TCA Peel

Deep-acting peel for visible transformation

At a Glance

Pain Level

Mild tingling

Downtime

Light flaking for 3-5 days

Sessions

Course of 3-6 recommended

Duration

45 minutes

Results

Visible after the first session

Frequency

Every 2-4 weeks

What is TCA Peel?

The TCA peel uses trichloroacetic acid, a derivative of vinegar, to exfoliate the outer layers of the skin. By removing dead skin cells and damaged tissue, it stimulates new cell growth and reveals fresher, healthier skin underneath. Peels can range from light (10-15%) to medium (20-35%) or deep (30-35%), allowing customized treatment for various skin issues.

Benefits

Reduces age spots, brown spots, and melasma.
Improves skin texture and elasticity.
Smooths fine lines and wrinkles.
Diminishes acne scars and hyperpigmentation.
Boosts skin hydration for a more radiant complexion.

Is This Right for You?

Adults with moderate-to-deep pigmentation, melasma, acne scars, fine lines, or significant sun damage who want a more transformative peel than AHA/BHA options and are prepared for 5-10 days of visible peeling and recovery..

You may benefit if you have:

Moderate pigmentation and melasma
Acne scars
Fine lines and wrinkles
Uneven skin tone and texture
Sun damage

Pre-Treatment Care

Drink 2 litres of water daily for 48 hours before
Discontinue retinoids, AHAs/BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, and exfoliating scrubs 7 days prior
Avoid unprotected sun exposure, tanning beds, and self-tanner for 4 weeks before
For Fitzpatrick IV - VI skin, pre-treat with a tyrosinase inhibitor (hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin) for 2-4 weeks before
Start antiviral prophylaxis 24 hours before (even without cold sore history, we often prescribe for TCA)
Arrive with a clean, bare face
Plan 5-7 days of social downtime after each session
Tell us about isotretinoin use (must be at least 6 months post-treatment)

Post-Treatment Care

Drink 2-3 litres of water daily for 10 days to support healing
Apply the prescribed bland healing balm (e.g. Cicaplast) every 2-3 hours for the first 48 hours
Apply SPF 50+ mineral sunscreen strictly every morning once the skin is intact, for at least 4 weeks
Expect redness, tightness, darkening, and sheet-like peeling for 5-10 days
Do NOT pick or peel the skin, let it slough naturally
Avoid sun exposure strictly for 4 weeks, the newly healed skin pigments easily
Pause retinoids, vitamin C, and acids for 10 days; restart gradually with niacinamide
From day 7, restart tyrosinase inhibitors to prevent rebound pigmentation
Avoid heat (saunas, hot yoga, intense exercise/sweat) for 72 hours and sun for 4 weeks
Mineral makeup only, from day 5 onwards once skin is intact
Book your next session at the recommended 4-6 week interval, full healing must be complete
Drink 1.5-2 litres of water daily for 48 hours before
Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and ginkgo for 5-7 days before (unless medically required) to minimise bruising
Avoid alcohol for 48 hours before
Plan for a quiet 3-5 days, no gym, no long flights, no deep-tissue massage
For buttock or thigh work, plan how you will sit and sleep for the first 48 hours (avoid prolonged pressure on the area)
Tell your doctor about any blood-thinning medications or previous filler/surgery in the area
Avoid pressure on the treated area for 48-72 hours, no sitting for long periods if buttocks were treated, no sleeping on the area
Drink 2 litres of water daily for the first week to support filler integration
Avoid intense exercise, saunas, hot tubs, and hot yoga for 72 hours
Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
Mild swelling, tenderness, and bruising are normal for 3-7 days, arnica helps
Wear loose, breathable clothing, no tight compression garments on the treated area unless specifically instructed
Review at 2 weeks, your doctor can top up if additional volume is needed
Drink 2 litres of water daily for 48 hours before, RF works best on well-hydrated tissue
Eat a light meal 1-2 hours before; avoid fasting
Avoid alcohol the night before and the day of your session
Arrive with clean skin, free of body lotion, oil, or self-tanner on the treatment area
Wear loose, comfortable clothing
Avoid aggressive scrubs or exfoliation on the treatment area 3 days before
Inform us of any pacemaker, ICD, or metal implants in or near the treatment area, these are contraindications
If pregnant, breastfeeding, or within 3 months of delivery, we'll delay or adjust the protocol
Drink 2-3 litres of water daily for the first week to support collagen remodelling and lymphatic clearance of fat
Apply a hydrating body moisturiser to the treated area for 3-5 days
Avoid direct sun exposure on treated areas and apply SPF 50+ daily
Avoid hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, and intense cardio for 24 hours
Light activity immediately; no heavy lifting for 24 hours
Mild warmth, pinkness, or a 'post-workout' feeling is normal for a few hours
Maintain balanced nutrition and regular exercise to lock in contouring results
Book your next session at 2-3 weeks, consistency across the 4-6 session course delivers the result
Drink at least 1.5-2 liters of water daily for 48 hours before, muscles and skin respond better when well-hydrated
Eat a normal meal 1-2 hours before your session; the muscle stimulation can be tiring on an empty stomach
Remove all jewelry and piercings in the treatment area
Tell us about any pacemaker, ICD, cochlear implant, or metal facial implants (these are contraindications)
Space Body fillers, or Profhilo body by at least 2 weeks from your Emsculpt session
Stay well-hydrated before and after each session
Expect mild muscle soreness for 24-48 hours, this is normal
Maintain a balanced diet to amplify fat-reduction results
Regular movement and core exercise supports the new muscle gains
Results build over 3 months as your body adapts and fat cells clear
Drink 2 liters of water daily for 48 hours before to improve RF conductivity
Skip moisturiser, body oil, and self-tanner on the treatment area on the day of your session
Avoid sunburn or aggressive tanning for 1 week prior
Eat a light meal 1-2 hours before, do not arrive fasting
Tell us about any pacemakers, metal implants in the treatment area, or recent surgery
Drink 2 litres of water daily for the first week to support collagen remodelling
Apply SPF 50+ to any treated areas exposed to sun for 1 week
Keep up with the recommended weekly cadence, the cumulative effect across 4 sessions is what delivers visible tightening
Maintain results with 1 session every 1-2 months
Drink 1.5-2 litres of water daily for 48 hours before, hydration supports lymphatic clearance of broken-down tissue
Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and ginkgo for 5-7 days before (unless medically required) to minimise bruising
Arrive with clean, bare skin on the treatment area
Plan for a quiet 3-7 days, swelling and bruising are common
Wear loose clothing on the day, avoid tight waistbands or compression on the treated area
Tell your doctor about any enzyme allergies or blood-thinning medications
Drink 2-3 litres of water daily for 7-10 days to support lymphatic clearance
Apply cold compresses for the first 24 hours to reduce swelling
Avoid heat (saunas, hot yoga, hot tubs) and alcohol for 48 hours
Avoid strenuous exercise for 48 hours
Avoid aggressive massage of the area unless specifically instructed
Gentle manual lymphatic drainage from day 3 can enhance results
Expect swelling, firmness, and tenderness for 5-10 days, this is part of the mechanism
Mild bruising is common and resolves within 2 weeks; arnica helps
Apply SPF 50+ if the area is sun-exposed
Book your next session at the recommended 2-4 week interval
Drink 1.5-2 litres of water daily for 48 hours before
Stop aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, and ginkgo for 5-7 days before (unless medically required)
Plan a quiet 1-2 days, mild swelling
Wear loose, breathable clothing, no tight compression garments on the treated area unless specifically instructed
Drink 2 litres of water daily for 5-7 days to support booster uptake
Do not massage, press, or rub the treated area for 24-48 hours, let the micro-bumps disperse naturally
Avoid tight clothing or compression garments on the area for 24 hours
Avoid heat (saunas, hot tubs, hot showers) and alcohol for 24-48 hours
No strenuous exercise for 24 hours
Mild swelling or injection-site bumps for 24 hours are normal and resolve quickly
Apply SPF 50+ on sun-exposed treated areas
Book your second session at 4 weeks to complete the course

