TCA Chemical Peel for Acne Scars

The appearance of rolling, depressed scars can be improved somewhat with full-face TCA peels - moreso with a 20-30% peels than lighter peels. Ice-pick and box-car type scars can respond to higher concentrations of TCA (80-100%) applied to the base of these individual scars. Ice-pick scars also can be treated with other methods such as punch excision followed by resurfacing. I would seek the care of a qualified and experienced practitioner who can walk you through the side effects,... more

Chemical peels is not a very effective treatment for significant acne scarring. Chemical peels in general are placed on the surface and penetration is similar in all areas of the scar so their major improvement relies upon improving skin texture. With acne scarring whether it is raised or depressed, the goal is to make the skin as close to one level as possible. For example, it is like driving over hills and valleys. The deeper the valleys, the more visible the scars. The higher the hills,... more

No, it does not work; peels are of uniform depth so they cannot be "sculpted' as can dermabrasion and lasers.  They also do not go deep enough, unless they are so strong that they risk depigmentation and scarring.

In my opinion, Fraxel restore, Fraxel Repair, Active/Deep FX, and full dermabrasion are the best for most indented scars. TCA peels work less well for altered architecture, but is excellent for shallow scars and discoloration. Ice pick scars respond poorly to all modalities.

TCA peels can be used for full face resurfacing or spot treatments for acne scars. For Full face chemical peeling, you can improve ice pick scars and box scars. I typically add dermabrasion to medium depth TCA peels for more benefit. Also, I use stronger strength TCA (trichloroacetic acid) peels for ice pick scars to help them raise up. I like to also incorporate fat injections, subcision to elevate depressed scars. I think fat injections are a step up from subcision which adds a layer of... more

TCA is a great all around treatment that not only improves scarring, but treats hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and builds up collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis.  Certainly one needs to be careful not to start too aggressively so as to avoid side effects as with any treatment.  Another nice side benefit is that it is less risky and can be alot less expensive that laser and dermabrasion treatments.

While TCA chemical peels can be helpful for acne scarring, fractional CO2 laser does a better job with significant greater tissue collagen remodeling.

The answers in this forum give a superb overview of TCA use for facial acne and other scars. Principally for facial scars that cast shadows because of pigment deep in the pits or recesses, TCA can be helpful in reducing that pigmentation. For the most superficial scars, it may soften the shoulders at the edges, in combination with pigment lightening at the depths. At the recommended levels of facial peeling with TCA (10-45%) -- although a few centers still use 50% maximum for selected... more

Hello, It really depends upon how bad your acne scarring is. TCA peels are good medium depth peels. For thick scarring or scarring involving lots of pits, I would move toward a CO2 laser if the skin type was fair enough. You might want to see a good plastic surgeon about this possibility.