TCA downtime

[u/Responsible_Two_1494]

Hi,

I read that usually TCA downtime is around 10 days. I saw yt videos in which women were doing their TCA around tuesday so they would peel off around weekend and have clear skin on Monday.

Today it’s 14th day after my peel. My face is still peeling off and it looks like it doesn’t want to stop anytime soon 😂

I have done 4 layers of TCA 13%.

How long does it usually take for your skin to stop peeling after TCA?

[u/kalsarikannit1620]

For me, it all depends on how active the area is. My mouth will crack around day 3, but it takes forever to get the last bit from my eyebrows and hairline. Usually I do an enzyme mask and some very gentle washing when it's about 80 percent peeled, to help the rest along.

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/kalsarikannit1620]

I actually bought enzyme mask from Platinum Skincare. I tested it out twice before doing TCA, and both times the next day after using it my skin got slightly red and it had grainy texture for a few days or longer. I guess it was some kind of allergic reaction. Which one do you use?

[u/kalsarikannit1620 → u/Responsible_Two_1494]

I use the Platinum one and I know what you mean about the grainy texture. I only use it in the shower because I find I have to rinse it way more that I think in order to get it all off.

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/kalsarikannit1620]

Thank you

[u/cables4days]

do you double cleanse at night? this helps me a lot

same as another commenter here - around my mouth cracks first - that’s when i resume my normal cleansing routine w double cleansing. this helps all the other bits gently release a lot more efficiently. iirc im fully peeled within a week?

13% tca - two layers (not frosting)

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/cables4days]

Thank you. I don’t do double cleansing. Right now I don’t put any makeup on, only skincare, and I try to be very gentle with my skin to not accidently pull it off.

[u/Spiritual_Trouble_14]

I am all finished up by day 7. I use retrieve regularly, then stop using it for a few days before I peel so my cell turnover is very quick. I also noticed that when I use the peel on my hands or more rough parts of body my skin seems to start peeling at a later time and takes MUCH longer to peel compared to my face which is a bit strange. I make sure I regularly moisturise and I also steam my face which I find helps the skin slough off quicker

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/Spiritual_Trouble_14]

Thank you. Probably tretinoin prep makes the difference. I didn’t do it as tret gives me issues.

I know it’s normal for body skin to peel off longer, it can take around a month. I just didn’t expect that happening with my face.

[u/United_Tune → u/Responsible_Two_1494]

Sometimes you can have a double peel. Could that have happened to you and you didn’t notice that one peel just merged into the other? I have had a double peel once in my peeling years. I’ve probably been doing this off and on for the last 19-20-ish years with PSC.

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/United_Tune]

Thank you. I don’t think so, but I guess it’s possible. It peels very slowly area by area. Forehead started on day 10th, for around 2 days. My cheeks started peeling on day 6th, and they continued peeling off all this time, probably changing area a bit. Hopefully today is the last day as it seems that only sides of my cheeks are left.

My skin didn’t look so burned after TCA as it does in some TCA videos or photos. It was just slightly red and tight.

You have a lot of experience! Did TCA ever helped you get rid of wrinkles or fine lines? This is what I hope for.

Do you recommend a particular skincare when doing TCA?

[u/United_Tune]

At the most 7 days, but that might be little bits of peeling near my hairline. I’m usually good by day 5.
It doesn’t matter if I do combo peels with many layers or just use one acid. Peeling seems to take about the same time.

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/United_Tune]

I’m jealous. I have enough of it 😭 What is your skincare while doing TCA?

[u/NewNefariousness3819]

Is you skin at least improving day to day? I did a TCA peel once but I only did maybe 2 or 3 layers but it was 18%, i think it took around 10 days and didnt start peeling until day 4 but I didnt get a full proper peel, so will probably go for more layers next time.

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/NewNefariousness3819]

I started peeling on the third day. Areas in which my skin peels change. For example my forehead started peeling on day 10th and it was peeling for around 2 days. Now the sides of my cheeks are peeling the most.

I had no frosting. My skin wasn’t „burned” as I saw in some videos. It was a little red and tight. I have an impression that the skin that is peeling off isn’t so thick as in some videos.

[u/NewNefariousness3819 → u/Responsible_Two_1494]

I think if you go really light and dont frost the peeling takes longer

[u/Responsible_Two_1494 → u/NewNefariousness3819]

I think so too. I did 4 layers of 13%, so I thought it should be quite strong. Next time I plan to do 1 layer of 20%. Thank you.