12 replies to this topic

[cash]

I have read so many threads and am still undecided about which products to use after a 35% TCA peel. I know many of you experiment with diffferent combinations to see which will yield the best result. Could some of you relay the products you are using or have used post TCA CROSS, Complex, or peel? Which would you suggest? Discourage?

I'm have Kinerase, Copper peptides, Puredeming intense gel...too many to list. The EGF Revive stuff sounds promising- SO CONFUSED! I also take MSM, Zinc, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and B supplements. I know sunscreen is a must and some people use good ol' aquaphor or vaseline, but I'm curious about the other stuff.

Please post your after care products, thanks.

[stefany]

Bio2 Cosmeceuticals Amino-Plex spray is awesome.

[cash]

I had the 35% TCA peel done today. It sure did sting- even with pain medication. It looks like I have a sunburn now and my skin is extremely tight. My physician said that because a skin cycle is six weeks long, touch-ups would be most successful about that time. She says when you wait longer, the area will not "feather" as well with the surrounding skin. I am concerned about demarcation lines after any touch-ups- I will just wait the process out to see how I feel when it's complete. I'll post how everthing goes...

STEFANY- thanks for all your info about Amino-plex. I know you suggested using it right away, but it has yet to arrive. Should I substitute with something else or hold off? The doctor instructed A&D ointment when peeling begins or before if I felt too tight.

Any other advice??

[stefany]

Cash:

Too bad your Amino-Plex isn't in yet. I believe after a chemical peel or dermabrasion you should use a mild ointment---whether it is Aquaphor or some other type. Wounds heal much better in a moist environment. I would go ahead and use what your doctor reccomends, then when you get your Amino-Plex, use that underneath the ointment. All of your other products can be continued once re-epithelialization has taken place, or when your doctors says it's OK.

[edenfield]

this wouldn't be for right after..but later on when your well into the peeling stage Yogurt masks work well. just plain old yogurt, it contains very little amounts of lactic acid and will help mositurize your skin.

[cash]

Stefany-
For some reason the link you gave me to order Amino-Plex was going to take over a week to arrive. I called the other listed on the thread, a medical supply company, and they can have it here at the beginning of the week. I'll miss a few days- should have ordered earlier.

I noticed last night that there is a white streak where the doctor apparently did not swipe with TCA (the rest of my face is red.) It's near the jaw line, and I'm kind-of concerned...it's not a huge area, but not small either- surely noticable. Any input on this? I tried to contact her, but won't be able to reach her until Monday.

[cash]

Maya or others with TCA knowledge:
I am a bit concerned with the peel. Today, as mentioned above, there is a white streak (inch wide, from ear to jaw) that was not touched with the TCA solution AND the other side of my face has many white splotches around the jaw area that look like they were not swiped as well. I did see the uneveness on the latter side yesterday, but it didn't look too bad. I have had blue peels in the past done by estheticians- 15% TCA only. These peels were very UNIFORM- entire face red up until under the jaw. It seems this peel was performed sloppy- and it was done by a doctor! I understand it is a higher percentage, so wouldn't it be crucial to handle the TCA in an even more precise manner? I'm not suggesting the application should be perfect, but I could have done a better job swiping myself. I guess the advantage of Obagi, although lower %, is you can see exactly where the TCA has been applied because of the blue dye. But you can still see the frost without the dye, right?? Maybe my skin is having an adverse reaction. I called the doctor on-call and didn't hear back.
Am I overreacting? I hope the Amino-Plex arrives tomorrow so I can help this heal correctly.

[Maya]

cash - I have never had a TCA peel of this strength. It's obviously possible that some parts of your face got a thicker layer of TCA than other parts. This may not be a problem at all (I have done the TCA complex peel and on my scarred areas swiped them much more than in other areas = only some areas frosted up) ... but that didn't give me bad results.

Keep the areas moist and apply amino-plex liberally 2-3 times a day when it arrives.

[cash]

Maya-
Thanks for the input. The TCA complex is a much lower strength, so I'm wondering if you still had redness after you peeled?
My face is still the same- tight and have yet to peel- one side with a huge white streak and the other totally blotchy. I also noticed she put a good swipe of the TCA under my chin that is very dark compared to the rest of my skin. And, she got my ear lobes and tops of my ears (how can she get those parts and not the areas that needed to be treated?) Anyhow, she is gone for spring break and I spoke with a doctor yesterday who said it does sound like she missed swiping those areas. I guess I'll peel at home from now on- this is really disappointing that it was done so sloppy. I'm taking photos to show her when she gets back. Has anyone had an experience like this with a TCA peel? Should I voice my concerns with her or just let it go? Any opinions? Sometimes I feel like I'm overreacting, but then I think- hey, this is my face!

[jc]

The TCA complex is a much lower strength, so I'm wondering if you still had redness after you peeled?

For me, I didn't get any redness after peeling...BUT...I was too anxious at the very beginning and prematurely picked off a spot on the tip of my nose which left a good red mark for about 5 days after peel completion. It went away after, but still...just some advice...don't pick.

[imbue]

Maya-
Thanks for the input.  The TCA complex is a much lower strength, so I'm wondering if you still had redness after you peeled? 
My face is still the same- tight and have yet to peel- one side with a huge white streak and the other totally blotchy.  I also noticed she put a good swipe of the TCA under my chin that is very dark compared to the rest of my skin.  And, she got my ear lobes and tops of my ears (how can she get those parts and not the areas that needed to be treated?)  Anyhow, she is gone for spring break and I spoke with a doctor yesterday who said it does sound like she missed swiping those areas.  I guess I'll peel at home from now on- this is really disappointing that it was done so sloppy.  I'm taking photos to show her when she gets back.  Has anyone had an experience like this with a TCA peel?  Should I voice my concerns with her or just let it go?  Any opinions?  Sometimes I feel like I'm overreacting, but then I think- hey, this is my face!

Get your money back and if they offer to do it again, than say how can I trust you.

[Maya]

  The TCA complex is a much lower strength, so I'm wondering if you still had redness after you peeled? 

I hada little redness, but nothing much. The minute I had applied the 3 layers and many swipes to my face, I applied the Revive EGF cream 3 times a day, every day. Maybe that helped.

[cash]

Well, day 5 and just started to peel slightly around the mouth area. My face still looks bad- she truly did an unprofessional, shotty job (I did my research too- and felt comfortable with her among others.) Of course, your face looks bad after a TCA peel anyhow, but does so in an even manner. I'll have to show her the pictures and whatever my face currently looks like when she gets back from vacation. I can't see the one side of my face healing correctly with the big, white blotches everywhere. I'm thinking it will peel, but I'll be left with the blotches and surrounding pink skin. The other side isn't as bad because the white streak seems to blend in a little more. It still baffles me that she got parts of my ear and my eyebrows (and lower,) but missed the important areas that I specifically pointed out were of most concern to me. Guess I'll have to wait it out...wishing the Amino-Plex were here so I could feel like I was at least aiding in the healing process.