Could Chemical Peels Really Cause Cancer?

You may have caught the recent New York Times article “A Warning on Chemical Peels” or the ultra-scary headline on Jezebel, “Those Chemical Peels That Melt Your Face Off Might Also Cause Cancer.” Wow.The reports in question refer to animal studies that have named TCA (trichloroacetic acid) as a possible carcinogen when used long term. This year, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced its intent to add TCA to the state registry of toxic substances, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that TCA is “probably carcinogenic to humans,” but there is “inadequate evidence” to say for sure.Before you start worrying about the big, scary c-word, our experts say you can relax.First of all, the reports only refer to TCA peels, not lactic acid, glycolic acid or other acids that have boomed in popularity in the past decade. Some might say TCA peels are old-school and falling out of favor, since these other acids are more versatile and can easily be used in over-the-counter products. So if you get a peel at a derm’s office, there’s a really good chance it’s not TCA to begin with.MORE: How Peels and Lasers WorkNot that TCA peels don’t still have benefits. Used to treat everything from acne scars, sun damage, fine wrinkles and even precancerous cells, TCA has been used on skin for decades. The solution is applied to the face for several minutes while a mild to strong sting is felt, depending on the percentage used. Skin is then typically cleansed, and a sunscreen applied, as the freshly peeled skin is more sensitive to UV rays for a period of time afterwards.The New York Times reported, “The greatest concern may be for those who are exposed on a regular basis, including practitioners who regularly apply peeling agents and consumers using over-the-counter products a bit too enthusiastically.”But…Practitioners wear gloves when applying TCA peels. “Wearing gloves prevents any concern of over-exposure to TCA, even if they are doing several peels a day,” says Dr. Diana Howard, Vice President for Research & Development at The International Dermal Institute and Dermalogica.MORE: Tips for Performing an At-Home PeelAnd as for at-home consumer use, long-term exposure is very difficult to get since the peel is on the skin for a short time. Even the most gung-ho at-home peeler would have to stop at some point, or else all of her skin would be burned off. And over-the-counter TCA peels typically come in superficial strengths of 15 to 25 percent at the most, while physicians often use concentrations up to 50 percent. Deep-depth peels with TCA and other ingredients that cause the Freddy Kruger face and require you to go into hiding for weeks (think Samantha on “Sex & The City”) are rarely used anymore, since savvier options like laser are more effective and safer in most cases.“There are no human studies proving systemic toxicity. TCA is actually in drinking water as a by-product of the chlorination process,” says Montclair, N.J., dermatologist and YouBeauty Dermatology Expert, Jeanine Downie, M.D. “Therefore, I’m not concerned about the exposure. It’s worse to be behind a diesel truck in traffic with your windows down.”The far more pressing danger exists in getting a burn from a TCA peel that isn’t administered properly, which can lead to hyperpigmentation (dark spots), hypopigmentation (light spots) and permanent scarring. Similar complications can arise for people who don’t wear sunscreen as instructed afterwards, and scarring risks increase for skin of color.“TCA in my opinion is an effective chemical peel only in experienced hands,” says Dr. Downie. “People should not purchase this product off the Internet or go to anybody outside a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with years of experience in this area,” she adds.Here at YouBeauty, we are all for these types of studies, because we believe consumers should be aware of any risks involved with treatments and beauty products. What we are not for is inflammatory headlines meant to scare you.For those who do venture into a TCA treatment well-informed, the youthfully smooth results can be worth it.MORE: The Benefits of Newer Laser Peels