Disclaimer
This blog is for educational purposes only and shares my personal experience. It is not medical advice. Always research, patch test, and consult a licensed professional before attempting any chemical peel at home.
Before photo of neck and chest showing sun damage before 20% TCA peel.
If you’ve been following my chemical peel journey, you know I love my 30% TCA peel for my face. But when it comes to my neck and chest, 30% is just too strong. These areas are thinner, more reactive, and more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. So, in this session, I diluted the Makeup Artist’s Choice Adjustable 30% TCA kitdown to 20% and did a full 12-day documented recovery.
If you prefer to watch this process step-by-step, scroll up to the embedded YouTube video — and remember to join me every Wednesday at 10 AM PST on my YouTube channel for live skincare routines.
Why 20% Works Best for the Neck and Chest
Facial skin can handle higher percentages of TCA thanks to more frequent use of actives, retinoids, and exfoliants. But the neck and chest? They’re thinner, have fewer oil glands, and are less accustomed to acids. A 20% TCA solution offers visible resurfacing without the same risk of over-peeling or pigment issues.
Mixing 10 mL of 30% TCA with 5 mL distilled water, preparing gauze for application.
How to Dilute a 30% TCA Solution to 20%
To safely cut a 30% peel down to 20%, I followed the included MAUC dilution guide:
- 2 parts 30% TCA + 1 part distilled water = 20% TCA
- My mix: 10 mL 30% TCA + 5 mL distilled water = 15 mL of 20% TCA
Using a 5 mL syringe and a blunt-tip draw needle makes the process cleaner and more accurate than using droppers.
Products and Tools Used
Products and tools used in this 20% TCA neck and chest peel.
Makeup Artist’s Choice 30% Adjustable TCA Peel Kit (Code: KAOS20)
Distilled water
5 mL syringe + blunt draw needle
Medical gauze pads for application
Briotech HOCl spray
For Real Organics Beef Tallow Balm
Curel Deep Moisture Spray (aerosol)
Tretinoin (Rx) — used during recovery
All product links and sourcing are listed at the bottom of this post.
Frosting and redness on neck and chest during 20% TCA peel application.
Application Process
- Prep: Clean, dry skin. Hair washed so no hot water for several days.
- Dilute the acid as shown above.
- Apply with gauze, not a brush, starting under the chin and sweeping down.
- Wait 5 minutes between layers. Each layer increases depth and intensity.
- A blow dryer (cool setting) helps soothe the burn.
My layering:
- Neck: 2 layers (strong frost early on)
- Chest: 4–5 layers (thicker skin, slower to react)
Stop when you reach uniform frosting and your tolerance says it’s enough. Never force more layers to “get results.”
AFTERCARE PRODUCTS
Briotech HOCl spray after 20% TCA peel.
For Real Organics Beef Tallow used as post-peel aftercare.
Recovery Timeline (12 Days)
Day 0: Red and tight. Applied beef tallow immediately to seal in moisture.
Day 1: Demarcation lines visible. Neck calmer than chest. Very itchy — wore mittens to bed.
Leathery skin beginning to flake at mid-recovery of 20% TCA peel.
Day 2: Introduced tretinoin lightly to help lift dead skin. Continued beef tallow.
Day 3: Leathery texture. Took a lukewarm Epsom salt bath to soothe skin.
Day 4–5: Flaking begins. Used Curel Deep Moisture Spray to hydrate without touching the area.
Day 5 after 20% TCA neck and chest peel.
Day 6–8: Chest and neck breaking and flaking; patience required. Alternated tretinoin and moisturizing days.
Day 8 after 20% TCA neck and chest peel.
Day 9–10: Significant shedding. New, pink skin visible. Avoid picking or rubbing.
Day 11–12: Fully cleared! Skin tone more even, tighter texture, and that post-peel glow returns.
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Aftercare Essentials
DO:
Always use SPF after skin re-epithelializes
Keep skin hydrated and protected (HOCl → occlusive → no friction)
Use cool water only during showers
Avoid heat, steam, or exercise early on
Sleep on clean sheets and avoid sports bras that rub.
DON’T:
Combine with another peel (like face + neck/chest)
Peel, pick, or scratch the skin
FINAL RESULT
Final day 12 photo showing clear, smooth, and brightened neck and chest after 20% TCA peel
Sponsor Acknowledgment
Thank you to Makeup Artist’s Choice for sponsoring this video and for being my go-to for safe, professional-grade acids. Their Adjustable 30% TCA Kit allows full control over peel strength — perfect for customizing to your skin’s needs. Use code KAOS20 to save on your order.
All acids are made in the USA in FDA-approved labs for safety and consistency.
Why I Used Beef Tallow for Recovery
After years of post-peel recovery routines, this was my first time trying For Real Organics Beef Tallow. It’s rich in lipids similar to our skin barrier and loaded with vitamins A, D, and E — ideal for sealing in moisture and preventing premature cracking. It also has mild antimicrobial benefits, which make it a great alternative to Aquaphor.
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If you want to learn more about professional-grade peels and safe at-home protocols, join me inside the Natural Kaos App, where I can share freely and in-depth with our skincare community.
Sourcing (Plain URLs)
20% Off Makeup Artist’s Choice KAOS20 •
10% Off For Real Organics Beef Tallow
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FAQ
Q: What TCA percentage is safe for the neck and chest?
A: 20% is considered effective yet gentle enough for these thinner, more reactive areas.
Q: How do I make 20% from a 30% solution?
A: Mix 2 parts 30% TCA with 1 part distilled water (10 mL + 5 mL).
Q: How long does recovery take?
A: Typically 10–14 days, longer than face peels.
Q: What’s the best aftercare?
A: Keep skin hydrated with an occlusive like beef tallow and use an HOCl spray to prevent infection.
Q: Why not do the face, neck, and chest at once?
A: That’s too much compromised skin at one time, increasing risk of irritation and pigment issues.
Final Thoughts
This 20% TCA peel was the perfect balance of strength and safety for my neck and chest. The results speak for themselves: brighter, smoother, tighter skin without over-exfoliation.
