Cleansing Skin Care with Medium Depth TCA Peels

Medium Depth TCA Peels

Chemical peels have seen a long cherished history, but it was in 1970 that dermatologists and plastic surgeons had received a favorable environment to experiment with different chemical peels for skin rejuvenation.

In the 1980s, lots of research work was published to support the idea that chemical peels were a better option than dermabrasion that allowed for better control of skin rejuvenation results. It also has an advantage of minimal downtime.

The term medium-depth peel was coined in 1986 and there after the term was promoted to describe the treatment procedures which were performed with acids such as salicylic acid or lactic acid (Jessner Solution) followed by TCA treatments.

TCA Peels

Medium chemical peels are highly effective for their cleansing activity and as treatments to provide vitality to the skin. They also improve superficial discoloration and eliminate fine wrinkles. However, they do relatively little for acne scarring or dynamic wrinkles. Medium depth peels can be achieved with a variety of chemicals. TCA (trichloroacetic acid) is the most common medium depth peeling agent. Glycolic acid and salicylic acids are other agents which are also sometimes used for medium depth peeling.

Medium Depth Peels are treatments which are suitable for most skin types. The results of TCA peeling are usually less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a phenol peel. But advantage with a TCA peel is that the healed skin will be able to produce pigment almost always; the peel will not bleach the skin as can happen with deep peels. It is the best treatment for an average skin and offers the following advantages:

Smoothing skin

Improving superficial discoloration

Removing superficial blemishes

Improving color, texture, skin tone

Removing fine wrinkles.

Removing age spots

Improve blotches

Removal of dark circles under your eyes.

Candidates for medium depth peels

The best advantage of medium peels is that they can be safely performed in people with olive and light brown skin unlike the deep chemical peels which are suitable only for fair skin.

Medium peels can also be used in people with dark brown skin, but with some risk of discoloration. This can be prevented to some degree by preparing the skin with medical grade skin care treatments such as a comprehensive AHA treatment protocol prior to peels. Such preparation of skin reduces the possibilities of pigmentation changes.

The treatment is very effective in younger patients where the treatment really helps to maintain the young skin.

The TCA peel treatment procedure

The treatment with the medium depth peel requires some skin preparation with a medical grade skin care regimen, microdermabrasion or a combination of both.

After skin becomes tolerant it is ready for a more aggressive medium depth peeling program using 6-7 coats of a Jessner peel. The procedure is performed three times repeating it on the third day of the treatment.

The treatment proceeds in a stepwise pattern - the peel is first applied to the central face continuing to mid cheek and then to the ears. The peeling progresses across the face like a wave and generates new skin cells during the peeling process.

The Jessner peels may be repeated every 2-3 months.

TCA in concentrations (20-35%) can also be added as an intermediate-depth peel. At this concentration level the peel is well tolerated and an effective peel. But above this concentration (for example, 45-55%) the TCA tends to penetrate irregularly into the skin and may cause scarring.

The procedure of its application is similar to a Jessener peel, the flaking progresses across the face in a stepwise pattern from the central to mid cheek to the ears at 3, 5, and 7 days, respectively.

It is generally preferred to apply the peel during the mid-week so the patient's peeling and skin sloughing occurs over the weekend.

A combination Jessner and TCA peel is also very popular. The Jessner solution is applied in 3-4 coats to strip off the oily deposits and debris from skin to make the subsequent application of TCA more uniform.

The combination of Jessner's solution with 35% TCA works in a synergistic fashion for maximum depth of penetration of the peel via keratolysis and keratocoagulation. The safety profile for both peeling solutions is excellent.

The repeated coats of Jessner solution accomplish this cleansing which is followed by repeated coats of a 20-35% TCA solution that results in forming a foggy white frost on an erythematous base which is generally at Obaji level 1.

Another favorable and popular treatment is the Obagi Blue Peel® which is a controlled TCA (Tricholoracetic Acid) peel.

TCA can be used in different concentrations; the correct peel level can be ascertained by checking for epidermal slide. More coatings of TCA peel will progress to a deeper level producing an Obaji level 2 or 3 which is an intense white to yellow blanch. These deep reactions are generally avoided when TCA is used as a moderate peeling agent.

Care with TCA Peels

TCA-peel patients are advised to avoid sun exposure for several months after treatment to protect the newly formed layers of skin. Even though TCA is milder than phenol, it may also produce some unintended color changes in the skin.

