How long does TCA CROSS take to work for acne scars?

TCA CROSS places a high-strength trichloroacetic acid solution inside selected depressed acne scars rather than spreading it across the whole face. Treated points can frost, darken, crust, and peel as the skin repairs. This early reaction is part of the process and is not the finished appearance. New collagen and remodelling beneath the scar can make the depression look softer over time. Improvement varies with scar type, depth, skin tone, healing response, and whether active acne or pigmentation is also present.

Use only the cleanser, ointment, and other products recommended by your clinician. Do not pick crusts or deliberately remove peeling skin, since this can delay healing and increase the chance of marks. Protect treated skin from sunlight with the measures your clinician recommends, and pause retinoids, exfoliating acids, or irritating cosmetics until you are told to restart them. Keep follow-up appointments so the clinician can judge the response after the skin has settled.

Contact your clinic if pain becomes stronger, redness spreads beyond the treated points, swelling increases, pus appears, or healing seems to stop. Seek urgent help for facial swelling with breathing difficulty, widespread blistering, or a severe reaction affecting the eyes. A darker mark can occur during healing, but new or worsening colour change should be shown to your clinician.

Ask whether your scars are suitable for TCA CROSS, when you may resume each skincare product, how the clinic will protect surrounding skin, and when the result should be assessed. Ask what plan addresses active acne or lingering pigmentation alongside the depressions.