Best TCA CROSS Provider | Scar Healing Institute

TCA CROSS Beverly Hills

TCA CROSS Beverly Hills

Searching for the best TCA CROSS provider in Beverly Hills? Discover how TCA CROSS Beverly Hills can effectively treat your scars. Contact us for expert care.

How Does TCA CROSS Work?

Trichloroacetic Acid Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars, more commonly known as TCA CROSS, is a minimally invasive, professional chemical peel specifically designed to treat acne scarring, especially deep and narrow ones, such as ice pick scars. This technique involves the careful application of highly concentrated TCA directly into the acne scars, causing a localized chemical reaction.

TCA CROSS stimulates collagen production and skin remodeling, effectively treating acne scars by elevating the scarred areas. By targeting only the acne scar tissue, TCA CROSS minimizes the risk to the surrounding healthy skin, making it a precise chemical peel treatment for those seeking significant improvements in their appearance.

What are the Benefits of TCA CROSS?

TCA CROSS treatments are exceptionally effective for addressing various types of acne scars, including ice pick, boxcar, and deep scars. This targeted approach enables significant enhancements in skin texture and appearance without causing extensive downtime or harm to the surrounding skin. Here are some key benefits of TCA CROSS for treating acne scars:

  • Precise Application: The TCA chemical is applied directly to the target acne scars with a fine-tipped tool, allowing for extreme precision and sparing of the surrounding healthy skin.
  • Improved Texture: After TCA CROSS, patients usually notice an improvement in appearance in addition to texture of their skin and acne scarring.
  • Biostimulation: The localized chemical reaction caused by TCA CROSS stimulates collagen production and skin remodeling, thus filling in the acne scars from within.
  • High Efficacy: Many patients see significant improvements in their acne scarring after only a few sessions, making this treatment an efficient option for acne scar treatment.
  • Cost-Effective: TCA CROSS is often cheaper than alternative acne scar treatments which may require multiple sessions to achieve the same result.
  • Minimal Downtime: Compared to more invasive peels for acne scars, TCA CROSS treatment generally requires minimal recovery time, allowing patients to return to normal activities soon after the chemical peel treatment.
  • Long-Lasting Results: Once the desired outcome is achieved, the improvements are generally long-lasting with proper skin care and protection, unlike some other methods of acne scar treatment.

These benefits make TCA CROSS treatment one of the best peels designed for acne scar treatment, addressing appearance, texture, and severity.

Is TCA CROSS Treatment Right for Me?

Determining if TCA CROSS treatment is suitable for your acne scars requires considering several factors. TCA CROSS is particularly effective for deep, narrow scars such as ice pick and boxcar scars but may not work as well for rolling or tethered scars. 

Ideal candidates are in good health, have stable skin without active acne, and have realistic expectations about the results. Skin type and color are also important, as individuals with darker skin tones may be more susceptible to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and should discuss potential risks with their provider. 

Consulting a qualified dermatologist is essential to assess your specific acne scars, skin type, and medical history to determine if TCA CROSS is right for you. This personalized approach ensures you receive the most appropriate and effective treatment for your skin concerns and acne scars.

What is the Recovery Time for TCA CROSS?

The recovery time for TCA CROSS treatments is generally brief when compared to more invasive procedures for acne scars, though it can vary based on skin type, treatment extent, and TCA concentration. Typically, patients can expect their skin to heal and rejuvenate the acne scars over a period of several days to a few weeks. Here is what you can typically expect during the recovery timeline:

  • Immediate Post-Treatment (Days 1-3): Immediately after treatment, the treated acne scar areas will likely appear red and may feel a bit swollen. Small crusts or scabs can form where the peel was applied.
  • Early Healing Phase (Days 4-7): During this phase, the initial redness starts to subside, and the scabs will begin to dry out. It is crucial to avoid picking and let the scabs fall off on their own in order to prevent scarring.
  • Mid-Recovery Phase (Week 2): By the second week, most of the scabs have usually fallen off naturally. The skin beneath may appear pink and tender as new, healthier skin forms from the peel.
  • Continued Healing (Weeks 3-4): The new skin continues to heal and gradually blends with the surrounding areas. Any residual pinkness will begin to fade during this time.
  • Long-Term Healing (Month 2 onwards): Collagen production and remodeling continues for months after the chemical peel, further smoothing and improving the skin’s texture.

