Does TCA Cross work well for englarged pores?

Our office has many different treatments for acne scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Acne scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of acne scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic acne scars and indented acne scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your acne scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

The actual size of your pores cannot change however, you can change the appearance of the pores. Chemical peels are a great way to minimize the appearance of the pores. TCA will help the overall tone and texture of your skin which will then make your pores appear smaller. 
Best wishes!

TCA Cross can improve enlarged pores/skin texture, and will not make them larger. However there are other options. Without seeing you it is difficult to give the best advise, but typically we do a few different treatments that work really well together for our patients with enlarged pores. First we would start with Laser Genesis to heat the dermis to encourage collagen production and improve tone/texture. It also helps to kill acne causing bacteria in the skin---preventing breakouts. Next we would do Clear + Brilliant treatments, which is a fractional diode laser. The laser penetrates deeply into the skin to create millions of treatment microscopic treatment zones while  leaving a fraction of the skin untreated so there is virtually no downtime. This activates your healing process to rejuvenate the skin leaving you with smoother, more refined skin.

A combination approach will give the most improvement. I recommend lasers, microneedling/PRP, Cosmelan, peels and skin care. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for your message! Chemical peels are helpful in reducing the appearance of pore size. That being said, other options, such as microneedling, are generally recommended to boost results. Microneedling, or collagen induction therapy, works to create small injuries within the skin that your body heals by creating collagen/elastin helping to improve pore size and skin texture! We often combine microneedling with platelet rich plasma, or PRP to boost results! I would recommend a consultation with a provider in your area for further assessment!