Accelerated Chemical Peel & Acne Spot Treatment


Accelerated Chemical Peel
I happened upon this completely without realizing that I hadn’t finished peeling.  It had been nine days since I’d applied a 15% TCA chemical peel, and I thought I’d finished peeling on about day six.  Anyway, my face was starting to break out because it had been over two weeks since I’d done a glycolic acid peel, and that eliminates my break outs completely by keeping my pores clean.

After I applied a very thin layer, as I rubbed the solution around to make sure everything was covered, I felt some skin rolling under my fingers.  I immediately rinsed my face, but I still couldn’t see where the skin was coming from.

I applied some of my zinc oxide physical sunscreen because that always shows any flakes at all, and sure enough I had some areas on my cheeks that were not finished peeling.  Here’s a picture that shows there was still skin there.


I think my cheeks just needed exfoliating, so I reapplied the glycolic acid and left it on for about 30-45 seconds and rubbed gently in a circular motion.  The skin rolled off.

It really makes sense when I think about it.  Glycolic acid simply “unglues” dead skin, so it just allowed that skin to come off, and that’s when I realized that I could accelerate peeling, but I think it’s pretty risky to apply a peeling agent so soon after a TCA chemical peel.  I was definitely taking a huge risk, but I knew if I didn’t address the break out before any of them formed and opened, I wouldn’t be able to do a glycolic peel because the pain would be too excruciating.

Spot Treatment with Glycolic Acid?  
 This lead me to thinking of spot treatments with glycolic acid. That’s the perfect solution for dealing with a breakout after a TCA chemical peel.  Rather than risk putting the glycolic acid on all of my newly peeled face, I could use a cotton swab and dab it only on any spots that have arisen as a result of not using my glycolic acid in a couple of weeks.

I will definitely try the spot treatment after a TCA chemical peel, but I won’t be accelerating an entire peel with it, and I would advise anyone else not to do it.  I think that’s just too risky!

Results of my first full-face TCA Peel - BEFORE / AFTER Photos

Friday:
Hello new skin!  I can see a difference not only in my fine lines but also in the melasma around my mouth.   There may be just a few little flakes, but overall, it's done!

I’ve scheduled my next peel for just after Thanksgiving, not before!  Here are the before after pictures.  I have makeup on in the before picture, so it's hard to see some of melasma:

BEFORE:

 AFTER:


Results of my first full-face TCA Peel - days 4-5

Wednesday:
I was really expecting the peeling to be over by Wednesday, but ….  Since I was still peeling, I had to use the thicker CU3 cream  to mask the peeling and snakeskin face, but no one asked about it.  Maybe they were just being nice, but middle-schoolers aren’t known for their tact, so they probably didn’t notice.  Most of my chin peeled by the time I went to bed, and the rest was on its way.

Thursday:
When I woke, I was tempted to pull, but instead I gently cleansed and put the cream on again and put it in my bag to take to work.  I was able to dab on concealer in a few spots where the brown hadn’t peeled off, and I looked normal. 

This picture was before any concealer but after the CU3 cream.  I think if you click on the image, it will get larger and you can see the leathery look on my upper cheek.  I used fingernail scissors to cut small sheets of skin so I wouldn't pull them (yuck).

BREAKING OUT:
I can tell that I should have done a glycolic treatment a couple of days before the TCA peel because I'm starting to see a few spots.  It's now been almost two weeks, and I normally need to do the glycolic acid chemical peel weekly to keep my acne-prone skin clear.

Results of my first full-face TCA Peel - day 3

Tuesday:
Things got a little complicated today because in the morning, my skin felt and looked a little leathery (a very attractive look) if I smiled or made a pucker.  Where's my moisturizer?:

It's getting tighter and itching a little.


In the afternoon, the peeling started around the edges.  I didn’t take my CU3 copper peptide facial moisturizer to work!  I ended up using some of my hand lotion that I keep in my desk drawer to keep the flakes hidden.


I was actually glad the peeling started because the tightness and itching were starting to bother me.  Interestingly, though, the tightness of the peel actually made my face look pretty line-free, so I wasn't really too upset.






Results of my first full-face TCA Peel - days 0-2

My first full-face 15% TCA Chemical Peel is over!  My skin looks fresher, and I know the results will only get better with each of the 5-6 series I’ve planned over this winter.  The week was easier than I though.  Makes me look forward to the prospect of a Chicago winter for once--and what it allows me to do.

My before and after pictures to come.

A few lessons I want to share about this experience:

  1. Never plan an event within a full week of a light TCA peel;
  2. Take your facial moisturizer with you, everywhere;  my new favorite is Squalane from Timeless.  I'll post more about this next week.
  3. Do not pull skin (I didn’t do it, I promise; and I’m so glad because that one extra day peeling meant nothing in the big scheme of things.); I actually ended up cutting some peeling skin from my face using a pair of fingernail scissors.
  4. Record what you did that worked and what didn’t and keep a log of how your skin reacted, so you know what to expect the next time.  Believe me, you’ll forget or get mixed up.

Here’s how days 0-2 went:

Saturday:
I applied the TCA chemical peel at about 10p.m., after we got home from dinner.  I was pink but not red.  Interestingly, TCA chemical peel doesn't sting my skin as much as my glycolic acid does, go figure.
Sunday:
Face felt a little tight, but I really only needed sunscreen and powder to camoflauge the pink.
Monday:
Pink gone.  Skin started getting a little brown, so I used my EltaMD physical sunscreen without tint and let the white zinc hide the color.  I’m sure no one noticed since not even my husband asked about it or made any comments.  Here I am...um, not sure why my mouth was open when I took this??:
Tuesday through Saturday to come...

CU3 Complex - Treatment for your Chemical Peel

I wanted to post more information on a product line I bought specifically to use during my chemical peels because it was recommended on several surgery and chemical peel forums Renova Complex CU3.  The product website states that it is recommended for use after a laser, microdermabrasion, hair removal, or chemical peel:

Slightly blue color is the copper.
Product Line Description:
Soothing base is combined with patented GHK Copper Peptide Complex for enhanced and accelerated healing immediately following a chemical peel or procedure. Helps prevent the formation of crusts and scabbing while maintaining skin hydration also relieves tightness and itching.




You don’t see many products labeled for post-procedure use.  This line includes several products for different skin types and different types of procedures: Gel, Lotion, Cream, and Sunscreen.  I have all of these except the gel.

Neova Complex CU3 Post-Laser Lotion
 
4 oz./120 ml
Benefits
  • Specially formulated for post-procedure skin after laser hair removal, microdermabrasion or non-ablative laser procedures. Can also be used on post-procedure skin after chemical peels. 
  • Unique copper peptide complex provides deep nourishment to skin. 
  • Skin retains moisture for soft, fresh feel.
  • Lotion is light enough to be worn under make-up

 

Neova Complex Cu3 Intensive Repair Creme

(1 oz. / 30ml)

Benefits

  • Complex Cu3 is for post-procedure skin care, use as directed by your physician
  • Intensive Tissue Repair Cream is a copper peptide complex to accelerate skin healing
  • Skin hydrating glycerin gently hydrates and moisturizes the delicate tissue of the skin
  • This product does not clog pores and should be used directly after to lessen post-procedure crusting


Neova Complex Cu3 Intensive Hydrating Gel

(2.5 oz. / 75ml)

Benefits

  • Complex Cu3 is for post-procedure skin care, use as directed by your physician
  • Gently dissolves crusts while hydrating and nourishing post-laser skin
  • Combines skin nourishing copper peptide, magnesium, potassium, sodium, calcium and dextrose to increase skin's natural healing metabolism
  • Skin nourishing ingredients increase skin cellular turnover

ProCyte Ti-Silc Sheer SPF 45 (tinted) 

4.0 fl. oz.

This is great under makeup!  Advanced formula SPF 45 UVA-UVB sunblock for daily protection. Micronized titanium dioxide and silicone based, providing instant waterproof sunblock with a 90% UVA block.

I really like this because it's very moisturizing and is silicone based, so it looks great under makeup; but I wouldn't recommend it for oily skin.  The tint doesn't really seem to make a difference on my skin...just seems to be there to mask the titanium's naturally white tint.  Here's a picture of it:

No more Droopy, Saggy Eyelids!

Okay, this is totally unrelated to my chemical peels, but it has a lot to do with my quest to look younger.  I am so thrilled to have found a surgery-free way to get rid of my sagging eyelids!  If you're thinking about an upper blepharoplasty, wait!  

I eliminated my saggy, droopy eyelids in about four weeks, without creams and without spending a dime!

Here’s a current picture of my eyes.  I’m trying to find one from before, when I had saggy, droopy eyelids; as soon as I do, I’ll post it.  Oh, I'll be 47 in a few months.


I found a picture from the beginning of the summer, so you can see my droopy eyelids:

Here's another from now, with me looking up, like in this before picture:



I happened upon it accidentally when I started reading Dr. Perricone’s latest book, Forever Young.  I decided I really needed to get off all the sugar and high-glycemic foods that I’m addicted to and get on a healthier diet--part of my overall strategy to reclaiming my youth.

Before I go into HOW it worked for me, I’ll tell you WHY I think it works.  I think the saggy, droopy  eyelids are basically supposed to sink back into the socket, but with retained fluids caused by eating too much sugar and salt, they are pushed outward, if there’s excess skin.  Those without excess skin, don’t have the baggy, saggy, droopy eyelids.

Another reason I think diet is the culprit is that I’ve tested it.  I tested it by going back to my sugary ways for about two weeks when I went on vacation, and yes, my droopy eyelids reappeared.  Also, I will wake up with saggy, droopy eyelids when I sleep on my stomach (yes, I know this is bad for other reasons too), but they disappear with about an hour.

Okay, now to how I managed to get rid of my droopy eyelids and how I maintain my younger looking eyes.  I know this is a lot, but the bonus is that I’ve lost 18 pounds, and I’m eating more than I ever did before.  I’ve been doing this for about 10 weeks now, and I’m still shocked every time I look in the mirror.  Thanks Dr. Perricone.  Your creams may not have saved my eyes, but your Metabolic Miracle did.

