TCA CROSS and Full Facial Peel Kit

1. 1oz. 12.5% TCA Peel - Can upgrade to 20% (this will be for use on your full face/neck).

2. .5oz. 20% or 30% TCA Peel (this will be for usage on your scar).

3. 4oz. Copper Serum or VITAMIN C

4. 2oz. Emu oil

Properties

Since our 20% TCA is not recommended for full facial use on beginners (non professionals), we have combined the 12.5% and 20% in 1 kit so you can treat your entire face. *Vitamin C should NOT be added immediately following a TCA peel. Please refrain from usage until peeling is complete. Full direction sheet will accompany your order.

TRICHLOROACETIC ACID (TCA) has a long history of skin care use, and has been deemed as particularly safe and effective when used as a superficial peel (12.5%) or as a medium depth (20% - 30%) treatment for acne scars.

TCA Cross or Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars, is a method created by which a skilled technician applies a high percentage of TCA to the depressed scar tissue only. It is accomplished by soaking a toothpick with the TCA solution, and then by poking it into the depressed portion of the scar and leaving it until it frosts (turns white). This method allows the recipient to use a very high % of TCA (that could otherwise scar an entire face) on just a focalized area. The technique itself has not been patented or restricted to prevent usage.

The CROSS method (in a doctor's setting) is achieved by using a 65% or 100% TCA solution. It has the advantage of reconstructing acne scars by focusing on the dermal thickening and collagen production that increase with high TCA concentrations. We feel that the 20% (30%)is a better choice for our customers because a 65% or 100% solution would permanently scar any surrounding tissues that might be "accidentally" touched during application. We would rather see several "safer" applications applied than less "dangerous" applications.

Basic Steps

After washing with soap, the skin is cleansed with alcohol. The 20% (or 30%) TCA solution is focally applied by pressing hard (yet not causing bleeding!) on the entire depressed area of atrophic acne scars using a sharpened wooden applicator. The skin is monitored carefully until it reached a "frosted" appearance (multiple "layer" applications are not necessary). The frosted appearance is the result of coagulation of epidermal and dermal proteins and is used mainly to monitor the peel depth. After CROSS, an ointment­ based antibiotic will be applied for moisturizing effect, but this application is discontinued after crust (scab) formation in order to avoid the risk of detaching the crust. *We suggest the use of Copper Serum *regular ($38.95 - to avoid irritation) to keep the crust hard and attached for as long as possible. Once the crust has formed, make-up can be applied.

The Cross method will be repeatedly performed every 1-2 months to allow dermal thickening and collagen production.

Recommendations

We recommend that you research this process at an online forum to see pictures, hear stories of the exact treatments other people have followed, as well as their results. We recommend the following forums to view discussion threads:

There are many, many other formulas available, these are just a few to get you started.

What is TCA?

Chemical peels come in 3 basic strengths - Light, Medium and Deep. TCA falls in the light to medium category (depending on %). Our 12.5% will be considered a L-M strength. Our 20% (30% is very deep and only recommended for CROSS) is a medium.

Strengths and common applications

• Light - AHA's including Glycolic, Salicylic and Lactic

• Medium - TCA and Jessner's solution

• Deep - Phenol * Which requires sedation and heart monitoring

Advantages of a TCA application

TCA will improve color, freshness, texture, skin tone, and fine wrinkles. It will also improve superficial discoloration, such as age spots. It may improve blotches and can sometimes improve dark circles under your eyes. A 12.5% TCA peel (1 layer applied) may be repeated 1x every 3-6 weeks for optimal results. A 20% (or 30%) TCA peel can be used for allover facial applications in a doctor's setting, or for targeting specific areas of depressed acne scarring using the TCA Cross Method. TCA is generally considered safe for darker skinned individuals.

