25% TCA Peel with LED Light Therapy

This is my 3rd TCA peel this season, so I've graduated to 25% TCA peel strength. I started this season at 18%, then 20%. Here's the frost (I apply only to my problem areas). I applied the peel above my lip earlier in the day since it takes longer to peel and doesn't seem to be as noticeable during the healing process, so that's why it doesn't look frosted here.

Day 0 - 25% TCA peel frost

In addition to sharing this TCA peel's progress, I also wanted to share my (non-professional) thoughts on LED light therapy. From what I've read, LED light therapy will NOT offer any benefits to those seeking anti-aging or wrinkle treatments; however, LED light therapy is clinically proven to offer benefits to injured tissue (see below for sources).

I know many people use this device for anti-aging and wrinkle treatment, so remember, I'm only speaking from my opinion--I have been wrong about many things, so please share any information you may have found (professional or clinical studies are preferred, but anecdotal evidence is also beneficial). I know there is a device called the Titan that is FDA approved for anti-aging and wrinkle treatment only in medical offices, but devices sold for home use are not comparable, according to the literature I've read.

Using my DPL LED Light Therapy following my TCA peel

With this in mind, I've been using the DPL (Deep Penetrating Light) Therapy after my TCA peels since the skin is injured, and the LED light therapy (supposedly) accelerates the healing process. Does it work? I don't know, but based on the clinical studies, I think it has the potential to work. I still see plenty of swelling, but I do think that my peels finish faster, maybe by  1-2 days, compared to others with whom I've corresponded. Since I also purchased this device for pain management due to a ruptured disc, I can justify the price.

Here are pictures of the morning after (day 1, am). You can see the areas where I applied the 25% TCA peel are pink. Physical sunscreen and a bit of concealer will easily hide this.

Day 1 - 25% TCA peel (no makeup or sunscreen)

Day 2 - 25% TCA peel

On day 2, you can see my skin is starting to turn a bit brown, which is normal. The skin is tighter and starting to take on that leathery look and feel, but I can still go out with ss and concealer. Here are side pictures:

I will post pictures in a few days after this 25% TCA peel is finished.


LED Light Therapy Sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11722751
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12928819
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12773705
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11776448?dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11568632?dopt=Abstract
http://heelspurs.com/led.html#skin

Hand Age Spots Treated with TCA Peel: Days 1-10

I used  50% TCA peel and did a spot treatment to age spots on my hands. I used the tip of a plastic pick and dabbed the solution on a few of the "more noticeable" spots.  Here's the progress of the spot treatment of the TCA chemical peel

Here is one of my hands before:

Before 50% TCA peel spot treatment

Day 0 - Spots frosting

Day 3

Day 6

Day 8

Day 10

The spots are lighter (although the lighting is different in all my pictures), but I really need to do a whole-hand treatment, which I hope to get to in January (when I'll need to wear gloves and extra-long sleeves every day).

Remove Skin Tags with TCA Peels - Before and After Pictures

I applied 50% TCA peel on two skin tags on my neck. I did NOT use an alcohol prep since the TCA peel strength was so high.

Here are the pictures (click on the picture to enlarge):

Day 1 - 50% TCA peel on skin tags

Day 2 - 50% TCA peel on skin tags

Day 4 - 50% TCA peel on skin tags

By day 4, the smaller tag had fallen off, and the larger one was coming off around the base.

Day 7 - 50% TCA peel on skin tags

Although I still have a few flat moles on my neck, the two skin tags are gone. They always caught on my necklaces and collars: I'm soooo glad they're gone. Still working on the ones on my back and underarms.

3rd TCA peel - Before and After Pictures

I applied 20% TCA peel on Tuesday night before bed, and these are the pictures from each day.

Before, without sunscreen or powder:

Before 20% TCA peel, no SS or powder

Here's the progression of the peel, by day:

20% TCA peel - Day 1

20% TCA peel - Day 2

20% TCA peel - Day 2 pm

20% TCA peel - Day 3 am

20% TCA peel - Day 3 pm

20% TCA peel, day 4 am

The peeling on day 4 am is only on the sides of my face, so it's easy to cover with moisturizer (and my hair), so this is NOT downtime for me. I'll be out and about, but I'm not ready for my after photo yet.

AFTER:

AFTER 20% TCA peel, day 5

See all my TCA peel BEFORE and AFTER pictures at http://mychemicalpeel.blogspot.com/p/facial-tca-series-before-and-after.html

TCA Peel and Sunscreens

UV rays are my enemy, as far as my face is concerned. If I want to make some vitamin D via the sun's UV rays, I let my body take the hit.

This is especially true when I'm doing TCA peels or any chemical peels for that matter, including retinol, Retin-A (tretinoin), or glycolic acid.

