Acne scar Chemical Peel

by Rosy

I tried the 8% TCA peel for my mild acne scars and I love it.

An 8% tca is like a lunchtime peel.Tonight, I did 2 layers- spaced like 6 minutes apart. I use a gauze pad and apply a thin layer, wait 5-6 min. The gauze pad is great, cotton ball or pads wastes more product and applies a heavier layer so go get a cotton gauze pad. Then apply another layer, wait another 5-6 min, and then rinse off.
I basically look like I have a very slight sunburn.
The 8% is nothing dramatic, BUT I am seeing subtle improvements every time in texture and my skin looks more even. My pores are gradually shrinking.
I also break out less.

My suggestion:

To get the most of the tca peels you will want to:

1) apply enough layers so that your entire skin 'frosts'. Do not go more than that needed to produce frosts, otherwise you risk producing deeper injury to the skin and making the scars worse.

You do not want to do the peels more than say every 3 to 4 weeks, otherwise the epidermis gets too thin, and you will worsen the state of your skin.

2) use tretinoin and daily aha lotion to help remodel skin collagen below and loosen the outer damaged layers of skin. This really helps prepare the skin for deeper and more even pentration of the peel solution. Also, just before the peel, swipe face with alcohol prep solution to dissolve surface skin oils which may impede solution penetration.

3) use sunscreen daily

4) patience - using peels and good skin care ingredients take time, just like lifting weight to build muscle.

Finally, you may want to visit a few docs to get some consults, to have your scarring evaluated and see what they say regarding treatments.