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69 of 70 found the following review helpful:
 TCA Peel Success Nov 19, 2009
By Zsa Zsa
After online research, I got a good price on this 20% TCA Peel for my home use. I had paid $250 from a dermatologist for the treatments previously and advise first timers to go to a professional as there are pretty dramatic and scary effects. Since I had observed and noted the steps and suffered the effects with good results before, and wanted to do at least 4 a year, I attempted to do the peel at home with this product. After online purchase it was shipped promptly with instructions that are useful. Enough solution was provided for 10 treatments. WARNING This process is not for the squeamish. When applied for full efficacy, your face will be burned and look MUCH MUCH worse for the first few days. I applied the solution to my whole face excluding forehead. I CAREFULLY got close enough to my eyes to cover the bags and circles. I applied twice until I got the "frosting" white layer (means the layers of your skin which are targeted to be removed have been sufficiently burned). The solution HURTS HURTS for about 1-3 minutes. If you have a low pain tolerance you might get freaked out, but it goes away rapidly. Then for a day you look like a bad sunburn, then a light "scab" forms on the treated areas. I looked like the mummy. Super ugly. This "scab" then cracks and slowly peels by about day 4-5. The light pink skin underneath is slightly swollen so it looks like a fresh young skin. I applied antibiotic ointment thoroughly every day and completely stayed out of the sun. By day 5-6 I could go out to the store. By 7 I let my boyfriend see me. Figure about 6-7 days you cannot go to work or really see anyone you want to see you in a good light 'cause you'll be ugly baby! BUT is it worth it? ABSOLUTLEY YES! I am 56 and had lots of sun damage, discoloration, dark circles, pigmentation. THis was my 3rd treatment in 1.5 years and even though the dermotologist said I should do it every 3 months for a year and then less -- I still see great results. My skin is clear and fewer lines. After 3 weeks my friends said it was "dewey" and want me to do them too. Two tips I learned help this treatment: 1) 4-8 weeks before use a retin or glycolic cream daily and bleach cream (I found AMBI in a Dollar General for $5). This prepares the skin to go deep and also to prevent scars from pigmentation that could occur as a result of the treatment. I used the AMBI and antibiotic ointment 3-4 times a day ON THE BURN for same reason. DO NOT use the retin or glycolic after the treatment at all as those would prevent healing. 2) STAY OUT OF THE SUN after the treatment COMPLETELY for weeks and wear sunblock immediately and for EVER. Good Luck!
46 of 46 found the following review helpful:
Beautiful Skin, Helps even skin tone, Acne scars Jan 26, 2011
By jehren
Holy cow.
Bought all of the necessary products after doing some thorough research online:
cetaphil daily face wash (Walgreens)
rubbing alcohol (Walgreens)
cotton pads (Walgreens)
cotton tipped toothpicks (Platinum Skin Care; Amazon)
vaseline (Walgreens)
baking soda and water solution (grocer)
latex gloves (grocer)
20% TCA peel solution (Skin Obsession; Amazon)
eye dropper (Walgreens)
emu oil (Skin Obsession; Amazon)
cetaphil moisturizer spf 50 (Walgreens)
[Products added later, mentioned in subsequent updates for which I vouch and recommend:
Skin Tightening Serum (Skin Obsession; Amazon)
time release benzoyl peroxide (AcneFree Terminator 5 or 10; Amazon or Walgreens)
Tikkun 20 sunscreen (online, [...])
30% TCA (Professional 30% Medical Grade TCA; Amazon)
40% TCA (Dermalure; Amazon)]
Washed face. Wiped with rubbing alcohol. Applied vaseline around eyes and mouth (some use at base of nose, too) using cotton tipped toothpicks. Prepared baking soda and water in stoppered sink. Put on latex gloves. Applied 20 drops of 20% TCA acid to cotton pad and applied to half of face. Added five or so more drops, and tackled other half of face.