My face is acne-prone, so sunscreens are tricky for me:

1. With sensitive skin, which becomes more vulnerable with TCA peels, a physical sunscreen is necessary!
2. It can't be too rich, or I break out with spots or bumps.
3. If it's too shiny or reflective, it accentuates my fine lines.
4. If it's too matte, I look dried up and old.
5. If it's a fluid with silicones, it breaks me out and accentuates my flakes--and I have to use oil to remove it (too many negatives).

I've been successfully using Keys Solar RX for the last year, but I decided it's time to test some new brands since the technology and toxins change so quickly. Also, while this sunscreen works and meets most of my criteria, it is a bit greasy, so I have to use powder. The upside is that it doesn't break me out, so I may end up sticking with it if my trials don't work out.

Over the next three weeks, I'm going to test out three different brands of sunscreen, all of which have received good ratings from acne-prone users. I found and filtered these out using EWG and makeupalley. I always buy my sunscreen at stores that accept them returned since so many fail.  Two of my favorite places (to return items) are Ulta and Whole Foods. They both accept returns with a full refund if I have receipts and original packaging.

1. Aubrey Organics Saving Face 15 SPF - 12% zinc oxide only, lower SPF and price, okay for the winter, just a bit of a white cast and a little shiny (but some powder fixes that). This week, I'm using only Aubrey to see how my skin reacts. I usually react within 3-4 days if I'm going to break out. I already like the way it looks (with a little powder) and feels, but this lower SPF means winter use only except on those summer days when I know I won't be going outside.
2. MyChelle Sun Shield SPF28 - 12% zinc oxide, <1% titanium dioxide, higher SPF and price, good for summer or winter, no white cast but a bit reflective and shiny.
3. Beyond Coastal Natural Clear SPF30+ - 20% zinc oxide only, higher SPF and price, good for summer or winter, no white cast and matte

I'll post an update at the end of each week with details and my reaction.

3rd Facial TCA Peel - Days 1-3

I applied at 20% TCA peel around my mouth only just before bed (day 0). Here are the pictures starting the morning after the TCA peel application.

Day 1 am - there is a bit of redness under the corners of my mouth in the chin area; I'm wearing NO sunscreen or makeup:

20% TCA peel - Day 1, no SS or MU

Day 2 am: Areas are turning just a bit darker and the dryness is starting. I'm wearing NO sunscreen or makeup, but I do have on a lot of moisturizer.

20% TCA peel - Day 2, no SS or MU

Day 2 pm: Here's a closeup of one area that was red on day 1; you can see the leathery appearance, and a small crack, which indicates that the peeling will probably start tomorrow, as it usually does for me at this strength. I never attempt to pull the skin. Just keep it moisturized and let the healing and peeling work on its own.

20% TCA peel - Day 2 pm, no SS or MU

Day 3 am - the peeling has started and should be mostly finished today; I'm wearing NO sunscreen or makeup:

20% TCA peel - Day 3 am, no SS or MU

20% TCA peel - Day 3 pm, no SS or MU

I'll post before and after pictures this weekend.

Hand Age Spot Treatment with TCA Peel - day 2

Here is one of my hands before:

Hand before 50% TCA chemical peel spot treatment

Here the same hand with the spot treatment frost using 50% TCA:

Frost using 50% TCA

The spots turned dark brown overnight. I hope they heal and peel in TEN days when I have a big holiday party!

Hang Age Spot Treatment - Day 2

Hand Age Spot Treatment with TCA Peel

I don't have the time to do a full hand TCA peel treatment with the holidays upon me, so I decided to do a spot treatment since I know these will be gone within 8-10 days, whereas my last hand treatment with 50% TCA peel took nearly 22 days to completely peel and heal.

Here is one of my hands before:

Hand before 50% TCA chemical peel spot treatment

Here the same hand with the spot treatment frost using 50% TCA:

Frost using 50% TCA

I'll update with pictures as this progresses.

Bye-bye Skin Tags

Well, I've officially lost it. It's funny how something can quickly turn into an obsession: after zapping all those skin tags on my neck, I became fixated on getting rid of the rest of them, but it was tricky.

This is a pretty gross one under my arm. It's white because it frosted after the 50% TCA application:

Underarm skin tag - frosted after 50% TCA application

These two skintags on my back were tricky: I used the long tip of a PLASTIC hair pick. I dipped the end of the plastic (NOT metal) hair pick into the 50% TCA solution and carefully touched only the tip of the skin tag with the solution. I had to do it while looking into my bathroom mirror. If I had a significant other, perhaps he could have done that for me.

Skin tags on my back after 50% TCA solution application

I'm not going to lie: this strength of TCA chemical peel hurts, but fortunately, it doesn't last long. I did NOT neutralize. I think these will be brown within a day or two and fall in a couple days.  Bye-bye skin tags!