PHA System (Phytic + TCA) — Professional Peel
SECTION 1 — THE PROBLEM
TCA Peels Deliver Real Depth. The Recovery Shouldn't Be This Hard.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is the workhorse of the professional peel — the standard medium-depth treatment for wrinkles, liver spots and other pigment abnormalities, pregnancy mask, sun-damaged skin, pre-cancerous lesions, acne scarring, fine lines, and freckles.
But a conventional TCA peel comes at a real cost. The treatment itself is painful. Treated areas stay swollen, red, and crusted for about a week. Healing takes 10–14 days. More than one session is often needed. And afterwards, the new skin is highly sensitive to sunlight for at least seven or eight weeks.
Complications are uncommon when the professional is properly trained, but they can include comedones or acne, infection (bacterial, yeast, or viral), scarring, and blotchy pigmentation — and the recovery itself is a genuine barrier for many patients.
SECTION 2 — THE MECHANISM
One Peel, Two Actives: The Depth of TCA, the Safety Profile of Phytic Acid
CRC's PHA System is a patented professional peel based on Phytic Treatment Concentrate combined with TCA, available at 15%, 30%, and 50% concentration. It is designed to provide the benefits of both treatments while eliminating the complications of a TCA peel: less irritation, less pain, and a shorter recovery time.
Phytic acid — derived by CRC scientists from brown rice — is the ingredient that makes the difference. Its molecular structure holds the solution at a pH below 1 yet releases no free hydrogen, which is why it exfoliates without irritation and can even be handled barehanded. It dissolves the desmosomes that bind skin cells together, shedding dead layers evenly, without thinning the skin and without disturbing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
TCA contributes what a superficial peel cannot: genuine medium-depth resurfacing. Combined, the two actives deliver real peeling depth with a reduced-complication profile.
Application: layers are applied one at a time. After each layer, pause 1 to 3 minutes, then apply a wet cold towel for several seconds. The skin can slowly turn a whitish-grey frost as the epidermis coagulates — the visual endpoint at which the procedure is stopped. Frost is not always noticeable, which is why the protocol pauses between layers to assess it.
SECTION 3 — THE PROOF
Per CRC's Clinical Experience: Real Depth, Far Less Downtime
Per CRC's stated results, after applying 15% and 30% PHA peels, patients experience much less pain than with equivalent-strength TCA, and maintain results longer without intense inflammation.
Peeling starts in 2–3 days — without changing the skin's color — and lasts 5–12 days depending on the concentration and number of layers applied, without intense discomfort.
Before & after — PHA 15% and 30% protocol.
SECTION 4 — THE COMPARISON
TCA Alone vs. the PHA System
| Dimension | TCA Peel (alone) | PHA System (Phytic + TCA) |
|---|---|---|
| Pain / irritation | Painful during and after | Much less pain |
| Recovery | Swollen, red, crusted ~1 week; 10–14 day healing | Peeling day 2–3; 5–12 days, no intense discomfort |
| Downtime | Real downtime + 7–8 weeks sun sensitivity | Shorter, more convenient recovery |
SECTION 4b — THE PROTOCOL
Usage Protocol (per the CRC Training Module)
| PHA strength | Layers | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 1 | Once a month (first 3 months) | — |
| 15% | 2–4 | Once every 3 months | Wait 1–3 min to observe frost after each layer |
| 30% | 1 | Once every 3 months | — |
| 30% | 2–4 | 1–3 times per year | Frost appears if skin is adequately degreased |
| 50% | 1 | 1–2 times per year | Frost can be seen |
| 50% | 2–3 | 1–2 times per year | Frost |
Aftercare: after any PHA peel, Lightener and Sunscreen must be used for at least 3 months. For best results, a month after each PHA peel, Phytic Treatment Concentrate can be used along with the CRC product line.
SECTION 5 — THE FOUNDERS
Dr. Michelle Volynsky, Ph.D. — organic chemistry. She holds the patent on phytic acid-based peeling compositions. The PHA System was a direct response to the limitations of TCA she observed over decades of clinical formulation.
Dr. Vartan Libaridian, R.Ph., Ph.D. — pharmacist. His transdermal delivery expertise made the non-cytotoxic delivery system possible.
SECTION 6 — THE HONEST DISCLAIMER
Credentialing (stated clearly): PHA 15% is for general professional use. PHA 30% and 50% may be performed only by a medical doctor or a well-trained registered nurse.
Mandatory aftercare: Lightener and Sunscreen must be used for at least 3 months after any PHA peel.
Who it is for: Licensed professionals performing medium-depth peels — dermatologists, medical doctors, registered nurses, and (for 15%) trained estheticians under clinical supervision.
Who it is not for: Unsupervised consumer use. Those with active infections or open wounds on the treatment area. Anyone expecting results without committing to the mandatory 3-month post-peel Lightener + Sunscreen protocol.
Contact us for professional access.
SECTION 7 — THE OFFER
Professional Pricing — Contact Us
A reduced-complication medium-depth peel. Professionally positioned.
SECTION 8 — FAQ
Is this a consumer product I can buy online?
No. The PHA System is a professional chemical peel, not a retail cosmetic. It is available to licensed professionals only.
How does the PHA System compare to a TCA peel?
It is a TCA-based medium-depth peel, but with Phytic Treatment Concentrate added to reduce TCA's complications. Per CRC's clinical experience, patients experience much less pain, peeling that starts in 2–3 days and lasts 5–12 days without intense discomfort, and a shorter, more convenient recovery — while retaining real peeling depth.
How does this compare to Phytic Treatment Concentrate?
Phytic Treatment Concentrate is a superficial, no-downtime peel — effective for pigmentation and texture, but not for very deep wrinkles or scars. The PHA System is a medium-depth peel with real downtime — a reduced-complication version of TCA for deeper resurfacing. See Phytic Treatment Concentrate for the superficial option.
What aftercare does a PHA peel require?
Lightener and Sunscreen must be used for at least 3 months after any PHA peel. For best results, Phytic Treatment Concentrate can be used a month after each peel, along with the CRC product line.