Who This Treatment Is Not Suitable For

This treatment may not be right for you if any of the following apply. Please discuss your full medical history with us during consultation.

Active infections or open wounds
Recent isotretinoin use (within 6-12 months)
History of keloid scarring
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Active herpes infection
Severe skin sensitivity
Unrealistic expectations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TCA and what makes it more powerful?

Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) is a medical peeling agent that penetrates deeper than AHAs or BHAs, reaching the mid-dermis depending on concentration. Light TCA (10-15%) addresses surface concerns. Medium TCA (20-35%) reaches deeper, treating pigmentation, acne scars, and wrinkles. Deep TCA (30-35% blended with other agents) delivers transformative change with more significant downtime.

How is this different from a vitamin C or glycolic peel?

Vitamin C and glycolic peels work on the epidermis with minimal downtime and cumulative results. TCA reaches the papillary-to-reticular dermis in a single session, producing more dramatic change in pigmentation, texture, and wrinkles, but with significant visible peeling for 5-10 days.

What does recovery look like day by day?

Day 1: skin feels tight, looks pink/bronzed. Days 2-3: visible darkening of pigmented areas, skin tightens further. Days 4-6: sheets of skin peel away, do not pick. Day 7-10: fresh, bright skin emerges with ongoing mild pinkness. Plan 5-7 days of minimal social exposure.

How many sessions will I need?

A course of 3-4 sessions spaced 4-6 weeks apart for most concerns. Deeper scarring or stubborn pigmentation may need 6. We start conservatively and build concentration across the course.

Is it safe for darker skin tones?

TCA must be used cautiously on Fitzpatrick IV - VI because of rebound hyperpigmentation risk. We prime with tyrosinase inhibitors (hydroquinone, kojic acid, arbutin) for 2-4 weeks before and use conservative concentrations. For some Fitzpatrick V - VI clients, we'll recommend non-ablative RF resurfacing or Cosmelan as safer alternatives.

Can it treat melasma?

Yes, TCA is one of the effective treatments for melasma when paired with strict priming, sun protection, and topical maintenance. Be aware: melasma is chronic and hormonally driven, so ongoing management is needed. Cosmelan is our preferred flagship for melasma.

Ready to Book?

Start with a personalised consultation. Our experts will assess your skin and recommend the best approach for you.

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