Trichloroacetic (TCA) peels are a type of chemical peel used to treat a wide range of skin concerns including signs of aging, sun damage, hyperpigmentation and scarring. TCA peels are most commonly performed at medium strengths which require some downtime, but offer significant improvements to the skin’s appearance.
TCA breaks up keratin, a protein found in the skin. This causes the keratin to stop functioning properly, lighten in color and peel away from the skin over the course of several days. As the layers of damaged skin are removed, healthier, smoother skin is revealed beneath.