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.

TCA Peel Arms - Day 0

This week I decided to do a series of chemical peels on my forearms.   

I know…seems silly, but I’ve managed to accumulate a lot of UV photo damage, and I want to use the natural protection of this winter to remove some of that damage since long-sleeve season is the perfect time.

I will start with a 15% TCA solution and work my way up so that I end with a 35-40% in early spring, which should give my arms time to repair themselves before shirtless season.

Here’s one of my forearms before the peel, so you can get an idea of the sun spots.

How to do an at-home Glycolic Acid Peel

How to do an at-home glycolic acid peel:

1. Make sure you’re a good candidate for an at-home glycolic peel: no open acne or other lesions; skin color that is not prone to hyper-pigmentation, able to wear sunscreen; completed allergy test on a sensitive area, such as under the chin, with no reaction; have not used any peeling agents (Retin-A or any acids) within 7-10 days, have not shaved the area to be peeled in two days and can wait an addition 24-48 hours to shave.
2. Gather all your supplies: hand towel, peel, swabs, glass dish, timer, water, moisturizer, sunscreen
3. Cleanse to remove makeup and gently blot dry
4. Pore a small amount of the peel into a small glass dish
5. Set the timer: start with 1 minute – by the time you apply the peel to your entire face, it will have been on about 30 seconds when the timer goes off.  This is a good amount of time to start with to make sure your skin can tolerate the peel in those areas that are more sensitive; you can work your way up during subsequent peels (at least one week apart)
6. Using the two swabs, dip them into the dish and apply in this order: forehead, nose, above lip, cheeks, chin area.  I like to use my clean fingers, but that’s just me.
7. When the timer rings, rinse with copious amounts of cool water for about 1-2 minutes.
8. Gently blot the face dry with your hand towel
9. Apply the gentle moisturizer
10. Apply sunscreen
11. Do not use any peeling agents for at least one week.  If your skin tolerates the peel well, you can do another in a week.

I am not a doctor, so follow these instructions at your own risk.