References

James E. Fulton Jr and Serban Porumb, "Chemical Peels Their Place within the Range of Resurfacing Techniques", Am J Clin Dermatol 2004; 5 (3): 179-187

Medium Depth TCA Peels for Improving color, texture, and skin tone

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In the 1980s, lots of research work was published to support the idea that chemical peels were a better option than dermabrasion that allowed for better control of skin rejuvenation results. It also has an advantage of minimal downtime. The term medium-depth peel was coined in 1986 and there after the term was promoted to describe the treatment procedures which were performed with acids such as salicylic acid or lactic acid (Jessner Solution) followed by TCA treatments. TCA Peels Medium chemical peels are highly effective for their cleansing activity and as treatments to provide vitality to the skin. They also improve superficial discoloration and eliminate fine wrinkles. However, they do relatively little for acne scarring or dynamic wrinkles. Medium depth peels can be achieved with a variety of chemicals. TCA (trichloroacetic acid) is the most common medium depth peeling agent. Glycolic acid and salicylic acids are other agents which are also sometimes used for medium depth peeling. Medium Depth Peels are treatments which are suitable for most skin types. The results of TCA peeling are usually less dramatic than and not as long-lasting as those of a phenol peel. But advantage with a TCA peel is that the healed skin will be able to produce pigment almost always; the peel will not bleach the skin as can happen with deep peels. It is the best treatment for an average skin and offers the following advantages: Smoothing skin Improving superficial discoloration Removing superficial blemishes Improving color, texture, skin tone Removing fine wrinkles. Removing age spots Improve blotches Removal of dark circles under your eyes. Candidates for medium depth peels The best advantage of medium peels is that they can be safely performed in people with olive and light brown skin unlike the deep chemical peels which are suitable only for fair skin. Medium peels can also be used in people with dark brown skin, but with some risk of discoloration. This can be prevented to some degree by preparing the skin with medical grade skin care treatments such as a comprehensive AHA treatment protocol prior to peels. Such preparation of skin reduces the possibilities of pigmentation changes. The treatment is very effective in younger patients where the treatment really helps to maintain the young skin. The TCA peel treatment procedure The treatment with the medium depth peel requires some skin preparation with a medical grade skin care regimen, microdermabrasion or a combination of both. After skin becomes tolerant it is ready for a more aggressive medium depth peeling program using 6-7 coats of a Jessner peel. The procedure is performed three times repeating it on the third day of the treatment. The treatment proceeds in a stepwise pattern - the peel is first applied to the central face continuing to mid cheek and then to the ears. The peeling progresses across the face like a wave and generates new skin cells during the peeling process. The Jessner peels may be repeated every 2-3 months. TCA in concentrations (20-35%) can also be added as an intermediate-depth peel. At this concentration level the peel is well tolerated and an effective peel. But above this concentration (for example, 45-55%) the TCA tends to penetrate irregularly into the skin and may cause scarring. The procedure of its application is similar to a Jessener peel, the flaking progresses across the face in a stepwise pattern from the central to mid cheek to the ears at 3, 5, and 7 days, respectively. It is generally preferred to apply the peel during the mid-week so the patient's peeling and skin sloughing occurs over the weekend. A combination Jessner and TCA peel is also very popular. The Jessner solution is applied in 3-4 coats to strip off the oily deposits and debris from skin to make the subsequent application of TCA more uniform. The combination of Jessner's solution with 35% TCA works in a synergistic fashion for maximum depth of penetration of the peel via keratolysis and keratocoagulation. The safety profile for both peeling solutions is excellent. The repeated coats of Jessner solution accomplish this cleansing which is followed by repeated coats of a 20-35% TCA solution that results in forming a foggy white frost on an erythematous base which is generally at Obaji level 1. Another favorable and popular treatment is the Obagi Blue Peel® which is a controlled TCA (Tricholoracetic Acid) peel. TCA can be used in different concentrations; the correct peel level can be ascertained by checking for epidermal slide. More coatings of TCA peel will progress to a deeper level producing an Obaji level 2 or 3 which is an intense white to yellow blanch. These deep reactions are generally avoided when TCA is used as a moderate peeling agent. Care with TCA Peels TCA-peel patients are advised to avoid sun exposure for several months after treatment to protect the newly formed layers of skin. Even though TCA is milder than phenol, it may also produce some unintended color changes in the skin. References James E. Fulton Jr and Serban Porumb, "Chemical Peels Their Place within the Range of Resurfacing Techniques", Am J Clin Dermatol 2004; 5 (3): 179-187

Medium Depth TCA Peels for Improving color, texture, and skin tone