TCA skin peels use trichloroacetic acid to remove the surface layers of your skin. When new skin grows, it looks younger, firmer, smoother, and more even in tone than the old skin. A TCA peel can roll back the clock for your appearance, but having one can be pricey. A TCA peel home kit can help you enjoy the benefits of a TCA skin peel without the huge price tag. Follow these steps to give yourself a TCA skin peel at home.

Prepare for Your TCA Skin Peel

Preparing for your TCA skin peel can help to make it more effective. You’ll need to start preparing for your peel at least three to four weeks in advance. You should stop exfoliating at least three weeks before you try your TCA chemical peel at home. You should also stop using hair removal products, like wax or depilatory creams.

Apply AHA cream to your intended treatment area daily for at least two weeks before the peel. For the best results, begin applying the cream daily four weeks before your home chemical peel. Choose a cream that contains a three to eight percent concentration of AHAs. These gentle acids help to improve skin texture and tone in advance to make your TCA skin peel more effective.

You may continue shaving the treatment area, if necessary, up until the day before your peel. Do not shave the treatment area on the day of your home peel.

Do a Patch Test Before Your TCA Skin Peel

Before you give yourself a TCA peel at home, do a patch test to see how your skin will react to it. (If you’ve have professional TCA peels before, you may not need to do this).

Use a Weak TCA Peel Solution

If you are performing a TCA chemical peel at home for the first time, purchase a weak solution. Most home chemical peel solutions contain about 12% of the active ingredient. Don’t use a solution that contains more than 25% TCA to perform a home chemical peel, since concentrations higher than this significantly increase your risk of scarring and other complications.

Clean Your Skin Before Applying TCA

Before you apply the TCA peel solution, clean your skin. Use a gentle cleanser. Remove oils from your skin with rubbing alcohol.

Apply the TCA Skin Peel Solution

You can apply the TCA skin peel solution with a cotton ball or cotton pad. Apply the solution evenly to your skin. Do not rub or scrub any areas, even if you think they might need extra help.

After about one minute, a white frost should appear on your skin. This means the acid is doing its job. You can apply a second thin coat of TCA to any areas that do not frost after one minute. Leave the TCA solution on your skin for two to five minutes.
Neutralize the TCA

You can neutralize the TCA by rinsing your face in cold water. Alternatively, you can mix two teaspoons of baking soda with one cup of cold water and dab this onto the treatment area with a cotton pad or ball. After you neutralize the acid, you can apply cold, wet cloths to your face to relieve any discomfort.

Practice Good Post-Treatment Skin Care

Recovering from your TCA skin peel could take as long as two weeks. Wash your face twice a day with a gentle cleanser. Do not scrub or exfoliate your face; use your bare hands to wash. Afterward, carefully pat your face dry and apply petroleum jelly to protect the healing skin. Keep the skin moist while it heals. Avoid sunlight until your new skin has appeared; this usually takes about a week. Use a sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 every day for six months after your home chemical peel.