During recovery, it’s crucial to follow your dermatologist’s aftercare instructions, including avoiding direct sun exposure and using recommended products to support healing and prevent complications.

How is TCA CROSS Applied?

TCA CROSS is a meticulous chemical peel and must be performed with care and precision by a licensed dermatologist. Below is an overview of how the treatment is usually applied:

  1. Preparation: The skin is cleansed to remove any oils and an antiseptic is applied to reduce the risk of infection. Then, the area is dried thoroughly to ensure the peels adheres properly.
  2. Application: Using a fine-tipped instrument, the provider carefully applies a small amount of highly concentrated TCA directly onto each scar. This minimally invasive technique confines the peel to the scarred tissue and spares the healthy surrounding skin.
  3. Neutralization: TCA self-neutralizes, so no neutralizing solution is applied unlike with many other chemical peels. The reaction stops once the desired depth is reached with minimal discomfort.
  4. Immediately After: The treated skin may frost or turn white, which indicates that the acid has penetrated the skin’s surface. This discoloration typically resolves itself within a few hours.
  5. Monitoring: The dermatologist will monitor the reaction and the treatment response, adjusting the application if necessary according to your skin type during subsequent sessions.

What to Expect

During TCA CROSS treatment, you may experience a brief stinging sensation as the trichloroacetic acid is applied to your acne scars. After the treatment, the targeted areas will likely become red and slightly swollen, with small scabs forming on the treated scars. These scabs will naturally shed within about a week.

As your skin heals over the following weeks, you’ll notice a gradual improvement in the appearance of your acne scars, with full results developing over several months as collagen remodeling occurs. Your dermatologist will provide aftercare instructions to help you care for your skin and ensure the best outcomes for your acne scars.

Aftercare Instructions

To ensure the best results for your acne scars and to minimize potential side effects, it is essential to follow post-care instructions after TCA CROSS. Here are some key guidelines:

  • Leave Scabs Alone: Scabs forming over the treated acne scars are part of the healing process. Picking at them can lead to scarring and infection. Allow the scabs to fall off naturally to ensure the new skin underneath can heal smoothly.
  • Avoid Sun Exposure: UV exposure can worsen skin discoloration, especially in patients with darker skin tones. When outdoors, use sunscreen with at least SPF 50 and try to completely cover the treated acne scarring areas.
  • Use Lightening Creams if Recommended: Depending on your unique skin type, your dermatologist may prescribe you lightening cream. Apply as directed to help manage and prevent uneven skin tones and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
  • General Care: Keep the treated acne scarring area clean and moisturized. Avoid using harsh products that can irritate your face. Stick to gentle, non-comedogenic products during the recovery process.

Adhering closely to these guidelines will help speed up the TCA CROSS healing process and ensure the best results from treatment.

How Many Treatments Do I Need?

The number of TCA CROSS treatment sessions required can vary widely among patients, largely depending on the severity of acne scarring being treated and the types, such as boxcar acne scars and atrophic acne scars. Multiple TCA CROSS treatments are often needed to achieve desired results, especially for patients with more pronounced scars like deep ice pick scars.

Notedly, many patients have multiple types of scars and thus do not see complete results after just one session. Thus, it is recommended to combine TCA CROSS chemical peel with other treatments is often recommended to comprehensively complete the acne scar revision process.

By incorporating techniques such as microneedling, laser therapy, and subcision, the treatment becomes more robust and effective. Each session is generally spaced several weeks apart to allow for proper healing and scar response. Your specialist will monitor progress and adjust the timeline as necessary.

Combining TCA CROSS with Other Acne Scar Treatments

Integrating the TCA CROSS procedure with other dermatological treatments can significantly enhance its overall effectiveness, especially for comprehensive acne scar management. Commonly combined treatments include:

  1. Subcision
  2. Fractional Laser Resurfacing
  3. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
  4. Microneedling

TCA CROSS is an essential step in addressing various types of acne scars, including ice pick, atrophic, and rolling scars. For optimal results, it is crucial to obtain a clinical assessment from a physician. Contact our acne scar specialist today to learn more about one of the most effective scarring treatments available in Walnut.

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