5th TCA Chemical Peel: day 4

It's spring break this week, so I decided to sneak in one final TCA chemical peel before summer. I used a 25% TCA chemical peel solution.

I applied the chemical peel only to the lower half of my face because I feel this is my problem area. I also do not feel that I need additional peels on the other areas of my face at this point, although I do continue to use 35% glycolic acid weekly all over my face.

DAY 1:
Here's the picture just after the area frosted:

I followed my normal at-home chemical peel procedures. Some people have commented that I don't need to neutralize, but the instructions that came with my chemical peel say to neutralize, so I want to stress that you should always follow the instructions on YOUR chemical peel because they are not all the same. Some that have different pH levels require neutralizing, and others don't.

DAY 2:
On day two after a chemical peel for me, there really wasn't much to see. This is usually a day that I can still go out in public. I'm not wearing sunscreen or makeup here. There's a little bit of discoloration, but powder will cover it.

DAY 3:
This is usually the worst day for me: red, tight, leathery, with no peeling. Liquid makeup doesn't cover well, but powder will camouflage a bit.

Day 4 of a chemical peel for me is better than day 3 because at least the peeling releases the tightened skin, and when it peels, it's like I can see the progress I'm making with my skin.

DAY 4:

Today, the peeling from my 25% TCA chemical peel started and nearly finished, so by early evening, I was out and about with a bit of concealer. Here are pictures during the early part of the day:

Tomorrow I'll post before and after pictures of my 5th TCA chemical peel this season.

5th TCA Chemical Peel: days 2-3

I followed my normal at-home chemical peel procedures. Some people have commented that I don't need to neutralize, but the instructions that came with my chemical peel say to neutralize, so I want to stress that you should always follow the instructions on YOUR chemical peel because they are not all the same. Some that have different pH levels require neutralizing, and others don't.

DAY 2:
On day two after a chemical peel for me, there really wasn't much to see. This is usually a day that I can still go out in public. I'm not wearing sunscreen or makeup here. There's a little bit of discoloration, but powder will cover it.

DAY 3:
This is usually the worst day for me: red, tight, leathery, with no peeling. Liquid makeup doesn't cover well, but powder will camouflage a bit.

Day 4 of a chemical peel for me is better than day 3 because at least the peeling releases the tightened skin, and when it peels, it's like I can see the progress I'm making with my skin.

5th TCA Chemical Peel - day 1

Baby Quasar Light Therapy

What is it?

Am I always the last to hear about the latest gadgets in anti-aging? I just stumbled across the Baby Quasar on Amazon. Okay, I’m intrigued.

Evidently, the Baby Quasar is the portable version of a light therapy machine used in many dermatologists’ offices. From what I’ve read, the Baby Quasar Light Therapy uses different bulbs for different purposes.

The Baby Quasar uses four different wavelengths, between 600 and 1200 nm, both red and infrared, to stimulate cellular activity. According to their website, other devices only use either one or two wavelengths.

Red Baby Quasar Anti Aging Light Therapy

Use the Red and Amber (632nm-660nm) Light Therapy Device for anti-aging Skin because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Red and Amber also help promote fibroblasts and the production of collagen. The website also lists these issues for treatment with the Red Baby Quasar Light Therapy: Acne, Blemishes, Age Spots, Skin redness, Rosacea, Fine lines due to sun-damage, Wrinkles, Enlarged pores, Coarse skin, Skin laxity and "Translucent" Skin. Near Infrared light (880-950) penetrates more deeply, to stimulate blood flow and circulation.

Baby Blue Quasar Light Therapy

The Baby Blue Quasar Light Therapy works by killing the acne-causing bacteria, P. Acne, and works to treat inflammatory acne vulgaris that has not responded to other acne therapies. The P. Acne bacteria releases small molecules called Porphyrins. When Porphyrins are exposed to the Baby Blue's wavelengths of light, they produce free radicals that kill bacteria.

According to their website, “clinical studies in the U.K. have found that the combination of red and blue light therapy help treat inflammatory acne. Both gentle and highly effective, the Baby Quasar and Baby Blue Light Therapy help control bacteria and the release of sebum that is found in hair follicles. Ideal for anywhere on the face, this Quasar Power Pack includes two different types of light therapy; the Baby blue helps increase lymphatic system activity, kill or disable temperature sensitive bacteria and viruses that cause acne, and stimulate tissue repair and healing while releasing enhancing enzymes. The Baby Quasar provides a red light that helps smooth fine lines and wrinkles while firming the skin, shrinking pores, clearing acne, fading scars and reducing inflammation. Both types of Quasars are non-invasive, non-abrasive, quick and easy to use.”

Quasar Light Therapy is FDA registered and FDA accepted. Warning: Individuals taking steroid or cortisone injections, who are pregnant, or have epilepsy, should first consult a physician or not use Light Therapy.

