TCA CROSS healing: what to expect

The treatment creates small, deliberate areas of chemical injury inside selected scars. At first, the points may sting, look red and feel mildly swollen. They can then become brown or darker as a thin crust forms. Once the crust separates on its own, the new surface may appear pink, red or temporarily darker than nearby skin.

Surface healing and scar improvement are different stages. A closed spot can still have colour change or sensitivity, while the deeper texture continues to settle. Skin tone, treatment depth, aftercare and sun exposure all influence how noticeable the healing phase is.

Wash only as directed, pat dry, and apply the clinician-recommended product without rubbing. Leave crusts in place and avoid exfoliating acids, retinoids, scrubs, waxing and friction until cleared. Protect the area from sunlight with the method your clinician recommends. More detail is available in [TCA CROSS](/treatments/aesthetic-procedures/tca-cross/) and [Trichloroacetic Acid](/materials/trichloroacetic-acid/).

Contact your clinician if pain, warmth, redness or swelling is getting worse, or if drainage becomes cloudy, foul-smelling or pus-like. Fever, rapidly spreading redness, significant eye swelling or vision symptoms need prompt assessment. Breathing difficulty is an emergency. Do not cover a concerning reaction with makeup or pick at the area before advice.

Ask which products are safe during healing, when you may resume active skincare, how to protect against dark marks, and when the clinician wants to inspect the treated areas.