TCA Skin Peel

TCA skin peels use trichloroacetic acid to refresh the skin by removing the skin’s upper layers. Here’s how they work.

How Skin Damage Happens

Your skin is composed of two layers, the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outer layer of your skin, the one you can see. The dermis is the underlying layer. Hair follicles grow from this layer of the skin, and the glands that produce sweat and natural skin oils can be found there.

Skin damage is often largely the result of exposure to UV rays and the elements. Lotions and creams can only go so far toward keeping the surface of your skin firm, smooth and even in tone. Chemical peels use acid to exfoliate the upper layers of your skin, allowing fresh new skin to grow.

The Different Types of Chemical Peels

Different types of chemical peels penetrate to different depths in the epidermis and dermis. Mild peels, such as those using AHAs, penetrate no further than the epidermis to remove only the most superficial layer of the skin. Deep peels, such as those using phenol, penetrate through both layers of the skin to repair the most severe damage. Medium peels, such as those using TCA, penetrate through the epidermis and partway into the dermis, to remove more of the skin’s superficial layer.

How TCA Peels Work

Because TCA peels penetrate deeper into the skin than mild peels, they can be more effective against fine lines, wrinkles, scars and blemishes. TCA penetrates hair follicles and helps to clean pores, to improve acne. TCA peels are sometimes used to treat precancerous growths.

TCA peels work because the TCA penetrates through the superficial layer of the skin. During recovery, that layer of the skin hardens and flakes off, taking with it wrinkles, scar tissue, discolored patches and growths. Your skin regrows from the dermis. When your skin regrows it should be smooth and even in color, because it is brand new skin. Wrinkles, scars and discolorations fade, because the old, damaged skin has fallen away and the new skin regrows without damage.