How do I use it?

Cleanse the face and remove all makeup and jewelry from the areas to be treated.
Clean the areas to be treated with any high-quality ph balanced cleanser.
Avoid shining the light directly into the eyes.
Apply either your favorite moisturizer (or any product that emulsifies into the skin) or the Pure Silk HA serum in their instructions. You may safely use the Baby Quasar with any topical cosmetic product that is safe to use on your skin. The website says that the Baby Quasar will increase the effectiveness of the product.
Depending upon your personal goals, treatment may vary, so read your instructions.
Set the frequency and/or mode low.
Stimulate the entire face by starting on one side (lower cheek, neck, and lips) and placing the head of the Quasar Baby directly on the skin. Move the wand slowly over the skin making sure all areas get the light treatment for a full 2 minutes. Move up the cheek to the next area, upper cheek and around the eye. Then after 2 minutes, move to the forehead on one side. Then perform the same treatment on the other side of the face.
After the first pass with the light is complete, do a second pass at high pulse.
You may wish to use the Baby Quasar on your hands, arms, or other areas you wish to improve in appearance. A High/Low Frequency Modulator is inside the hand piece, and a buzzer inside the hand piece sounds every four minutes when in continuous wave mode and every two minutes when in high and low frequency modes to assist in timing the treatment.

Mole Removal Before and After Pictures

Since my dermatologist's laser wasn't successful in permanent mole removal, I've been trying to remove it with 50% TCA mole removal treatments. Here are the before and after pictures of my THREE 50% TCA chemical peel mole removal treatments:

BEFORE:

Mole Before Mole Removal Treatments

AFTER:

Mole After 3 TCA Mole Removal Treatments

It's not 100% healed, but it's close and with a little concealer, you can't even see it. I have pictures throughout the process below...

If you haven't seen the earlier posts on my nose mole, here are the previous pictures and process, for the first treatment.

2nd Mole Removal Treatment

I am using a 50% TCA chemical peel solution WITHOUT washing it off, so it stays on overnight. This strength peel is equivalent to other products labeled for wart and mole removal, but I don't have to buy an additional product.

2 Days After 2nd Mole Removal Treatment

The tiny scab, if you can even call it that, fell off without my noticing it, but I could still see a tiny mole still hiding in its aftermath, so I decided to immediately apply the 50% TCA chemical peel mole removal treatment again.

3rd Mole Removal Treatment

Here's the 3rd mole removal treatment, applied again only THREE days after the 2nd treatment. I'm trying to be more aggressive with it this time!

Mole Frosts after 3rd Mole Removal Treatment

I left the mole removal treatment on overnight again but applied CU3 copper peptide lotion
about an hour after the treatment.

This picture is three days after the 3rd mole removal treatment application:

3rd Mole Removal Treatment

The scab is starting to form, and you can see where I accidentally got a drop of the solution above the mole; fortunately, I saw it when it happened and put a cream on it immediately. Although there's a slight dryness there, it didn't penetrate as deeply as the area on the mole.

Day 4 after the 3rd mole removal treatment. The slight scab fell off.

Day 4 after 3rd Mole Removal Treatment

There are several products you can use for mole removal, but they're very strong, so make sure you don't use these products on anything except moles and/or warts.

Does Cooking AGE your Skin?

As a follow up to my post Eat Your Way to Fewer Wrinkles, below is information related to glycation, the process that causes premature aging and wrinkles.

According to Your Skin, Younger, written by Alan Logan, et. al, eating a diet high in sugars (from fruit juices, sodas, candy, and simple carbohydrates such as pasta, rice, potatoes, bread products, and cereal) is not the only contributor to glycation, which causes premature aging and wrinkles!

The way we cook our foods is also wreaking havoc on our skin, reversing the positive effects of eating right—and every chemical peel you’ve done. If you already know that you can't possibly change your diet or cooking methods, anti-glycations serums are available.

When we cook foods with high and/or dry heat, such as grilling, frying, sautéing, and roasting, we are creating advanced glycation end-products, or aptly named AGEs. These AGEs bind with collagen and cause cross-linking; the result is the loss of elasticity and the creation of wrinkles.

AGEs breakfast foods

So that browning on my sautéed onions and peppers is really a bad thing, even though it tastes sooooo good. Any time you see brown on something you’ve cooked, you are looking at AGEs. Some foods high in AGEs mentioned in the book are roasted meats, such as chicken and vegetables, sautéed vegetables, grilled meats and vegetables, pan- and deep-fried meats and vegetables.

AGEs in snacks

The authors suggest steaming, boiling, simmering, and/or stewing meats and vegetables to reduce AGEs.

They also suggest replacing all refined grains with whole grain products. If you’d like a list of the most common, see my post Eat Your Way to Fewer Wrinkles. The authors also provide a list of foods for comparison: