TCA CROSS remains one of our most popular, safe and effective treatments for Acne scars, especially atrophic pitted ice-pick scars.Patient satisfaction has been high, especially amongst patients who have been disappointed with conventional fractional CO2 laser treatments alone. The procedure is relative painless, comfortable, with acceptable recovery times. In our patients, TCA Cross treatments are used alone or in combination with other acne treatments (e.g. Fractional Laser resurfacing, Dermal Fillers for rolling atrophic scars, subcision, peels etc.) depending on the severity and type of acne scars they have.
BACKGROUND
Acne scarring is an extremely common complication of acne and can be cosmetically disfiguring and have significant negative psychological impact. There is as yet no single appropriate and effective treatment for acne scarring and combination treatments are often required.
Depending on the type or appearance of the scars, different treatments (modalities) may be proposed. These may include surgical Excision, Subcision, Dermal Fillers, Laser Resurfacing, Dermabrasion, Fractional laser resurfacing, Needle Radiofrequency resurfacing or other treatments.
Icepick Scars Icepick scars are among the most common type of acne scar. These are very often narrow, sharp and deep. They give the appearance that the skin has been pierced with a sharp instrument or icepick. They may appear as a deep, open pore; and usually extend into the deep dermis layer.
Ice-pick scars usually develop from a cyst infection or after an inflamed blemish works its way to the skin’s surface. In the process skin tissue becomes destroyed, leaving these column-like scars.
Dermabrasion and Laser Resurfacing can deliver overall improvement and smoothening; but they are often ineffective at improving pitted scars or ice-pick scars as these scars are too deep.
TCA CROSS Acne Scar treatments are especially effective at improving these atrophic pitted ‘icepick’ scars.
TCA CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars)
This technique is the precise and focused spot application of TCA (trichloracetic acid) into each ‘pitted’ or ‘icepick’ acne scar, avoiding the non-scar areas of normal skin. The resurfacing response that occurs inside the depression stimulates collagen production increases dermal volume, restructuring the dermal elements within the skin, and this eventually causes the scar to rise up (effacement) and close.
In our hands, this technique has been successful is treating facial acne scars (especially atrophic ice-pick scars) and damaged or open pores. The degree of improvement depends on the number of applications and between 2 to 6 courses of treatment may be required. Studies demonstrate good improvement after three to six courses in more than 90% of cases.
The technique is safe with few significant complications. Some transient pigmentation and minor scabbing is expected (part of the healing process) and these fully resolves in 2 to 3 weeks. Healing is generally more rapid than conventional full-face medium to deep chemical or laser resurfacing.
It is important to have this procedure performed by a doctor with experience in this technique, as this is very much a procedure that requires expert technique to avoid complications such as burns, prolonged healing, pigmentation etc, that can result from applying too much chemical, or applying it inaccurately. Dr. Jonathan Lee performs this procedure under magnification with specialized instruments.
THE PROCEDURE: How is the TCA CROSS procedure performed?
After cleaning and priming the skin, TCA is applied, very precisely into each ‘pitted’ acne scar with a special applicator. This produces a white ‘frost’ on each acne scar, which disappears in 20 to 30 minutes. A mild redness may persist for several hours after the procedure, and an ointment is applied at regular intervals for the first week to aid in healing. Sun avoidance and use of sun protection is advised, during healing.
ARE TCA CROSS TREATMENTS FOR ACNE SCARS PAINFUL?
The TCA CROSS procedure is relatively painless. There may be slight discomfort, described as a ‘biting’ sensation’ when the chemical is applied, and this lasts only for a few minutes. During the healing phases, there is no discomfort or pain.
WHAT KINDS OF SCARS ARE SUITABLE FOR TCA CROSS TREATMENTS?
TCA Cross can be used on all skin types (fair skinned or dark skinned, oily or dry skins, younger or older skin types). It is especially useful and effective for treating ‘ice-pick’ or pitted acne scars. TCA CROSS alone can be effective as a single method of treatment for light ice-pick acne scars, or other mild to moderate acne scar types. It results in Scar Effacement, filling and making deep pitted scars shallower. But more often, it is used in combination with other treatments such as laser resurfacing, selective scar excision or subcision, in the treatment of acne scars and improving overall skin texture.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE REQUIRED?
TCA Cross can take one to several treatments depending on the severity of your acne scar case. Between 2 to 6 treatments may be required.
A 4 to 6 week interval between treatments is required, to allow for skin healing, collagen remodelling and rejuvenation. You are likely to see continued improvements for several months after a treatment.
STUDIES & REPORTS:
This Study reported the TCA CROSS technique as a safe, efficacious, cost-effective and minimally invasive technique for the management of ice pick acne scars that are otherwise generally difficult to treat. In this study, using physician’s clinical assessment, photographic evaluation and patient’s feedback, more than 70% improvement was seen in eight out of ten patients evaluated and good results (50 – 70% improvement) were observed in the remaining two patients. No significant side effects were noted.
One of the original research studies on the TCA CROSS technique, this study demonstrated good satisfaction rates in the 65% TCA and 100% TCA treatment groups, with no cases of significant complication. Patient treatment data indicated good clinical response in 82% of the patient group using 65% TCA, and 94% of patients in the group using 100% TCA. All patients in the 100% TCA group who received five or six courses of treatment showed excellent results.
CONCLUSION:
TCA CROSS is a safe and very effective single modality for the improvement of deep atrophic pitted ice-pick acne scars with no significant complications. Patient satisfaction is high, the procedure is comfortable and requires little topical anaesthesia. Results are rapid and can been seen within 4 to 6 weeks. The procedure can be used alone, or in combination with other acne scar treatments depending on the type and severity of your acne scars. Many of our acne-scar patients have benefited from the simplicity, comfort and effectiveness of this technique.
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