Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE LOVE LOVE Glycolic. But some people want a deeper peel (the downtime peel)
For those I offer the Jessner and TCA peels. They are safe for skin types mostly lower on the Fitzpatrick Scale, but you will need a consultation to determine if you are a candidate. A patch test is recommended.
TCA PEEL ~ Exceptional treatment for aging skin, fine lines & wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and acne. TCA peels are especially beneficial in hydration, brightening & plumping the skin.
JESSNER PEEL ~ Softens the depth of surface lines around the eyes and nasolobial folds, clears acne, smooths texture and skin tone. Ideal for oily skin. The innovatively blended formulations effectively exfoliate while brightening and inhibiting pigment production.
Jessner's solution, which is used for a Jessner peel, was originally formulated by Dr. Max Jessner and has been in use for over 100 years. He formulated this solution out of several different chemicals to reduce the toxic effects of each individual component.
A German dermatologist named P. G. Unna described the use of trichloroacetic acid as a peeling agent in 1882. According to "The Color Atlas of Chemical Peels," important discoveries have been made about TCA over time, such as the fact that it can be used in combination with other chemicals or peeling agents.
Jessner's solution is available in one strength only, but the depth to which it penetrates your skin can be increased by applying several layers of the solution during a Jessner peel.
Content
Jessner's solution is made with 14 g of resorcinol, 14 g of salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid) and 14 g of lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) dissolved in enough ethanol to make 100 cc of solution. Beta hydroxy and alpha hydroxy acids are typically used for superficial chemical peels. Resorcinol is structurally and chemically identical to phenol, a chemical used for deep chemical peels.
TCA peels are done with a solution of trichloroacetic acid, which is made by dissolving a certain amount of trichloroacetic acid in enough water to make 100 cc of the solution.
A Jessner peel, according to the book "Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery for Darker Skin Types," is a superficial peel that is used to treat photoaging, age spots, acne, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, melasma and freckles. Jessner peels should not be used on pregnant women or people who are allergic to any of its components.
TCA peels are used for superficial- or medium-depth peels and can treat moderate photoaging, actinic keratosis, blotchy hyperpigmentation, melasma, mild to medium rhytides and superficial acne scars. Safest to not use during pregnancy.
Both peels have many things in common but the Jessner is known to produce results more safely.
Prices:
TCA 15%
2 layers $75
3 layers $100
4 layers $125
5 layers $150
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TCA 25%
1 layer $ 75
2 layers $100
3 layers $125
Jessner
1-2 layers $50
3-4 layers $75
5-6 layers $100
7-8 layers $125
The first evening after the trichloroacetic (TCA) peel, the skin looks reddened and sometimes gray. The face is washed twice a day and a moisturizer is applied. The next day, it looks dry; by the third day, the skin looks strikingly like that of a molting reptile.
By the fourth day after the peel, the skin begins to flake off, in much the same way a bad sunburn does. By the fifth day, the peeling is usually complete and makeup can be applied. Older people usually look red rather than gray. If the peel is purposely deepened, as is required for the treatment of wrinkles, healing can take as long as fourteen days. The redness of the skin will persist for two to six weeks.
Though TCA peels are superficial, bad results can still occur. Brown pigment can return after unprotected sun exposure (hyperpigmentation). I have seen this effect in olive-complected people, particularly if they scratch their skin during the weeks following the peel. Sometimes the peel will not fully remove brown pigment. In this case, it may be repeated in six to eight weeks.
The protective layer of the skin has been thinned, and creams that were previously tolerated may cause problems now. Itching is common. It is treated with Benadryl tablets and hydrocortisone cream.
Scratching is the curse of the peel. It can rip off the delicate new skin and lead to infection. Infection can cause scarring. Trim those long fingernails after a peel!
The effects last between one and two years, depending on the type of skin care that is used and the amount of sun damage sustained. If desired, the peel can then be repeated.
A Jessner's peel is superficial and you should recover quickly. Peeling usually takes about 3-5 days and you won't be red for more than a week or two at most.