A TCA peel can make your skin look vibrant. TCA, or trichloroacetic acid, can lessen the appearance of age spots and remove dead cells on the surface of your skin, making it a popular treatment at day spas.

What TCA Does

Trichloroacetic acid is used in chemical peels, as well as wart and tattoo removals. How deeply the peel can penetrate the skin depends on how much TCA is present in the mixture. The concentrate will also affect how much skin the peel can remove. TCA peels come in mild, medium and deep concentrations. Mild peels are normally recommended for first-time patients.

Plan Downtime

Plan for at least a week of downtime following a chemical peel as it takes seven to 10 days for the top layer of skin to peel off. A moisturizer should alleviate any discomfort you experience during this process. Your aesthetic provider might also prescribe an antibiotic cream or recommend an anti-itch cream.

Relish the Results

Your fresh new look will last about six months if you use the recommended moisturizers and sunscreen. A wide-brimmed hat is also useful if you plan to be in the sun for an extended period of time. As with any skin procedure, be sure to contact an experienced practitioner who has worked with this type of chemical peel before scheduling your next appointment.