On Sunday night, after cleansing to remove my homemade lotion, sunscreen, and powder, which is what I normally wear every day, I used alcohol to remove any remaining oils.
I started by applying an even layer of the chemical peel solution using a fan brush only to my trouble area, which is around my mouth. I don't usually use one, but I decided to try one this year to see if I could do a better job with evening out the solution, and I do think it helped.
After about one minute, I applied another layer...and did that two more times. I kept a hand-held fan on my face during this process because it burns.
Here's the frost:
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| Chemical Peel Frost |
I waited a total of five (5) minutes from my initial application then neutralized with spring water and immediately applied my lotion potion. I normally use Neova Complex CU3 post-laser lotion (with copper), but I decided to try my own homemade lotion to see if I could improve my peel & heal time and results by using something minimalist. I don't really know if it helped or not :-/ but it certainly made me feel better knowing that I wasn't slathering a bunch of preservatives on my new skin. It actually took me one extra day to finish peeling using my homemade lotion instead of the CU3 with copper, so I may end up going back to it for my next peel. It's important NOT to use a copper-based lotion daily unless healing.
Since I left for Florida the next day, I was a bit red around my mouth, but I just dabbed blush on the other parts of my face to even it out, rather than trying to deal with applying concealer to my sensitive, burned skin.
By day three, the leathery, cracking skin began. I tried to take pictures with my iphone and ipad, but none of them came out well (I forgot to take my good camera with).
Day 3 (never a pretty day):
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| Day 3 |
By day 4, I was in full peel mode, which can be disturbing, so I tried to hide most of this day, although being in Florida, I think people who did see me thought I had gotten a bad sunburn!
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| Day 4 |
BEFORE:
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| Two days BEFORE Chemical Peel - nothing on |
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| Day 6 - nothing on |
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| Day 6 After Chemical Peel - sunscreen and powder |
Did my 18%-ish TCA on Thursday afternoon last week - began to peel yesterday. Today there is alot of flakes. Not too bad, tho. I feel tho, that I wasted Thrurs/Fri/Sat for there was NO peeling or crusting. Note to self: Apply TCA on TUESDAY since MY peeling begins on the third or fourth day AFTER application and can use the weekend as "down" time. I will start MY retinA end of this week when all redness and inflammation is gone. Would like to do another a week after that. This one was very superficial.
ReplyDelete~~Barb
Barb, Just flakes with 18ish at .6 pH? Wow. How did you dilute your solution?
DeleteTCA 50% solution by PEEL PROS. For 12% solution, mix 1 part 50% tca with 3 parts water - for 25% mix 1 part tca with 1 part. So I mixed 1 part TCA with TWO parts distilled water. Used glass dropper, bowl. IT STUNG. I had been using glycolic peel a week before, too. RetinA during summer months and a glycolic here and there. The stiffness is still in the forehead and eye area. Crinkly. I like it. Some red. Brown crusty spots. Flakes. No real cracks in peeling area at all. I have never mixed my own with this strength but it is on top of the skin. There is NO oozing, scabs, etc. Like a very strong Retin A peel. Interesting. The worst was Sunday (a little get together, too! I looked like I had a thin plastic covering and wrinkles/lines were very pronounced!) Will never do THAT again. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel it was in the 18-20% area of strength, no?
~~Barb
Hi Barb. I think you made a 12.5% solution if you used 1 part 50% and two parts water. Think of it this way: when you use a 1:1 ratio, you're taking the percentage you have and halving it (like you said), so 1:1 with 50% makes 25%; then if you use a 1:1 ratio with 25% TCA, you get a 12.5% solution, assuming your measurement device is accurate. To get 18% from 50% TCA, you'd need to use a 1:1 originally to get it to 25%, then you'd use a 1:.6 ratio, so that's one part 25% TCA to just a hair over half-part water to make about 18%. Does that make sense?
DeleteYou're right, Gabi. It was soooo light. I barely peeled. I made a 25% last Sunday-4th-and used a fan brush as well. What a difference! The application of product is even. The peel is closer to a medium, as well. I am happy :) And reddish/brown. Began peeling yesterday. I did use the 1:1 ratio. The peel was intense but just for a short while. Thanks you so much. Have you heard of oxygen facials? Just wondering. Take care ~~Barb
DeleteJust a side note: I have increased my blueberry. Topical and in supplements/tea/etc. I worry about that glycation thing so I try to get protein in raw items. It sucks that meat has the highest and breads the lowest. Life is funny that way :)
Delete~~Barb
Hey Barb, glad the solution turned out this time! Don't you hate wasting a "hiding" weekend for nothing ;-) Yes, I love the fan brush--can't believe I ever went without it. Yes, I've heard of the oxygen facials. My derm friend says they good for about a week, so I'd save it for just before a big event! I've never done one, but I'm thinking about trying it for a big holiday party this year. Regarding glycation, if you can cut back on carbs, the protein molecule won't bind to them. I am on a very low carb diet (less than 30g day), and that is supposed to decrease glycation. Also if you consume psyllium husk powder (I use it to make my nut-flour breads), that actually binds with sugar molecules, so it can keep the sugar molecules from binding with proteins. Something to research...
ReplyDeleteThanks Gabi - didn't know about the psyllium...I've been low carb/organic/gluten free. Read it's the browing of meats/foods that cause the AGEs and two tblspns of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water before meals is very helpful. Will try it. Couldn't hurt ;)
ReplyDelete~~Barb
Hey Barb, I've read the same about caramelizing, grilling, blackening, etc. --I've tried the ACV, but boy, it's a tough swallow! I just about gag every time I try it. Have you tried the ACV pills? Wonder if they do the same??
DeleteWhat were the measurements of the 50% TCA verses purified water to obtain 18%??
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog. It's so informative. I'm starting glycolic peels soon and will do one a week for at least a month before my first TCA. I'll either dilute my 50% TCA (.6 ph) down to 12.5% or 18% but I'm not sure of the measurements to get 18%.
Kimberly
To get 18% from 50% TCA, you'd need to use a 1:1 originally to get it to 25%, then you'd use a 1:.6 ratio, so that's one part 25% TCA to just a hair over half-part water to make about 18%.
Delete