Blog 3: Chemical Peels

Today, I'm talking about chemical peels.  Specifically the TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) peel.  This peel is a medium depth peel and is typically done in a clinic, medi-spa or dermatologist office.  However, you can buy TCA (or any other acid--for that matter) online and do it yourself at home.

In my arsenal of age defying beauty products, the chemical peel is by far the most productive for a nearly instant reversal of the clock....and by instant, I mean in about 7-10 days. That being said, I've only done it once on my face. I will ellaborate on this further, in a moment.

I first purchased a small bottle of 30% TCA about two years ago.  As with anything I've ever done in the name of beauty...I always research, research, research and test, test, test!!  Then, research some more!  Once I'd researched it to death, I tested it on the back of my hand to make sure it wasn't some crazy acid.  Here's what happened.  It acted exactly as the instructions and the certified aesthetician that I knew, said it would.  It stung, I fanned it, it stung more, it "frosted" over, I neutralized it (with baking soda and water), it turned pink for a few minutes and all was well.  The first test run, I left it on for about 2 minutes (you can leave it on for much longer...up to 10 minutes for a clinical medium depth peel). The second test run (on my other hand), I left it on for 5 minutes.  Over the next few days, it wrinkled up and was very dry...like dried elmers glue.  It looked like a 90 year old lady.  It didn't scare me, because I knew it would do that.  About the 4th day, it started to crack and then it just peeled off.  Amazingly, brand new, peachy skin was revealed.  No wrinkles, no freckles.  Naturally, I couldn't wait to do it on my face.  Here's the downside...unless you just don't care what people think...you look pretty disgusting for the first 4-7 days.  I didn't think about that before I applied the TCA peel to my face, so I went to work looking rediculous! 

NOTE: You're not supposed to assist the peeling process.  No peeling it off manually like you would a sunburn.  It prematurely exposes immature skin to the damaging sun.  The newly exposed skin is premature enough after it peels on its own and you MUST wear sunblock during and after the entire process.

Okay, so after my face peeled, the results were incredible.  The tiny fine lines around my eyes were greatly reduced and my freckles had faded more than 75%. Truly, this is a highly effective treatment if you're not too scared to do it yourself at home and if you have time to stay inside for about a week or two.  That's why I've only done my face once.  When I'm off from work long enough to do it, it's always on a vacation going to the beach or something, so I have not yet had the opportunity to do it again.  I've also changed departments and my office is grand central station...there's no way I'd come to work like that.

I used the rest of the bottle (tiny bottle, like 1/2 ounce) over the next year on my chest which was really freckled from years of sun exposure.  I chose to do it in the winter because you shouldn't be in direct sun while doing the peels.  Oh, you'd probably want to know this:  A TCA peel in a medi-spa costs anywhere from $500 to $1200.  A 1/2 once bottle of TCA costs about $26 and will be enough for about 10 peels.  CRAZY, I KNOW!!!  The level of peel that I'm willing to do on myself, however, would probably cost around $250 at a spa. I've got balls, but I'm not crazy enough to do a deep peel at home without a licensed aesthetician.

Recently, I purchased a bottle of 100% Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) which I've diluted to a strength of 50%.  This is significantly stronger, but will give me a deeper peel. I have the flexibiilty of dilluting it further, if I need to. I will use it on my hands and chest (maybe my face) this winter.

WARNING: I would not take this blog and run out and buy acid online and pour it on your face.  I am responsible for whatever harm I cause myself.  Thankfully, I'm cautious and a nut about researching and getting the advice of professionals.  I waited a year from the time I thought about doing it, to the time I actually used it. I'm not interested in disfiguring myself in the name of beauty.  That would be dumb!  So, please do your own research, ask professionals your own questions and use caution!!

The resutls of a peel are lasting.  Unfortunately, they don't last forever.  We continue to age, our skin cells continue to turn-over, and with additional sun exposure, we damage new skin.  You can do a medium depth peel once every 3-6 months.  There are deep peels that last years.  These must be done in a medical center and you are put under general anesthesia.  They are no joke!  Your face crusts over like a major burn, but when it's done peeling...WOW...the results are incredible.  Literally, it takes 10 years off of some people!  It's expensive and painful...but in my opinion, worth it!  I'm not there yet, thank goodness!

It should be said that there are lighter peels such as the glycolic peel.  Glycolic acid is found in over the counter face washes and lotions.  There is also a glycolic peel kit at CVS, by Skin Effects for about $24.99 (It's on sale right now for $19.99) and has 8% glycolic acid.  You're not going to get much bang for your buck unless you use this type of product often and it will be superficial at best, as opposed to a medium depth peel where your skin crusts over and peels off.

Well, I hope I've covered everything!  If you have any questions, ask! 

Thank you for reading my beauty blog!

Lydia