Disadvantages

ATCA peel can not improve dynamic wrinkles (smile/frown lines caused by constant movement). To achieve the best results, you should use professional skin care products before your peel (such as glycolic acid 15% cream, glycolic cleanser or retin-a) and anticipate that two or more peels may be needed at one- three-month intervals. If you are prone to fever blisters, the acid can cause a breakout. Prescription medications must be used before a TCA peel is applied or the breakouts could cause scarring.

Preparation for a TCA Peel

Preparing your skin with bleaching products (if you have pigmentation issues *read here!), glycolic acid or retin-a prior to a medium depth chemical peel, will result in deeper penetration, faster recovery, lower risk of discoloration, and a better result. Optimally, you should prepare your skin for several weeks prior to an application. You may already have prepared skin if you are following a professional regemine. After your preparation, your skin should be allowed to rest for approximately 1 week, or until it is in its "normal" state.

The Procedure

Medium peels are usually performed as office procedures, but can done at home with caution and preparation. The Obaji Blue Peel is a TCA peel, and requires generally 5-15 minutes start to finish. The TCA is applied to each area, being careful not to overlap another area (unless multiple layers are being applied for a deeper peel). This should only be done in a doctor's setting. When the desired depth has been achieved, the acid will be neutralized with a bicarbonate solution (baking soda + water) and splashed with cool water if any tingling remains. If your skin has frosted (turned white), which is not very likely using the 12.5% solution at 1 layer *(But extremely likely using the 20% or 30%) solution, your skin will return to its normal color in 15 to 45 minutes. Your skin should be covered with an oil-based ointment (such as Emu oil and Copper Peptide), or Bacitracin (or other comparable ointment) to keep your skin moist and promote healing. You may have slight swelling (only with the 20% or 30% solution) which will go away in a day or two.

Recovery

There should be no discomfort following the procedure. You will wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser and apply a moisturizing ointment (as mentioned above). With a high % of TCA, your face will initially appear red. Within a few days, your stratum corneum (outermost layers of skin) will turn darker, and prepare to peel. The flaking is usually complete in four to seven days. Once your skin has finished peeling, you may begin wearing makeup. You should resume skin care within two weeks of your procedure. Any post "flushed" appearance will fade slowly over several weeks.

Cost

The average cost of a full-face medium chemical peel performed in a spa or office, will fall in the $500 - $1200 range. The TCA Cross method is around $700+.

Duration of Results

Most people will be able to continually see the results of their TCA peels for 6 months - two years. If you use professional collagen inducing, exfoliating skin care products regularly after your peel, you will maximize the duration of improvement. Most people opt to perform 1-3 more TCA peels throughout the year to keep everything looking fresh.

• It has been noted that the collagen production after a TCA peel may continue its production for 6 mos. to a year.

What is the Quality of Our Peel?

Our TCA is a Reagent Grade (ACS). This is the highest purity level that can be attained. It meets the standards of ACS Reagent Chemicals, Current Edition. Reagent grade chemicals are high quality and purity for laboratory use. The American Chemical Society Committee on Analytical Reagents establishes the standards for reagent chemicals. All of our peels are created inside of an FDA registered laboratory.

The dermatology association recommends that you pre-treat hyper-pigmentation issues with a bleaching agent for several weeks or months prior to having a medium depth peel to get your complexion as balanced as possible. No, we do not recommend applying any high strength products immediately prior to a peel. This is a preparatory action.

Could YOU use $100 in FREE PRODUCTS?

We are looking for some Before/During/After TCA peel pictures to show our new customers how effective this peel is.

The photos will be posted online, and we can block out your eyes if you would prefer. Please send us a close up before your peel, during the peeling stage, and an after picture. If it is chosen as one of the few we would like to show, you will receive your choice of $100 in free Platinum merchandise.

Send us:

Your before/during/after pictures.

Asigned letter with permission granting Platinum Skin Care Inc. to use them on our site and as advertising promoting our products.

Please remit photos to: Platinum Skin Care Inc. 48774 Gratiot Avenue, Chesterfield, MI 48051 1-800-917-3155 or 586-598-6075