size.  Laser therapy is great for patients who have skin types I-IV (Meditteranean and lighter) who are looking for either specific improvement on redness, brown spots and lines/ wrinkles/pores or who want overall rejuvenation with a wide range of downtime.  Typically multiple treatments are necessary with laser therapy as well as IPL treatments, though deeper lasers like Candela CO2RE gives wonderful results with minimal downtime in only one treatment.For patients with severe sun damage or deeper lines and wrinkles the sky is the limit in terms of how many of these modalities we can implement as well as including TCA peels in to their office visit and treatment plan.Hope this helps clarify.  Good luck.

Hello and thank you for your question.There are a number of comparable skin resurfacing treatments for pigmentation, sunspots, and wrinkles.  The important issue is skin type.  If the skin is medium olive and darker, then laser and some other methods can be more difficult to use. TCA does not work well for the deepest wrinkles but can be effective even in patients with medium and olive skin types, for pigmentation, blemishes and sunspots.   Proper skin preparation and aftercare permit the use of most approaches.  The darker the skin the more skin care required around the date of the procedure.  The literature from Southeast Asia makes this point very clear.C02 laser for deep wrinkles can remove color from the skin as can Phenol when not blending it and using it in different strengths for the entire face.   Phenol in combination with TCA and diamond tip abrasion can treat all issues related to pigmentation, wrinkling, and sunspots byt those with extensive experience.   As discussed here, a vast experience with all skin types should be sought, but each skin type and each case is approached with special care.  A chemo-abrasion is our preference for all skin types  which may be directed toward some wrinkles, and pigment issues.  This is more conventional but more all encompassing of a great number of skin types. Fractional lasers can be more liberally used in patients of color, but for deeper skin tones, they pose some issues especially a deep effect is sought.  If we all had 20 different lasers and light-based devices, plus the latest modules, we could treat a greater number of skin issues in all skin types. Peels and dermabrasion, while conventional, can treat practically everything in everyone, except for spider vessels which are best treated directly, or by use of pulsed dye lasers. This is our philosophy. Laser technology changes every 6 months and updated lasers offer the best chance for great results. 

Short answer - yes. If performed correctly medium depth peels such as the Jesssner's and TCA peel can give great results, in many cases better than laser. Peeling is faster, but requires a higher skill set for the Specialist. Lasers are safer and require some skill sets, to virtually none (default settings, depress a button). My advice to you is to find a specialist who has a wide selection of lasers, and also performs chemical peels- he or she can guide you accordingly. All the bestDr Davin Lim Laser and aesthetic dermatologistBRISBANE, Australia.