TCA Peel or Jessner Peel - What's the difference?

When it comes to chemical peels, two of the most popular options are Jessner Peel and TCA Peel. Both offer excellent results for improving skin tone and texture while reducing signs of aging, but they differ in their composition and downtime requirements.

The Jessner Peel is a combination of 14% lactic acid, 14% salicylic acid, and 14% resorcinol in an ethanol base. This peel penetrates deep into the epidermis to effectively remove dead skin cells while stimulating collagen production. It also helps reduce acne breakouts by unclogging pores and controlling excess oil production. The main downside is that it can cause discomfort during the application process due to its strong ingredients. Mild stinging will last only 1-2 mins only upon application. A hand fan is provided for patient comfort.

On the other hand, the TCA Peel is a trichloroacetic acid solution that also penetrates deep into the epidermis. It helps reduce wrinkles, even out skin tone and texture, and improve pigmentation by removing dead skin cells and stimulating collagen production. However, it doesn’t have the same ability to unclog pores or control oil production like the Jessner Peel does.

In terms of downtime requirements, both peels have similar periods of recovery time with some redness and irritation lasting up to one week. After this period of initial healing has passed, you should be able to return to your regular activities. However, for optimal results, you may need multiple treatments spaced apart over several months with each treatment having it’s own recovery period.

The Jessner Peel is a combination of salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol. The solution removes the top layer of skin cells in order to unclog pores and reduce oil production while also exfoliating away dead skin cells and improving texture. The downtime for this peel usually consists of mild redness, irritation, flaking/peeling that lasts up to one week. Our TCA Peel is a milder treatment than the Jessner Peel which uses trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in concentrations ranging from 15-20%. It can be used to improve fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage, melasma, acne scars, and blemishes. It is often used to give skin a smoother, brighter appearance. The downtime for this peel consist of 2-3 days of redness and flaking of the skin. In some cases, swelling may also occur but usually only lasts 1-2 days. After the peeling process is complete, you should be able to return to your normal activities with minimal discomfort or disruption.

Both Jessner Peel and TCA Peel are effective in improving various skin conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, sun damage and wrinkles; however, it’s important to note that each treatment has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Depending on your individual needs and desired result please schedule an appointment today to discuss which treatment is best for you!