POSTED UNDER TCA Peel REVIEWS
TCA and Jessner Peels Improved my Ance-scarred Skin
ORIGINAL POST
I've been doing TCA peels since 2010, and I have...
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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.
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.
Replies (28)
February 18, 2017
Where do you buy your TCA solution?

February 18, 2017
I used to buy from ebay and amazon, but I bought from Makeupartistschoice (MUAC) last time and I think that is much safer, they are a popular and reputable company. I will keep buying from MUAC from now on.
February 18, 2017
Your the person to ask. I'm very similar re doing at home for over 10 years. In the last few days I did 1..I accidentally got way to close to my eye. Never happened b4. Has been 4 days. My eye is swollen/ been using ice pack a lot of course. I can see fine, and of course I know it didn't get IN my eye or would have known. Any home remedies u might suggest ? Also put vitamin e oil an cream on it.
Help? If possible? Really don't wanna go into doc.
Help? If possible? Really don't wanna go into doc.

February 19, 2017
This has never happend to me. I would suggest going to a doctor if it doesn't improve.
UPDATED FROM 6431
7 years post
Stick to what works
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.
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.
Replies (4)
March 14, 2017
How do you usually prep and what cleanser and lotion do you use during?

June 6, 2017
Simple or Live Clean foaming cleanser with Clarisonic to properly cleanse beforehand, a good exfoliating scrub like Lush Dark Angels a couple days before it good too. Peter Thomas Roth 10% Glycolic Acid toner or Unwrinkle pads to prep skin, use every day or every second day for 1-2 weeks leading up to a peel. Making sure skin is as evenly clean and exfoliated but not irritated or damaged is KEY. If you don't have oily congested skin this will be overkill for you. After peel, Simple foaming cleanser without clarisonic or Garnier Micellar water for 1 to 2 weeks - keep it light, super gentle and non-irritating during peeling and immediately afterwards to let skin heal on its own. First Aid Beauty moisturizing balm (which I think is now discontinued) or other heavy but without irritants/fragrance or active ingredients (I have sometimes used vaseline and face oils but these can be clogging if used too much). I do a session of non-aggressive oil cleansing method on day 7 and it helps my pores purge. I only do peels during winter and it's dark here in Canada that time of year, but if I lived somewhere sunnier I'd make sure to use a good sunscreen during the day, too.
UPDATED FROM 6431
7 years post
Photos
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.
Replies (21)
March 6, 2017
Your results are sensational! Congrats!! How many peels would you say it took until you got this result?

March 12, 2017
The first two series of about 8 peels each, made the biggest difference. I have done a series of 4 to 10 peels every year (during winter months only) for the past 7 years . With each series I saw less improvement and more maintenance. The first couple of peels I did I was cautious and didn't go too deep, but once I started to go full force I saw dramatic results very quickly those first couple of years.
March 22, 2017
Have you done any microneedling or used any human growth factors?

March 22, 2017
I have done microneedling at home but inconsistently and not very deep, so i don't think it's made much of a difference but i do plan on buying some new and better rollers and try to stick with it. I need to make more of an effort! I would never take human growth hormones, no thanks.
February 13, 2018
I meant to post this in reply to the last comment: Human growth factors aren't human growth hormones. They're a topical ingredient highly recommended by dermatologists as a topical ingredient for healthy skin and anti-aging. Such as what is in Skinmedica TNS serum and cream.
March 12, 2017
Hi..Have all the pitted scars gone?

March 12, 2017
No, I still have scars but they are shallower and less noticeable. My skin is definitely overall smoother and healthier looking. I did manage to completely get rid of some shallow boxcar scars, but I still have remnants of rolling scars. The ice pick scars are shallower, but I feel like they got wider, whether that is because of passing time or peels I'm not sure.
March 12, 2017
Thanks for your reply, if you ever want to treat the rolling scars you might want to look up subscion! your review is very helpful as I have many scars but a lot of them are very shallow so I will try some peels :)
May 20, 2017
Pics please, love to see your results!
What do you mean by achieving "frosting"?