TCA acid is used for superficial and average depth peels. The treatment is effective against freckles, as well as many other unwanted skin conditions.
About tCA Chemical Peel against Freckles
TCA is short for TriChloroacetic Acid . This is one of the most commonly used acids for chemical peels.
TCA is stronger than alphahydroxy acid (AHA), and therefore a peel with this acid requires greater skills from the person administering the treatment, in order to achieve a good result without the acid reaching too far down into the skin.
TCA is normally used for shallow peels (EasyPeel), where the concentration of acid is low, or for a medium deep peels, which is effective against fine wrinkles, pigmentation changes, and other superficial skin conditions, freckles being one.
Usually, several TCA peel treatments are required in order to achieve a good result.
Along with this treatment information, you will find prices just for treatment of freckles using a TCA chemical peel. In order to see the prices on general TCA peel against wrinkles, acne scars, and other skin conditions, please go to this page:
Generally on chemical Peel (Cauterisation of the Skin)
The purpose of a peel is to remove old and wrinkly, pigmented, or sun damaged skin and to stimulate the production of new and fresh skin cells.
A peel can reduce the fine lines underneath the eyes and around the mouth, wrinkles caused by sun damage, sign of ageing, and hereditary factors, as well as liver spots, freckles, and pigmentation changes. A peel is also able to improve the appearance of shallow scars, and can treat some forms of acne (pimples).
There are various acids available for chemical peel - some more powerful than others.
The stronger and more concentrated the acid is, the greater the effect. Unfortunately, a stronger acid also increases the risk of complications.
The different acids used are:
- AHA (Fruit, milk, or glycolic acid)
- TCA (Tri-chloroacetic acid)
- Phenol
AHA is normally used for a shallow peels, which only affects the top layer of skin. With a mild peel like this.
TCA is mostly used for shallow or medium deep peels, and is the most commonly used acid for chemical peel.
Phenol is the strongest of the three, and is used for medium deep and deep wrinkles, as well as for pigmentation changes.
Suitability
The TCA chemical peel is best suited for people with fair skin.
Persons over 18 with unwanted skin conditions such as wrinkles, acne scars, pigmentation changes, or similar, can benefit from this treatment.
Persons with a tendency to form of keloid (excess scar tissue) or other forms of irregular scar formation are not suited candidates.
The procedure
The treatment takes 10-20 minutes.
Usually, the patient will be asked to apply special medicaments on the skin for a period of time before the treatment. These medicaments contain active agents, which help prepare the skin for the peel, and which will improve its ability to form new skin cells afterwards.
The patient will often receive some antibiotics, which are to be taken before the treatment. This will reduce the risk of infection after the peel.
Before the treatment, the treatment provider will cleanse the skin thoroughly.
Then, one or more acid solutions are applied to small areas of the skin. This create a controlled abrasion and give the skin the opportunity to form new and smoother skin in the area.Anaesthesia
Usually, no sedation is used during a chemical peel. With a deep peel, some painkillers might be given.
Side-effects
Depending on the depth of the peel, the patient will feel it as anything from a light warmth to a stinging pain.
Risk of complications
There is a risk of temporary or permanent discolouration of the skin in the treated area. Some will have a greater hereditary tendency to develop this than others.
The risk of pigmentation changes increases when taking contraceptive pills, or in case of pregnancy, after the treatment.
Healing and recovery
After the peel, the skin will react similar to when getting sunburned. The skin will typically turn red and start to peel off, and it might swell up a little. This usually stops within a week.
After having a deep TCA peel, you might get fluid filled blisters, similar to having a second-degree burn. These will disappear within 1-2 weeks though.
Normal activities, such as work, can be resumed after 10-14 days.
The new skin on the treated area will be very sensitive to sunlight. This should therefore be avoided as much as possible, and the patient should use a sunscreen with a high protective factor for several months after the surgery.
Duration of the result
The result after a few TCA peels is a smoother, fresher skin, where freckles as well as other imperfections in the skin will be significantly reduced, or gone.
In principle, the result is permanent, but of course the skin will continue to age, bringing about the skin changes due to ageing.