In the world of chemical peels there are many options: the light, the medium and the deep peel. Light peels such as alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) peels, more commonly referred to as glycolic acid peels, work to improve superficial skin problems, requiring little or no recovery time. Deep peels such as phenol acid peels aid in the improvement of more seriously damaged skin, and require significant recovery time. Medium chemical peels, which use the chemical solution Tricholoracetic acid (TCA), fall somewhere in between these two extremes. That said, if you’re in the market for a chemical peel, and desire significant results without significant recovery time, a medium peel may just be what you’re looking for.

TCA chemical peels work to remove the outermost layers of the skin. They are most effective in the treatment of skin discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, dark circles under the eyes, and acne scarring. Unlike other peels, it can be used on darker skin patients. Furthermore, TCA peels can be used to achieve some of the effects provided by deeper peels depending upon the concentration of the solution during treatment. Your dermatologist or plastic surgeon will be able to provide you with more information about your options. All in all, chemical peels using tricholoracetic acid offer the patient younger, smoother, fresher looking skin. I have had a number of TCA peels to treat skin discoloration resulting from sun damage, and have found them to be quite effective, though not without some inconvenience.

The TCA peel is a relatively simple outpatient procedure which can take anywhere from 15-60 minutes, depending upon the area being treated and the severity of the skin problem. It begins with the dermatologist or plastic surgeon applying the solution to the skin then, after a determined length of time, removing it with a neutralizing agent. This is not painless; it does burn, although some doctors give patients a pain killer following the treatment. My doctor gave me a shot of cortisone as well in order to decrease any swelling that might occur.

Following the procedure, ointments such as vitamin E are given to promote healing. Although there is no significant downtime, it usually takes about 7 to 10 days for the skin to complete peeling, so most people like myself prefer to keep a low profile until the skin is back to normal. Follow-up treatments may be necessary with ‘refresher’ peels every 6 to 12 months.