I didn't have any frosting on the first round, so after five minutes, I added more drops to pad and repeated the process. And boy did that burn and frost. I was fanning my face furiously for 4 minutes until finally rinsing my face with the baking soda/water mix (already prepped in the sink). I applied the emu oil after gingerly patting my face dry.
Washed face daily with cetaphil and applied emu oil and cetaphil spf 50 for the next 6 days. Developed a full face scab from day 2 and a half to day 5. It can be a little maddening, and I did NOT go out from day 2 and half to day 5. By end of day six, most of peeling finished. Did my best not to aide in peeling.
The results have been amazing! From what I've read, one isn't supposed to see real results until the second or third peel. And collagen production is supposed to increase over time-- but I have noticed dramatic improvement in my skin texture and acne scars after this first treatment. Can't wait to do another in 3 weeks.
Of course...
Read instruction
Don't peel scabs
Don't saturate pad with TCA until its dripping
Never apply another layer after you frost
Always wear Latex gloves
Never try to blend your own mixtures (buying one strength and diluting it w/ water to lessen the strength)
And to give you some background... I've had problem skin for years. I've tried everything from chemical peels and microdermabrasions to photo facials. Wouldn't recommend trying this at home if you've never tried anything like this before, bc you might not know what to expect.
Otherwise. Awesome awesome awesome :D
UPDATE: I was having trouble breaking out on my chin, so I started applying 10% time release benzoyl peroxide to just my chin spot (break out prone spot)24 hours after applying the peel and every subsequent day. No more break outs and it peels faster than other areas.
UPDATE #2: (Peel 6) I've upped my regimen to 30% strength (Professional 30% Medical Grade TCA from Amazon). Also used Skin Tightening Serum from Skin Obsession (packed with vitamins A, B, Ester C, alpha lipoic acid, etc) AFTER the first 24 hours. Results have been more similar to first couple of peels, including full facial scab. Almost completely peeled by day 4. I attribute the rapid peeling to the Skin Tightening Serum... FAR LESS down time!!!
UPDATE #3: Ok y'all- did my 9th peel of the year recently, but I upped the strength and used a 40% TCA solution from Dermalure on Amazon. As soon as the TCA soaked pad touch my skin, it started to frost. I only applied one layer. This is a medium to deep peel. My skin looked great before, but after this peel, my deeper, rolling acne scars are much diminished. Remember though, that I've built up to this strength, so don't even think about trying this if you haven't done SEVERAL peels at 20 and 30% strengths. Also, I'm adding a few products that I've found work best: the skin tightening serum (for use 24 hours after peel to aide in peeling), time release benzoyl peroxide, the least greasy sunscreen EVER, called Tikkun (but it's pricey), 30% TCA and 40% TCA.
UPDATE#4: This is my last note on this subject, but I thought my 10th peel results might be worth sharing. I did another 40% peel, but this time I think the cotton pad was more thoroughly soaked so it was MUCH deeper and stronger. While the peel turned out beautifully, I would ammend what I have been advocating up to this point (just for the 40%): Don't use benzoyl peroxide, skin tight serum or any other products except sunscreen and emu oil for at least 2-3 days!
This peel was so much deeper than any other that the accelerated peel time was too fast for the new skin beneath. My skin began cracking by day 2 and a half and it was actually kind of painful because the skin beneath hadn't healed. I ended up prematurely peeling off the dead skin layer by day 3 because the cracking was so bad and uncomfortable. I wound up with bright red skin for the next 4 days or so. My face also continued to peel 2 or 3 more times after the major "scab" peeling.
My skin looks great, but I really took a chance and peeled too soon. My pores are almost not visible, and the rolling scars are almost gone. Very happy with the results, but anyone who works herself up to a 40% peel... be careful, and give the skin the time it needs to heal!
Good luck everyone!!!
