Tattoo Removal With TCA Chemical Peels

Approximately 25%-35% of tattooed people desire to have their tattoos removed within 5 years. Tattoo pigmentation goes deep and requires a series of treatments to remove. Most green ink contains titanium dioxide, which is very difficult to remove with laser treatments, but easier with chemical peels. Removal of red or black tattoos usually takes four or five laser treatments, at $150 to $500 each. Green tattoos can still be visible after up to 20 laser treatments, costing you time and $$$$. Ankle tattoos are among the toughest to remove with laser because the skin is so thin in that area. Skin bleaching creams do not give significant results on tattoos and take forever to be effective on most types of discoloration.

Chemical peels are the choice of many, due to the lower cost per treatment and the convenience of new at-home chemical peel kits. Tattoos and semi-permanent makeup gradually lighten with each chemical peel treatment depending on the type of peel solution used.

WHAT IS A CHEMICAL PEEL?

A chemical peel is the application of an acid to the skin to achieve a controlled burn in order to remove the top layers of skin. Chemical peels are often used to remove fine lines, small scars, discolorations such as tattoos, semi-permanent makeup, freckles or liver spots, sun damaged skin, and spots of precancerous keratosis which are removable at the top layers of skin (the epidermis). Peels may be applied to the entire face or to isolated areas, such as the upper lip. Peels can be applied to most areas of the body, using caution on thinner skin areas such as around the eyes. Various peel solutions are used by physicians to remove warts, moles, and calluses. The type and concentration of acid controls the depth of the burn used to achieve light, medium, and deep peels.

PEEL CLASSIFICATIONS

Chemical peels come in 3 basic categories - Light, Medium and Deep. TCA falls into the medium category (depending on %) and is the most desired type since it gives quicker results over the lighter alpha hydroxy acids but is not as traumatic as the heavier phenol peels. 25% TCA is considered a medium strength of TCA and works well on superficial skin imperfections.

Strengths and Applications

Light - AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) including Glycolic, Salicylic and Lactic Acids
Medium - TCA (Trichloroacetic Acid) and Jessners solution
Deep - Phenol, which requires application by a physician

WHERE TO BUY AT-HOME PEEL KITS

Until recently, you had to visit a skin care specialist (dermatologist, esthetician, or cosmetic surgeon) to get a “TCA Peel“ (chemical peel treatment using trichloroacetic acid). The specialist would have you come in for consultation, advise you on how the peel is done, and give you a mild alpha hydroxy acid lotion (AHA) to apply for one to two weeks prior to the peel treatment. The AHA lotion or gel conditions the skin and begins the exfoliation process. On your next visit your specialist would apply the TCA solution and remind you of the post treatment care … avoiding sun exposure and keeping the treated skin protected with an antibacterial ointment, then he’d send you on your way.

Well now you can purchase at-home TCA Peel Kits designed to give you everything you need to apply a peel treatment yourself in the privacy of your home, saving you the expense of office visits and money. Yavonae Skin Care offers TCA Peel Kits that include everything you’ll need from TCA peel solution, cotton pads, and alpha hydroxy acid prep lotions to ointment, sunblock, fans, and concealers. These kits come with complete instructions including how to apply a patch test to determine your skin’s reaction to the peel solution and what strength to use. Unlike deep peels, medium peels may be performed safely on people with darker skin tones TCA is a great alternative when milder peels stop producing desired benefits.

Yvonne Merritt, owner of Yavonae Skin Care, is a licensed esthetician who specializes in chemical peel treatments for achieving flawless complexions. She has written several articles on skin issues and offers an affordable line of professional exfoliation products through her online store at http://www.tcapeels.com



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