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The landscape of Acne Scarring treatment modalities is to say the least very colorful. This week I had a patient who applied a topical garlic paste and herbs to his face and who presented with a severe allergic reaction and redness. Needless to say that the Acne scars remained unaffected.

The Gold standard for the treatment of Acne scarring is still CO2 laser. Mixto fractional CO2 laser in combination with Ultrasound or Radiofrequency treatments, Subcision, and more can result in a significant improvement (%50-%70 with 1-2 sessions) of acne scars.

TCA cross is a treatment modality that has its advocates. The treatment does not require sophisticated lasers or equipment, is inexpensive, and appears to help some patients with very deep acne scarring. I will try to describe my experiences with TCA cross.

TCA cross refers to the application of highly concentrated TCA (Tricloroacetic Acid in the 70-100% concentration) with a toothpick or broken q-tip to the base of deep Icepick scars. The idea is that the TCA will cause an inflammatory reaction and Collagen synthesis over the ensuing 2-3 month. This, in turn, lifts up the base of deep Icepick scars and fills them in from within. It is generally accepted that this procedure does not help deep atrophic and rolling scars. So in summary the 2 assumptions are that TCA can be applied to the base of icepick scars and this in turn results in selective Collagen synthesis and lifting of the scar.

I urge you to do the following experiment: take a tooth pick and dip it in water. Now step in front of the mirror and try to apply the water to the base of an ice-pick scar. It is virtually impossible. Try this with ink so that you can see where the liquid was applied. The water (or TCA in the hand of an experienced Dermatologist) invariably touches the sides of the depressed icepick scar. Even if the base is fully treated the TCA can and at times does dissolve away the sides of the depressed icepick scars. The patient ultimately may ends up with a wider and sometimes even deeper icepick scar defying the purpose of the procedure.

In my opinion deep Icepick scars need to be punched out with a 1mm or 2mm or 2.5 mm punch or even excised with a #11 blade. TCA cross can at times result in improved cosmetic appearance if the surrounding skin of the scar is slightly elevated and can be planned down with the TCA. In my hands the results are erratic and not uniform for every patient.

I still discuss TCA cross and offer it as an option to some of my patients that have generally good skin peppered with a few deep scars and who don’t want punch excisions or lasers. I also perform this procedure a few weeks before a deep Dermabrasion or CO2 laser to prep the skin and minimize deep scars.

In summary: TCA cross is tricky to perform, does not cause uniform results, and is not the first choice treatment for many of my patients. Judicious use in combination with Subcision, Fat grafting, Co2 fractional Laser  can results in improved appearance of deep icepick scars.

A. David Rahimi,MD,FAAD,FAACS