17 of 18 found the following review helpful:
The ONLY stuff that works! Feb 02, 2009
By Xenosaiyan
It is painful to put on, you look ugly for a week. However, this stuff works GOOD! Just after one application, my scars completely faded. And my deeper ones faded a little...I'm sure with 2 or 3 they'll be gone too. Not for beginner peelers. Put Aloe Vera on afterwards. Don't peel before time. I did, it didn't cause scaring, but it was really really pink lol. I was just anxious to find out the results. And I was impressed!!! Want to fade your acne scars? This will do it. Want to destroy acne, not so sure this can do that, it might. I just use it for scars.
11 of 11 found the following review helpful:
Saved me years of trial & tons of money. Feb 04, 2011
By Vanessa Blanchette
"V. Blanchette"
This product is unbelievable. I'm not saying you can't buy something similar elsewhere, but the knowledge of the seller, instructions, & customer service is incredible. I have been trying for over 5 years to get rid of 20 year-old sun damage. I'm was never a sun worshipper, but am from a time (now 41) when sun screen was just starting to come into popular use. In the past 5 years I have tried micro-derm, laser treatment, every EXPENSIVE over-the-counter treatment, the Obaji system (for a cool $500), & Retin-A, to ABSOLUTELY NO AVAIL. Then I try this peel. I did not prepare my skin in any way, except for the steps outlined in the directions provided by Skin Obsession. I did the peel over all but my forehead, which I plan on doing next. I did a 3-layer peel with the 20%- not that I would suggest this to everyone, but I've done I know my skin & how stubborn my skin is (and very, very fair). 10 days later...95% of my sun damage is GONE.
I'll admit, I was ugly for 5 days. My boyfriend actually used the word "hideous" a few times. It was a bit painful for about 10 minutes but WELL WORTH THE 10 MINUTES OF PAIN!!!!! I used triple-antibiotic & Aquafor alternating depending upon if my skin was at all raw underneath. I also used a very high quality Clinique cream (Night Repairwear for very dry skin)& applied it constantly for the past 10 days. Today, my skin looks AT LEAST 7-8 YEARS YOUNGER. And, some fine lines that I wasn't even really concerned about are significantly diminished. Also, a scar on my face from a mole removal- diminished also. I AM AMAZED. This same treatment at a doc's office would have cost me AT LEAST $400-600. And, I really felt like I was able to apply as needed, where I had concerns, & to my own comfort level.
I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this peel for those with hyper-pigmentation, as long as they have the right skin type. Not one down-side for me, though I know skin varies largely person-to-person.
And, the best part?! I still have enough left for about 15 more peels! (not that I'll do all 15, but maybe one more:)
V
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Awesome peel, really works Jul 27, 2010
By Suzanne Smith
"skygal"
I decided to purchase this peel after noticing my skin was turning uneven and dull once I hit 30. I was also starting to notice fine lines creeping up around my eyes. I've tried the lower concentration department store peels in the past and I find they don't do much and are a waste of money.
First let me say that this strength of peel is not for the faint of heart. It hurts like heck, so if you've never done a chemical peel before you might want to start with a lighter one. I put the first layer on and noticed some frosting on my cheeks, forehead and chin. I was able to leave it on the full five minutes, and then did one more layer on the areas that didn't frost. The second layer made tears run down my face and I could barely leave it on for a minute before I had to wash it off. The first 2-3 days my skin felt tight and leathery. I used a vitamin E oil to keep it moist and stayed completely out of the sun. Days 4-6 the skin started peeling much like a sunburn would. I had to go back to work, so I made sure to use a good sunscreen and I had to put foundation on my face to make it look somewhat presentable. My makeup looked like a caked on mask, but there wasn't much I could do about it.
Now that pretty much all the skin is peeled off I notice a significant reduction in pores, unevenness, dullness and fine lines. There is a slight reduction in dark spots, but I read it can take three peels to achieve a full effect so I'm not too worried about it.
The only con is the downtime. You have to keep in mind your skin is going to look like crap before it looks better, so plan accordingly. I wouldn't recommend doing this peel right before a major event or anywhere you need to look good.
All in all, extremely high quality product for a good price that actually produces results.
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