FIELD THERAPY
Field therapy is a medical approach used to treat areas of skin that have been damaged by long-term sun exposure—not just individual spots, but entire “fields” of affected skin. Think of it this way: if your skin has one actinic keratosis (a precancerous spot), there’s a good chance there are other damaged or abnormal cells nearby that just haven’t become visible yet. Field therapy treats both visible and hidden (subclinical) sun damage across a broader area.
Sun damage tends to affect skin over time and over wide areas, especially on the face, scalp, neck, chest, arms and hands.
Field therapy helps:
- Clear existing actinic keratoses
- Reduce the risk of future skin cancers (like squamous cell carcinoma)
- Restore healthier skin function by treating the entire affected zone
Types of Field Therapy
There are several effective treatments used for field therapy, including:
- TCA chemical peels
- Topical creams like 5-fluorouracil (Efudex), imiquimod, or diclofenac
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT)
- Cryopeels (repeated light freezing treatments)
Your healthcare provider will recommend the best option based on the severity of sun damage, your skin type, and your medical history.
TCA CHEMICAL PEELS
TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels are a proven medical treatment used to help reverse and prevent the effects of long-term sun damage. In dermatology, we often use TCA peels as part of field therapy, meaning we treat broad areas of sun-exposed skin—such as the face, chest, forearms, or scalp—rather than focusing only on individual spots.
TCA peels help by removing layers of sun-damaged skin, promoting healthier skin regeneration and reducing the burden of precancerous changes.
How the Treatment Works
- TCA is applied to the skin in a controlled, in-office procedure.
- It causes the upper layers of damaged skin to peel away over several days.
- This allows new, healthier skin cells to form and helps clear visible and subclinical actinic damage.
What to Expect After the Peel
- Redness, dryness, peeling, and mild discomfort are common for about 5–10 days.
- It's important to avoid sun exposure for 7 days and follow aftercare instructions closely.
- Most patients notice smoother, healthier skin once the healing process is complete.
Who Can Benefit?
TCA peels are especially beneficial for:
- Patients with a history of actinic keratoses
- Individuals with widespread sun damage
- Those at higher risk of developing skin cancer due to cumulative UV exposure
A Preventative Skin Health Treatment
TCA peels are not cosmetic—they are a medical-grade treatment to reduce your risk of skin cancer and manage sun-related skin damage. If you've had actinic keratoses in the past or have significant sun exposure, this may be an effective part of your ongoing skin health plan.
Ready to talk about treatment options? Book a consultation to find out if TCA field therapy is right for you.