Focal treatment of acne scars with trichloroacetic acid: chemical reconstruction of skin scars method.
BACKGROUND
Acne scarring is a common complication of acne and yet no appropriate and effective single treatment modality has been developed. We suggest a technique consisting of the focal application of higher trichloroacetic acid (TCA) concentrations by pressing hard on the entire depressed area of atrophic acne scars. This technique is called chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) by the authors.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical effects of CROSS on atrophic acne scars in dark-complexioned patients.


METHODS
An analysis was conducted of 65 patients with atrophic acne scars who were treated with CROSS in our hospitals between July 1996 and July 2001. Thirty-three patients were treated with 65% TCA CROSS and 32 patients were treated with 100% TCA CROSS. All patients had Fitzpatrick skin types IV-V.


RESULTS
Patient treatment data indicated that 27 of 33 patients (82%) (the 65% TCA group) and 30 of 32 patients (94%) (the 100% TCA group) experienced a good clinical response. All patients in the 100% TCA group who received five or six courses of treatment showed excellent results. Good satisfaction rates in the 65% and 100% TCA groups were recorded. There were no cases of significant complication.


CONCLUSIONS
CROSS is a safe and very effective single modality for the treatment of atrophic acne scars with no significant complications.
Lee
Jung Bock
JB
Leejiham Skin Clinic and Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chung
Woo Gil
WG
Kwahck
Ho
H
Lee
Kwang Hoon
KH
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002615:Chemexfoliation; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003869:Dermabrasion / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid