TCA Peel

Offered at our convenient location in Scottsdale, Arizona

A trichloroacetic acid (TCA) peel is a type of chemical exfoliation treatment used to rejuvenate the health, firmness, and appearance of the skin. TCA peels are designed to remove damaged layers of skin and other cellular debris from the skin’s surface, as well as stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. This treatment can be used to address a wide range of different concerns, including acne, sun damage, dull skin, visual signs of aging, and more.

If you are ready to refresh your skin, look no further than Wolin Plastic Surgery Center. Our practice is led by Dr. Andrew Wolin, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Wolin is dedicated to helping each patient enhance their inner beauty using both surgical and non-surgical treatments alongside expertise in the latest aesthetic techniques, technologies, and treatments.

To get started, please schedule a consultation online or call (480) 945-8440 to reach our Scottsdale office.

About TCA Peel

TCA peels are a type of skin resurfacing treatment that uses a specialized trichloroacetic acid solution to enhance your skin’s health and appearance. This peel is designed to penetrate the skin at a controlled depth to stimulate the production of collagen and support cellular turnover, resulting in a brighter, smoother, and more youthful-looking appearance. TCA is known for its safety, versatile application, and effectiveness, and it has remained the workhorse of chemical peels in dermatology. (1) Regardless of whether you are seeking to reduce your fine lines or address significant skin damage, a TCA peel can help restore smoother and clearer skin.

Benefits

TCA peels offer numerous benefits to patients interested in revitalizing the health and appearance of their skin. Some of these include:

  • Reduced Signs of Aging: A TCA peel can restore a more youthful and vibrant appearance by softening and diminishing early signs of aging, such as wrinkles, creases, and fine lines.
  • Enhanced Cellular Turnover: This treatment can remove damaged skin cells from the outermost layers of the skin, revealing smoother, brighter, and more even skin underneath.
  • Improved Clarity: Dr. Wolin can perform a TCA peel to correct any pigmentation concerns or discoloration caused by sun exposure, acne, age spots, or melasma. This can help you achieve a more radiant and glowy complexion.
  • Collagen Stimulation: TCA Peels can stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, the two proteins essential for maintaining the health, appearance, and elasticity of the skin and its underlying structures.
  • Varying Strengths: Dr. Wolin offers this treatment in varying strengths to address a wide number of concerns, ranging from mild to significant.

Candidates

Suitable candidates for a TCA peel include anyone interested in enhancing the health and appearance of their skin. This treatment may be administered to restore a more youthful look and can effectively address concerns such as:

  • Fine Lines
  • Wrinkles
  • Acne and Acne Scars
  • Sun Spots
  • Sun Damage
  • Rough Skin (2)

Each potential patient should be in good general health without any skin conditions that may affect their results or recovery. Realistic expectations regarding the results of your treatment must also be maintained. Certain patients may be eligible for certain strengths of the TCA peel, but not for others. Dr. Wolin will determine each patient’s candidacy for this treatment during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

Before receiving your treatment, you will be asked to attend a personal consultation. Dr. Wolin will meet with you individually to discuss what a TCA peel is and how it works. He will ask you several questions about your medical history, concerns, and treatment goals, and he will also evaluate the condition and quality of your skin.

Dr. Wolin will use each of these details to determine whether this treatment is appropriate for your goals and create your treatment plan. He will recommend either a light, medium, or deep peel, and he will tailor the entire treatment process to meet your goals. Dr. Wolin will also dedicate time to answering any questions you may have, as we want you to feel comfortable and confident about your upcoming treatment.

To learn more about the cost of your customized peel, please schedule a consultation online or call (480) 945-8440.

Preparation

Once your TCA peel has been scheduled, you will receive a set of pre-treatment instructions to help you prepare. You may be asked to modify your skincare routine to avoid using retinoids, other peels, or other harsh skincare products. Sun protection should be used daily, although excessive or direct sun exposure and tanning bed use should be avoided in general. It is also recommended to stay hydrated and keep your skin moisturized for optimal results.

Procedure

When you arrive for your procedure, you will be led to a private treatment room where your skin will be cleansed to remove any makeup, oils, or residual skincare products. Dr. Wolin will carefully apply the TCA peel to the treatment area. Treatment typically begins on the forehead and temples before progressing to the cheeks and chin. The areas surrounding the mouth and eyes are treated last, as the skin around these areas tends to be thinner and more delicate. (2)

Once the peel is evenly applied, Dr. Wolin will let it sit on the skin for a certain amount of time. As you relax and wait, you may feel a tingling or warm sensation as the solution penetrates the skin. The TCA peel will then either be rinsed off or neutralized using another solution. A soothing ointment or cream may be applied at the end of your treatment to calm your skin and enhance your recovery.

