Preparing the skin:
Prepare the skin for a TCA chemical peel
using Retin-A (tretinoin) or a weekly glycolic acid peel
for 2-4 weeks before the TCA peel. I believe glycolic acid is better because I don’t have all the side effects that come with Retin-A (and I don’t need a prescription), but I used tretinoin this year along with glycolic acid and found that it took my peels less time. How to do an at-home Glycolic Peel After the skin has been prepared, I am ready for my TCA chemical peel.
Getting Ready
- I made sure I was a good candidate for an at-home TCA chemical peel: no open acne or other lesions; skin color that is not prone to hyperpigmentation, able to wear sunscreen; completed allergy test on a sensitive area, such as under the chin, with no reaction; skin is prepared (see above) 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 two days (if using an electric razor) or 7-10 days (if using a blade razor) to shave.
- Gather all supplies and head to the bathroom or some place that has cool, running water available, as well as the following: hand towel, peel solution, rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, swabs, petroleum jelly, glass dish, timer, hand-held fan, moisturizer, sunscreen
- Cleanse to remove makeup and/or sunscreen; gently blot dry
- Moisten cotton ball(s) with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe the area to be peeled; this will remove all traces of oils, which can cause uneven peeling if not removed
- Apply a thin layer of the petroleum jelly around lips, nostrils, and eyes (I don’t forget eyebrows); this will keep any running or dripping solution from accidentally getting into these areas
- Pore a small amount of the peel into a small glass dish (if diluting the solution, I do it ahead of time and test it)
- Set the timer: start with 3 minutes – by the time I apply the peel to my entire face, it will have been on about 30 seconds since I started. I NEVER LEAVE THE PEEL ON LONGER THAN FIVE MINUTES.
Applying the Peel
- Using the two cotton swabs most of the time: I dip them into the dish and apply in this order: forehead, nose, above lip, cheeks, chin area. While I use my fingers to apply glycolic acid, I don’t want to do this with TCA chemical peel, or I'll peel the tips of my fingers.
- I want to let the areas frost before neutralizing. Frosting is when the skin starts to turn white or looks a bit like a frosted glass. NOTE: if the three-minute timer rings before frosting has occurred, I have to decide if I want to wait. I know my reaction when it frosts versus not frosting. I keep in mind that the longer I leave on the solution, the longer it will take to peel. I NEVER LEAVE THE PEEL ON LONGER THAN FIVE MINUTES.
- Sometimes I have to use my hand-held fan because the stinging can be painful
- When the timer rings or when it frosts, I rinse with copious amounts of cool water for about 1-2 minutes and gently blot my face dry with a hand towel
- Apply a gentle moisturizer, such as Theraplex Hydrolotion Clear for acne-prone skin or shea butter (this does not clog me)
- Apply a physical sunscreen if the sun is still shining; I avoid chemical sunscreens on traumatized skin
- I do not use any peeling agents for at least one week. If my skin tolerates the peel well, I can do another in 4-5 weeks.
- Visit my page Caring for my skin after Chemical Peel