  1. I stopped eating white bread, yes, bread.  That was probably the second hardest.  I now eat the 8- or 9-grain bread, but no more than one slice a day.
  2. I don’t eat pasta, at all.  Period.  Pasta is a high-glycemic food, which means it’s sugar.  If you’re wondering about the glycemic value of foods, check out this site: http://riskfactor.cancer.gov/tools/glycemic/
  3. I don’t eat candy any more.  I was an addict, to be sure.  I get my fix now with 72% cocoa chocolate.  I actually feel so much better, and I don’t get my dramatic drops in blood sugar, which made me shaky and weak.
  4. Interestingly, I added alot of nuts, eggs, avocados, and hummus to my diet—as much as I want, and I’m still losing weight.  I eat a cup of nuts every night while I’m watching TV.  My favorites are pistachios, but I’ve also eaten almonds, cashews, mixed, and pecans without any change.
  5. I’ve stopped eating so much red meat.  Now I love my steak, so I’ve vowed to get free-range beef next time the urge hits me.  I still make my family burgers, but I have a chicken breast.
  6. Added more fish to my diet, at least twice a week, and I am taking Omega-3 supplements daily.  It’s usually talapia, tuna, or cod, although salmon is in there at least once a week.
  7. I switched from coffee to green tea.  This was really the hardest switch, but it still has caffeine, so I get a little boost in the morning without that heavy coffee feeling (or breath).  I don’t know how much difference this made, but the creamer I was using was very high in sugar, so I know that made a difference.
  8. Last, I stopped drinking milk.  I mostly used milk in my smoothies, so I’ve switched to Greek yogurt.
  9. One last thing that I did, and I’m not sure about this, but I switched from table salt to pink Himalayan rock salt, for the minerals.
His plan includes some of this and other things, but this was what I could manage.  Check out his book; it's a very interesting read.

I really urge you to try this if you’re considering an upper blepharoplasty.

TCA Peel Arms - Day 10

Well, it’s been 10 days since I applied the 15% TCA solution to my arms, and the peeling has finished.
Here are before and after photos.  Do you see any difference?

BEFORE :


AFTER:

No, I don't think so, for several reasons.  The pictures don't show enough detail, and they're not at exactly the same distance.  I'll have to make sure I address that on my next chemical peel.

I will wear sunscreen on my arms if the weather turns nice, which it typically does in the mid-west during October.  If you do a chemical peel, make sure you use at least 30spf sunscreen or sunblock and re-apply them frequently because sunscreen can actually damage your skin if not used properly.  For more on this, check out this post:

http://dermatologydr.blogspot.com/2010/10/is-your-sunscreen-damaging-your-skin.html

My First full-face TCA Peel


I decided to do a full-face TCA peel since I’m out of school on Monday.  I’m going to use 15% TCA, which is just slightly stronger than the patch I did on my face last month.

Tricholoracetic acid (TCA) is a chemical solution. It is a strong acid made by chlorinating acetic acid - and is widely used as a chemical skin peel. This procedure aims to improve the skin's appearance by removing the outer layer of damaged skin to reveal the underlying layer, which is newer and smoother in texture.

I’ve been doing 35% glycolic acid (a type of alpha hydroxy acid, AHA) peels weekly for about the last eight weeks, but TCA chemical peels are more effective than AHA chemical peels  in removing superficial skin, but it doesn’t penetrate deeply as phenol, which is definitely too strong for home use.

TCA is generally referred to as a "medium depth" chemical peel. The main targets of a TCA chemical peel procedure are those individuals with:
  • Fine surface wrinkles
  • Pigment discoloration (blemishes and blotches)
  • Age/sun spots
  • Superficial acne scarring

The advantage of TCA is that the degree and depth of penetration within the skin can be adjusted according to what you want.  The concentration of TCA alters the depth of the peel. Concentration can vary from 10 to 100%, with the higher concentrations leading to a deeper peel, but I don’t know that anyone would ever apply 100% acid to the face—that would be disfiguring, so don’t do it!

The 15% TCA peel I’m applying today will be the first of a series of four, I hope, over the course of this winter, to address fine wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.  It should start to peel within three days, according to the various patch tests I’ve done.

TCA Peel Arms - Day 7


It’s day seven, and I feel like I’m molting. 


I have decided that I have OCD: I cannot keep from peeling this skin.  It’s disgusting!

If you decide to do TCA peels, please look through my posts to see what to expect.  Although this is day seven on my arms, I’ve discovered that my face peels much faster, um, and it’s much harder to do psychologically.

TCA Peel Arms - Day 6


It’s day six, and my arms are peeling in earnest now.  I’m so glad the weather is cool enough for long sleeves.


This photo is just after waking, so there’s practically no moisture there.  It looks a lot better after I apply a moisturizer.  I’m using Reviva’s Lipoic Acid Lotion, which makes the flakes completely disappear.


TCA Peel Arms - Day 4


It’s been four days since I applied the 15% TCA chemical peel to my forearms, and I’m just seeing the first signs of peeling.



I’ve been using a good cream moisturizer, so I know the peeling takes a bit longer than if I’d used a light moisturizer, which I will use on my face next time.