Recovery

Your recovery will vary depending on the strength and depth of the peel received. If you underwent a lighter strength TCA peel, you may be able to return to your daily activities shortly after your appointment. However, those who received a medium or deep-strength peel may be recommended to take time away from their responsibilities to focus on recovering.

After a TCA peel, it is common to experience feelings of tightness and tenderness in the treated area, as well as a red or frosted skin appearance. The skin may begin to peel or flake after several days, but this is part of the skin renewal process. You will need to avoid picking or scratching at your skin and keep the area moisturized using non-irritating products. Sunscreen should be applied when leaving the house, but it is recommended to avoid direct or excessive sun exposure altogether.

Results

The results of your TCA peel will become more apparent as your skin continues to recover. You will be able to experience a brighter, more even, and radiant complexion, as well as a more youthful-looking appearance, as fine lines and wrinkles are eliminated. Your skin may feel smoother and tighter, and you may experience improvements in its overall health. The results of your TCA peel can vary in duration, with lighter peels lasting between several weeks to months, and more intense peels lasting for years.

Although significant benefits may be experienced after one treatment session, most patients experience optimal improvements after a series of regular treatments.

Corresponding Procedures

Croton Oil Peel

The Croton Oil Peel, also known as a modified phenol peel, is a deep chemical resurfacing treatment that can be performed to address deep wrinkles, sun damage, and sagging skin by stimulating the production of collagen. Because this treatment penetrates deeper beneath the skin than other chemical peels, it typically requires a lengthier recovery time. However, this also means the results are more substantial than those of a traditional chemical peel, with patients experiencing the effects of their croton oil peel for years. (3)

Cost of TCA Peel in Scottsdale, Arizona

The cost of your TCA peel will vary depending on the type of skin concerns being addressed, the severity of your skin concerns, whether any additional treatments are performed, as well as several other factors. Dr. Wolin will provide a comprehensive cost estimate for your TCA peel during your consultation after evaluating your medical health and skin quality.

To learn more about the cost of your customized peel, please schedule a consultation online or call (480) 945-8440.

FAQ

What is TCA?

TCA stands for trichloroacetic acid. This is a chemical substance that can be used on the skin to treat lesions, warts, and other dermatological concerns.

How does a TCA peel work?

This treatment uses TCA to penetrate the skin at a certain depth and stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. This enhances cellular turnover, leading to smoother and brighter skin.

Will it hurt to receive a TCA peel?

TCA peels are known to be well-tolerated, with many patients describing the feeling of their treatment as a warm or tingling sensation. While there may be discomfort, this will depend on the strength and depth of the peel received, as well as your individual pain tolerance. We recommend discussing any pain sensitivities or worries with Dr. Wolin during your personal consultation.

How many TCA peel treatment sessions will I need?

The number of treatment sessions needed will vary depending on the type of concerns being addressed, the severity of the concerns, and your goals. While significant improvements can be seen after just one treatment session, most patients see the best results after a series of regular treatment sessions.

How long will it take to recover from a TCA peel?

Your recovery timeline may vary depending on the strength and depth of the peel received. Patients who receive a lighter peel may return to their activities shortly after their appointment, while those who receive stronger peels may be recommended to take several days away from their responsibilities to recover.

References

  1. Bhardwaj V, Sharma K, Maksimovic S, Fan A, Adams-Woodford A, Mao J. Professional-Grade TCA-Lactic Acid Chemical Peel: Elucidating Mode of Action to Treat Photoaging and Hyperpigmentation. Frontiers in Medicine. 2021;8. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.617068
  2. Shireen Samargandy, Raggio BS. Chemical Peels for Skin Resurfacing. Nih.gov. Published October 29, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547752/#article-29107.s4
  3. Soon SL, Wambier CG, Rullan PR, et al. Phenol–Croton Oil Chemical Peeling Induces Durable Improvement of Constitutional Periorbital Dark Circles. Dermatologic Surgery. 2023;49(4):368-373. doi:https://doi.org/10.1097/dss.0000000000003708