Percutaneous collagen induction versus full-concentration trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.
BACKGROUND
Percutaneous collagen induction (PCI) promotes removal of damaged collagen and induces more collagen immediately under the epidermis. The chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) method is a focal application of full-concentration trichloroacetic acid (TCA) to atrophic acne scars. The CROSS method has the advantage of reconstructing acne scars by increasing dermal thickening and collagen production.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and efficacy of PCI and the 100% TCA CROSS method for the treatment of atrophic acne scars.


METHODS
Thirty participants were randomly equally divided into two groups; group 1 underwent four sessions (4 weeks apart) of PCI, and group 2 underwent four sessions (4 weeks apart) of 100% TCA CROSS.


RESULTS
Acne scarring improved in 100% of patients. Scar severity scores improved by a mean of 68.3% (p<.001) in group 1 and a mean of 75.3% (p<.001) in group 2. The difference in the degree of improvement was not statistically significant between the groups (p=.47).


CONCLUSIONS
PCI and 100% TCA CROSS were effective in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.
Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine Student Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Tahra
T
Leheta
Amira
A
El Tawdy
Rania
R
Abdel Hay
Sally
S
Farid
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002424:Caustics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002615:Chemexfoliation; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003869:Dermabrasion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult
D002424:Caustics; D014238:Trichloroacetic Acid