The skin-care brand PCA Skin offers a line of professional, in-office chemical peels. PCA (short for Physicians Care Alliance) was among the first to take a Jessner’s peel—a combination of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and an antiseptic exfoliant called resorcinol that dissolves dead skin cells and addresses acne and skin discoloration—and enhance it with other ingredients.
Its proprietary professional treatment solutions include ingredients like azelaic acid, kojic acid, citric acid, vitamin C, and hydroquinone, to address a wider variety of concerns and a range of skin types.
Their exfoliating blends are intended to speed skin cell turnover, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, clear breakouts, calm rosacea, and improve hyperpigmentation, including melasma—overall improving skin texture and tone.
Most PCA Skin peel solutions are self-neutralizing, so they can be left on skin without rinsing or adding a neutralizing solution.
There are a number of different PCA Skin peel solutions with various strengths, so it’s easy for your doctor or aesthetician to find the right match for your skin.
Why PCA Skin Peel?
- There’s little to no downtime involved, and you can go about your day immediately after it’s applied.
- While a series of peels is recommended, improvements (like your skin brightening and developing a healthy glow) are usually visible after one treatment.
- The peel solution can be customized to address your unique concerns and skin type.
What happens during treatment?
The doctor or aesthetician will start by cleansing your skin. Then, using a brush or spatula, they’ll apply the chemical peel solution in a number of layers, as determined to best suit your skin. Your entire appointment should take less than 30 minutes.
After the peel is applied, you can go about the rest of your day and wash your face the next morning.
What to expect after treatment?
Flaking typically begins within two to four days, as the dead cells loosen. The level of flaking will depend on your skin’s level of sensitivity and the strength of the peel. Resist the temptation to pick at flaking skin, which can prolong healing and lead to scarring.
Some redness and irritation is to be expected, but a strong burning or itching feeling could be a sign of a chemical burn. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or an ointment like Aquaphor can help calm your skin down.
Your provider may recommend PCA Skin’s own line of skin-care products for use post-treatment. In general, after chemical peels, sticking to a simple skin-care routine is best—think a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer formulated for sensitive skin.
To protect your newly revealed skin from sun damage, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more and avoid direct sun exposure—both good habits to keep up even after your skin finishes peeling.
As for makeup, “I recommend to my patients to avoid using makeup for the rest of the day after their peel, but they can resume their makeup routine the following day.”
