I Used Perfect Image 12% TCA Gel Peel and Now my Cheek Has a Red Spot on It Will This Spot Go Away?

Question

I used this at home on my cheek for about 5 mins. I had frosting. I washed it off but now I have this reddish/brown colored circle on my cheek. How long will this last will it go away?

Rebecca Fitzgerald, MD · Answer

TCA peels can do some serious magic. They can also mess up your skin. Although it is easier now than ever before to buy professional level peels outside of a doctor's office or qualified facial spa, that does not mean they have suddenly become safe for a non-professional to use. 

	As to your red/brown spot... The red means there is still some inflammation going on in the skin from the damage caused by the peel - either that or you now have damaged capillaries. The brown is a typical post-response to too much injury to the skin caused by your melanocytes creating melanin (brown pigment) in an attempt to protect the damaged tissue.

	Professional estheticians, skin doctors and their nurses all have specific training in chemical peel application. That's the safest path to getting the kind of results you want without exposing yourself to countless risks when you do it on your own.

	Your skin may heal fully over time. And only time will tell. I'm sorry if this sounds like a chastisement, but more and more we see patients in our practice who have problems from self-applied peels that were too strong or the wrong peel for their skin type or color. And all of those problems were completely avoidable

	When it's your face, safe should always be the first consideration.

	As a side note, if you take care of your skin in a committed fashion, you may find you don't even "need" peels. Something to think about, isn't it?

A. David Rahimi, MD · Answer

Before I answer your question I would like to start by saying that I see and treat deep burns on the face and body on a regular basis. I see one or two patients a month who have chemical burns from TCA and even strong Glycolic peels. Some result in permanent scarring. These peels are performed by patients and at times inexperienced providers. You may think that 10% or 12% TCA is safe. In fact TCA is "coat and application dependent" and even a 12% TCA can go as deep as a %30 TCA and cause permanent scarring if too many layers are applied or if the TCA, for various reasons, penetrates too deep. I strongly suggest that you apply a tipical antibiotic such as Silvadene ointment and see a Dermatologist. Red and raw skin can develop into hypertrophic scarring and even keloids. Red spots can progress to become blotchy post inflammatory hyperpigmentaion (PIH). Strict sun avoidance is a must.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is not the best idea to do home chemical peel, especially a stronger peel like a TCA. When not applied correctly peels can cause permanent damage such as discoloration and scarring. Without seeing the area or knowing how long it has been since the peel was applied it is hard to make a good recommendation. I would suggest using gentle and hydrating products for awhile until your skin heals. Also make sure you are wearing SPF and avoiding the sun as much as possible, this will help reduce the amount of permanent damage and discoloration. Make an appointment with your aesthetician or dermatologist as soon as possible to get the best treatment recommendation. -Best wishes

Channing R. Barnett, MD · Answer

Generally speaking, I do not recommend home peeling, especially with something like TCA (trichloracetic acid). TCA is a strong chemical and when applied improperly to the skin, permanent discoloration and scarring can result. Sometimes discoloration can also lead to hypertrophic (thickened) scars which can be difficult to get rid of. For now, I would be extremely careful with the sun and try a cortisone cream on the red spot. You would probably benefit most by seeing a dermatologist.

I Used Perfect Image 12% TCA Gel Peel and Now my Cheek Has a Red Spot on It Will This Spot Go Away?

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