First TCA Facial Peel – day 3

Today is day 3 of my 25% TCA Chemical Peel.  As you can see, I applied the peel to only a section of my face because I decided I could deal with concealing part of my face at a time, if needed.

The skin feels dry to the touch, like I have a band-aid on it if I smile.  The redness is completely gone, and now it’s just slightly discolored, as if I had hyperpigmentation in that area.

Here’s a picture with makeup and sunscreen.  After cleansing, I started with Reviva Lotion, then I used La Roche-Posay 60 Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid for Face, all over.  Then I stippled on GloMinerals Concealer and set it with L'Oreal Bare Naturale Face Powder.

First TCA Facial Peel – day 2

Today the section of my face where I applied 25% TCA Chemical Peel yesterday has begun to turn a little brown, as I expected. I’m ready with my GloMinerals Concealer.  I really like this concealer because it doesn’t cause blemishes for me. I’ve used it for about two years now.  I'll post a picture tomorrow with makeup on. After I applied my concealer and powder today, you couldn't see the discoloration at all, but I may need something completely matte.  Any suggestions?

You can see the area that got the chemical peel is still pink and slightly brown.  It's not tender at all, but it is taking on that slightly aged look (more so than usual). I know it looks pretty obvious, but my husband hasn't even noticed. 

I didn't use the Complex Cu3 on my face, although I did on my hands.  I was afraid it would cause breakouts since I'm so acne-prone.  Instead, I used the Reviva Lotion.  Interestingly, the 2nd ingredient in it is apricot kernel oil, and you'd think that would cause a problem, but my skin loves it.  I've been massaging this in twice a day for about five weeks with no breakouts at all.  I think I'm going to buy some Aura Cacia Apricot Kernel Oil.

1st TCA Facial Peel - Day 1

I decided that because of the downtime I experienced when I applied the TCA peel on my hands, arms, and the patch I did on my face, I just can’t do my entire face at once with 25%.  I did a patch on my face of 12.5%, but that took just as long to peel as the 25%, so I’m not sure I want to go down in percentage since I’ll need to do more peels to get the results I want.   

Instead, I’ve decided to do sections of my face, one small section each week.  I think I can manage a small section getting leathery and brown, then cracking and peeling, but I’m not sure I can deal with doing my entire face at one time. 

First, I’ve been doing Glycolic Acid 35% Gel Peel weekly now for four weeks in preparation.  I read that the TCA or deeper peels work more evenly if the dead skin is unlocked via AHAs for about a month.  I also tested the TCA percentage that I wanted to use on several places, including my hands, arms, and face (an area my hair always covers), which also served as an allergy test. So I think I'm ready...

Today, I prepared by gathering supplies: Neutralizer, Alcohol Swabs, and the 25% TCA Peel, then I cleansed with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser. Afterward, I wiped with alcohol wipes, and applied the 25% TCA using a cotton swab. 

The area took about one minute to frost (turn white); I wish I would have taken a picture, but I was too concerned with making sure I was ready to neutralize when I needed to, and it stung a lot.  I’ll take a picture of the frosting next week when I do my second section.

After I neutralized, I rinsed with cool tap water for about 20-30 seconds, patted dry, and applied a new moisturizer that I’ve fallen in love with: Reviva Alpha Lipoic Acid Lotion with DMAE and Ester C.  The area is barely pink now.  It was red for about 15 minutes afterward, but nothing outrageous.  I know it will start to turn a little darker by tomorrow, but for now I don’t even need makeup.

You can see this section of my face has several wrinkles and marks from blemishes.  I hope to reduce the appearance of these with several TCA 25% peels this winter.  We'll see... 

  

This is a repost from last year, and I will repost all my peels from last winter. I am unable to do my peels this year due to a promotion at work (I hate that I am so visible now. Need to figure out how to change that!)

Study Shows at-home Chemical Peel as Effective as Professional

I've known for a long time that some at-home chemical peels are as effective as those done professionally. A recent study shows that people who used the chemical peel agent salicylic acid on warts had the same results as professionals who used cryotherapy or freezing of warts.

"In a project funded by the National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA), researchers discovered that there is no evidence of a difference in clearance rates between patient self-treatment for verrucae (A type of wart) and treatment received by healthcare professionals."

Source: Medical News Today

I used salicylic acid on a wart several years ago, but I didn't use the same strength of salicylic acid that I use to keep acne away, which is what I can find in the cosmetics section at my drugstore! I used salicylic acid 20% gel, roll-on to remove my wart, and I applied one layer per day until I started to see a response.

The area became irritated after about a week, so I waited a couple of days between layers. I've seen products that contain a higher percentage, but it's not really necessary, and salicylic acid that burn the skin, so I would use caution with anything higher.

Supplement Reduces Crows Feet

Most of you who read my blog know that I believe food has a huge impact on appearance, and not just in terms of our weight, resulting from how much food we eat; for example, I believe that sugar is a type of toxin that contributes to premature aging. Some of us have to do more chemical peels just to keep up with the bad diets we have, but…

Some foods actually help fight premature aging, which means fewer chemical peels!

According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), a nutritional soy supplement significantly improved the appearance of crow's feet (skin wrinkles around the outer corners of the eyes), suggesting that supplements containing Natural S-equol have potential to slow skin aging.

S-equol is a compound resulting from the natural conversion of daidzein, an isoflavone found in whole soybeans. Not everyone can produce S-equol after soy consumption because the production depends on certain bacteria present in the large intestine...more chemical peels for those of us who can’t produce it!

Nature's Bounty Soy Isoflavones, Non-GMO, 120 Capsules


Preliminary evidence from observational studies suggests that those who produce S-equol naturally, may have fewer menopausal symptoms. Controlled clinical trials have documented that a supplement containing Natural S-equol reduces the frequency of hot flashes as well as muscle discomfort associated with menopause.

Some studies in postmenopausal women have shown that hormone therapy increases skin's collagen content, elasticity, thickness, and hydration, while reducing wrinkles. Approximately 30% of the collagen fibers of the skin's middle dermal layer are diminished during the first five years after menopause--this means more wrinkles and more chemical peels.

I think most of us have read that soy may be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of menopause, so this isn’t a total surprise to me. I totally believe in the food-aging connection. If you’re interested in learning about other foods that may help reduce premature aging, please let me know.


Solgar - Super Isoflavones, 120 tablets