Friday, September 9, 2011

Performing the TCA cross method

The TCA cross method is simple but should be done with extreme precaution. I cannot emphasize this further. Like all other procedures, you might achieve negative results, i.e., further damage to your skin, widened pitted scar, when done improperly. So read everything first and be patient.

A sample of TCA peel solution

Thus saying, if you feel like you cannot carry this out, then seek out a professional to do this for you.


What you need: TCA, anti-bacterial ointment, a steady hand








Steps:
  1. Prep you skin by washing with soap or gentle cleanser. Cleanse with alcohol and air dry. 
  2. Dip a toothpick in the TCA solution and pressed firmly (not too hard or too soft) on the depressed area until frosting appears. This will only take, literally, a few seconds. There will be mild and temporary stinging, but this is tolerable. No local anesthetic is required, and TCA is self-neutralizing. Remember to treat only the depressed part; you do not want to affect the normal skin surrounding it.
    tca cross using a toothpick
    Photo credit to Bhardwaj and Khunger, on their study on the efficacy and safety of TCA cross
  3. After treatment, use an ointment-based antibiotic until scabs form. You can go to any generic drugstore and ask for a triple anti-bacterial ointment. Others suggest Vaseline petroleum jelly for the same moisturizing effect.
  4.  Scabs will form a few days after. This will naturally fall off, so be careful not to prematurely detached the scabs. You can also use emollient ointments (such as Vaseline) until the scabs fall off.
  5. Use a facial sunscreen daily thereafter. This is an important after care to avoid damage caused by sun exposure.
  6. After the scabs have fallen off, you may wash your face with a gentle cleanser and resume your daily routine for skin care as well as use make-up.
Wait for at least a month to allow skin reconstruction. Production of collagen is slow and on-going. Multiple sessions of the TCA cross method are required before you can see significant improvement.


As long as you follow the protocol and take precautions, you should be fine.

Also, don't forget to read a few reminders before doing this.

15 comments:

  1. where did you get a high concentration tca solution? i've been wanting to do tca cross but cant find a reputable seller of tca...

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    1. I just browse through stores in multiply, and i always ask the seller where to they get their supply. :)

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    2. Amazon has it in different concentrations

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  2. I think that this is a unique method too for every women who want to use this for their skin, though they need to be careful enough.

    Acne New Treatment NYC

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  3. Thanks for the info. I'm suffering from acne scars. Please tell me where did you buy a high concentration tca solution?

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  4. I tried tca 65% 3 times and 90% once but nothing has changed

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  5. I researched and read your blog before undergoing the treatment myself. I used 25% concentration. I tried it on 3 scars at first but I didn't noticed any improvement. On the next application, I made sure there were frosting. I applied topical antibiotic thereafter until the scabs fell off and never miss the sunscreen even when I'm indoors. I made the treatment at night and the next morning, the treated sites were like cigarrette burns. On the fourth day, the scabs starting to fall off and eventually on the 5th day, they were totally gone. I'm not expecting that the scars will disappear immediately but the improvement were remarkable compared to the other scar treatments I've undergone in the past. This TCA cross technique is the safest, least downtime and most effective for me. To those who have ice pick scars who are reading this, there's hope. Mine was over 10 years old scars.

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    Replies
    1. where can i buy this stuff? thanks

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  6. at the office the dr will use 80-100% full strength and I found youtube videos showing how to do it. I hope to do a before and after myself to show that it can be done safely at home.

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  7. Hey!
    I have heard you can only do tca cross on scars of certain sizes without making them worse. is this true? Do you know how big the scars should be to preform tca cross?

    Where should you be aiming the tca in the scar? Should you be trying to aim it right in the middle of the scar? Should you be trying to fill the scar with tca solution?

    You didn't mention taking the tca solution off. Should you just leave the solution in the scar covering it with vaseline? Is that why you said self neutralizing meaning you can just leave it in without having to clean it out right after?

    Your artical was extremely helpful. I just wanna be sure about it before I do it at home.

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    Replies
    1. yes just leave it on there and let it sit 10-15 minutes before you apply an ointment.

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  10. where can i buy this? thanks

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  11. can we use tca on boxcar scars? that are wide but not so deep

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