TCA and Jessner Peels Improved my Ance-scarred Skin

It's hard to get high resolution photos to accurately show improvement, but I think these give you an idea: Before photos from 2011, so I had already started doing my first round of peels. After photo is from 2017, after several years worth of peels, and specifically about 2 weeks after my last peel.

I recently did a TCA + Jessner combo peel. I did a layer of Jessner, a layer TCA, another Jessner, another TCA, another Jessner, and a last TCA, leaving each layer on for 1 minute for a total of 6 minutes until all layers were on, then rinsing. I expected to get a really good peel from this, but I was underwhelmed.

Normally I use AHA and BHA products and exfoliate my skin very well leading up to a peel, but this time I didn't. The Jessner peel I bought came with a kit that included specific pre-treatment products, so I decided to try and use those products instead, as per the instructions. I used the pre-treatment cleanser, toner and serum. But I feel like it didn't properly prepare my skin for a deep and even penetration of the peeling agents. So I followed the instructions this time, but I will go back to my own methods and sticking to what works for the next one.

I've been doing TCA peels since 2010, and I have seen significant improvements in my skin. I apply the peels myself at home. I started with a series of 6 monthly 15% TCA and Jessner peels. It significantly helped diminish my deep acne scars, some red marks, cleared out my pores, reduced my skins oiliness, and really transformed the texture of my skin. I've done other series of peels since, though the improvement I saw was less and less each year, and now it's only for maintenance. I've hit the maximum that TCA and chemical peels can do for me. But I continue to do them to maintain the results. If you do them at home, it is a very cost effective solution! A bottle costs 50 to 100$ and even if I do lots of peels with lots of layers, I always throw out the bottle half full, I never run out. I buy a new bottle ever 2 years because I don't want to risk using a changed/contaminated/expired product. The price difference between buying online and the dr's office is staggering!

I don't always achieve frosting, but I see improvements anyway. I do 2-3 layers, leaving each for 30 to 120 seconds and rinsing with water in between. I use latex gloves, clean my workspace, use lots of clean towels and a fan to blow cool air over my face which relieves some of the stinging. I use proper aftercare. I get the peelies from days 3 to 5, normally, and I've gone on dates mid-peel without anyone noticing, it's really not as bad as you think it is. I sometimes pre-treat by using an AHA/BHA cleanser, toner and/or serum weeks before the peel but stopping 2 days before the peel. I also use a clarisonic brush which helps keep skin clean in between peels, and I only do peels during the winter and use sunscreen. I wait 2 to 6 weeks between peels, depending on the strength. I will usually do oil cleansing after the worst peeling is done, it really maximizes the pore purge. I like layering Jessner with TCA. Jessner is better at emptying pores, reducing oil over-production and acne, whereas TCA is better at diminishing scars and improving texture. They work great together if you have oily-acne prone skin.

I've also tried doing a TCA peel immediately after microdermabrasion but this caused my skin to get too sensitive, so I will not be doing that again. Microdermabrasion is amazing for freshening up my skin but the results are very temporary. TCA can temporarily brighten and soften your skin, but it also permanently improves skin texture too.

I recommend giving this a try before paying for expensive treatments. But I also strongly recommend you do your research and be safe. Peels are not fool-proof, and the majority of 'horror stories' are really a result of people being dumb and overconfident.