Experienced skin only · Hillcrest, San Diego
TCA Chemical Peel in San Diego
Our strongest resurfacing peel: 10% or 15% trichloroacetic acid for dark spots, sun damage, acne scars, fine lines and uneven texture. Fully customized to your skin, with Lux Red Light Therapy included and results that keep improving for weeks.
Deeper skin tone or new to peels? Text us at 866.956.1605 first, or see prices.
- 4.9★ on Google & Yelp
- Fully customized strength
- Lux Red Light Therapy included
- Open daily 9am–9:30pm
- Free private parking
TCA Chemical Peel
What Is a TCA Peel?
A TCA peel uses trichloroacetic acid to resurface the skin. Our TCA peels, at 10% and 15%, are the deepest resurfacing treatments we offer, built for visible renewal: dark spots, sun damage, acne scars, fine lines and uneven texture. The old surface peels away over about a week, and smoother, brighter skin comes through underneath.
Every TCA peel is performed by licensed skin therapists in our private Hillcrest studio and fully customized to your skin: your skin therapist chooses the strength and the number of passes, and finishes with Lux Red Light Therapy and a recovery cream moisturizer, plus SPF in the daytime. California limits skin studios to peels that stay in the epidermis, and every TCA peel we perform is planned within that limit.
This peel has real downtime: expect 3 to 7 days of peeling and redness while fresh skin surfaces. If you want peel results without the recovery week, our Organic Fruit Enzyme Peel or the gentle one-pass peel inside our Advanced Rejuvenation Facial may fit better; text us at 866.956.1605 and we’ll point you right.
Why ours
How We Keep a Strong Peel Safe
Strength chosen for you
Your skin therapist chooses 10% or 15% TCA and the number of passes for your skin, history and goals, at no extra cost.
Safe planning for darker skin tones
Experienced skin only, a photo check for deeper skin tones and conditioning first when your skin needs it. We say no when it’s not right yet.
Lux Red Light Therapy included
Every TCA peel finishes with Lux Red Light Therapy to calm skin and support recovery, then a recovery cream moisturizer, plus SPF in the daytime.
A day-by-day recovery plan
You leave knowing exactly what your skin will do each day, what to use, and when to come back for the next peel in your series.
Results
What a TCA Peel Can Fade
Best for experienced skin that wants real resurfacing, for women and men.
Dark spots & sun spots
Dark spots, sun spots and freckles lift with the peeling, so tone looks clearer and more even.
Acne scars & marks
Post-breakout marks fade and shallow acne scars soften as smoother skin surfaces.
Fine lines & wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles look softer, and skin looks firmer once the peeling is done.
Sun damage & rough texture
Years of San Diego sun damage and rough texture resurfaced in a single treatment.
Hyperpigmentation & uneven tone
Hyperpigmentation and uneven tone even out, with brightness that keeps building for weeks.
Congested, dull skin
Congested, dull skin swapped for a fresh surface that reflects light and absorbs your skincare.
Not for you yet? TCA isn’t a first peel, and it isn’t for active tans, pregnancy or breastfeeding. New to peels? Start with our Lunchtime Glycolic Peel or the “I Have No Idea!” Custom Peel Experience. Active breakouts? Our Advanced Acne Facial treats every type of acne, from mild breakouts to cystic acne.
Step by step
What Happens During Your TCA Peel
Six steps in about 55 minutes, with your recovery plan before you leave.
Skin analysis & consultation
Your skin therapist checks your skin closely, confirms your peel history, prep and skin tone, and talks through your goals and your recovery week.
Deep cleanse & prep
Skin is cleansed and degreased so the peel absorbs evenly, edge to edge.
Strength selection
Your skin therapist confirms 10% or 15% TCA based on your skin’s condition and your goals.
Layered TCA application
The peel goes on in controlled passes. Expect warm tingling for a few moments; we monitor your skin the whole time.
Lux Red Light Therapy
Lux Red Light Therapy calms your skin and supports the recovery that starts tonight.
Calm & protect
A calming treatment, then a recovery cream moisturizer, plus SPF in the daytime.
You leave knowing exactly what your skin will do each day, what to use, and when to come back.
Recovery
TCA Peel Downtime & Recovery, Day by Day
Plan your peel for a week when a few days of peeling won’t matter.
Days 1–2
Tight and bronzed
Skin feels tight and looks lightly tan or pink, like a day at the beach you didn’t take.
Days 3–5
Peeling begins
Peeling starts around the nose and mouth and spreads. Hands off: let it lift on its own.
Days 6–7
Fresh skin surfaces
Smoother, brighter, more even skin shows through, and redness fades day by day.
Week 2 and beyond
The glow builds
Results keep improving for weeks. SPF 30 or higher daily from here on, no exceptions.
Price
TCA Peel Price
One price for either strength, fully customized to your skin that day.
TCA Chemical Peel
55 min
$169
Lux Red Light Therapy includedOur strongest resurfacing peel for experienced skin, with your strength chosen for you.
- Skin analysis & consultation
- 10% or 15% TCA, chosen for you
- Layered TCA application
- Lux Red Light Therapy
- Recovery cream moisturizer
- Day-by-day recovery plan
Acne scars and stubborn pigmentation usually take a series of 1–3 peels, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
Before & after
TCA Peel Prep & Aftercare
Simple rules that protect your results.
Before
- Avoid sun and tanning for 2 weeks
- Stop retinoids, retinol and harsh exfoliants 7 days before
- Skip waxing for 3 to 5 days
- Deeper skin tones: 3 to 4 lighter peels and home prep first
- Text us a photo if you’re unsure
After
- Gentle cleanser, calming moisturizer, no picking
- SPF 50 or higher and a hat every day; no direct sun for 10 days
- No gym or sweating for 72 hours; no saunas or hot showers for 7 days
- No exfoliants or actives for 10 to 14 days
- Mineral makeup or tinted SPF after 48 hours
- Once healed, SPF 30 or higher every day
“I had my best peel [here]. [My skin therapist] walked me through the process and showed me incredible aftercare products. After days of peeling and some redness, I was left with incredibly soft, beautiful skin for months.”
Compare
TCA Peel vs. Our Other Peels
How the TCA Chemical Peel compares with the other peels at our Hillcrest studio.
| Treatment | Best for | Downtime | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCA Chemical PeelThis page | Sun damage, dark spots, acne marks and fine lines on experienced skin | 3–7 days of peeling | $169 · 55 min |
| Brightening & Hyperpigmentation Peel | Brightening, melasma and stubborn pigmentation | None to light flaking, days 3–6 | $159 · 55 min |
| Lunchtime Glycolic Peel | First peels, glow and light tightening | None to 1–2 days of light flaking | $139 · 35 min |
| Organic Fruit Enzyme Peel | Organic resurfacing for fine lines and texture | None | $149 · 55 min |
| Korean Glass Skin Peel | Glass-skin glow before an event | None | $129 · 55 min |
| Microneedling MAX | Deeper acne scars, pores and fine lines (collagen induction) | Most are back to normal plans the next day | from $199 |
Before you book
TCA Peel FAQ
Answers to what people search most about TCA peels. Still unsure? Book the “I Have No Idea!” Facial or ask a skin therapist, it’s free.
How much does a TCA peel cost in San Diego?
Our TCA Chemical Peel is $169 for 55 minutes, fully customized to your skin, with your strength (10% or 15%) chosen by your skin therapist and Lux Red Light Therapy included at no extra cost. Around San Diego, TCA peels are typically listed from about $150 to $350. Deeper concerns like acne scars and stubborn pigmentation usually take a series of 1–3 peels, spaced 4–6 weeks apart.
How much downtime should I expect?
Plan on 3 to 7 days of peeling, redness and sensitivity as fresh skin surfaces. Skin feels tight and looks bronzed for the first two days, peeling starts around day 3, and most people look fresh by the end of their recovery week. During the application you'll feel warm stinging for a few moments; we monitor your skin the whole time and cool it right after.
Does a TCA peel work for acne scars?
It helps most with post-breakout marks and shallow, textured acne scars, which soften as smoother skin surfaces over a series of peels. Deep ice-pick or boxcar scars sit below what any peel in a skin studio can reach. For those, ask about Microneedling MAX, which can be planned alongside or instead of your peels.
Is a TCA peel good for hyperpigmentation and melasma?
For sun spots, freckles and post-acne marks, yes: they lift with the peeling. Melasma is different, because heat and irritation can make it flare, so we often start melasma clients with our Brightening & Hyperpigmentation Peel and a home routine first. Your skin therapist will tell you honestly which route fits your pigment.
Is a TCA peel safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, with the right approach. Deeper skin tones carry a higher risk of post-peel dark spots, so if your skin is Fitzpatrick type IV to VI we start with 3 to 4 progressive lighter peels and daily brightening prep at home before any TCA. Text us a photo at 866.956.1605 before booking and we'll map out your plan. Clients of every complexion trust us with peels across Hillcrest and San Diego.
Can I get a TCA peel if I've never had a peel before?
Not as your first peel. TCA is for experienced skin that is already used to chemical peels or regular acids at home. If you're new to peels, start with our Lunchtime Glycolic Peel or book the “I Have No Idea!” Custom Peel Experience, and we'll build your skin up to TCA safely.
How do I prepare for my peel?
Avoid sun and tanning for two weeks, stop retinoids, retinol and harsh exfoliants 7 days before, and skip waxing for 3 to 5 days. Depending on your skin, 1 to 3 weeks of conditioning may come first. If your skin needs it, we'll set that up before you book the peel; text us at 866.956.1605 and we'll tell you exactly what yours needs.
What should I use on my skin afterward?
Gentle, calming and protective: a gentle cleanser, a calming moisturizer and SPF 50 or higher every day. We also carry growth factor and regenerative creams in the studio that you can pick up at your appointment to support your skin's recovery from the peel. No picking, no gym or sweating for 72 hours, no saunas or hot showers for 7 days, and no exfoliants or actives for 10 to 14 days. Mineral makeup or a tinted SPF is fine after 48 hours.
TCA peel vs. microneedling: which is better?
They work differently. A TCA peel resurfaces the top layer, so it's the pick for sun damage, dark spots, uneven tone and rough texture. Microneedling creates tiny channels that trigger your skin's own collagen response, so it suits deeper acne scars, pores and fine lines with less peeling. Many clients alternate the two in a series; your skin therapist will help you plan it.
Can I get a TCA peel while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We don't perform TCA peels during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Tell us when you book and ask your skin therapist about pregnancy-friendly options; we'll suggest gentler treatments to keep your glow until you're ready for TCA, and it's always worth checking any treatment with your OB-GYN.
Is a TCA peel legal at a skin studio in California?
Yes, within limits. California allows licensed skin therapists to remove only the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis, with chemical exfoliation. Our 10% and 15% TCA peels are performed within that limit. A medium-depth or deep peel is a medical procedure performed by a physician.
Is the TCA peel right for me?
If you want noticeable resurfacing, have experienced skin and can give your skin a recovery week, yes. If downtime doesn't fit your life, our Organic Fruit Enzyme Peel, the gentle one-pass peel in our Advanced Rejuvenation Facial and our no-downtime Korean Glass Skin Peel deliver brightness without the peeling week. If you're unsure, book the “I Have No Idea!” Facial and we'll decide together.
Book Your TCA Peel in Hillcrest
TCA Chemical Peel $169 · 55 min · Lux Red Light Therapy included · 1450 Washington St, San Diego · Open daily 9:00 AM–9:30 PM
