Subcision versus 100% trichloroacetic acid in the treatment of rolling acne scars.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Acne scarring is common but surprisingly difficult to treat. Newer techniques and modifications to older ones may make this refractory problem more manageable. The 100% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) method is a safe and effective single modality for the treatment of atrophic acne scars, whereas subcision appears to be a safe technique that provides significant improvement for rolling acne scars.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the effect of the 100% TCA CROSS method with subcision in treating rolling acne scars.

METHODS:

Twenty patients of skin types III and IV with bilateral rolling acne scars received one to three sessions of the 100% TCA CROSS technique for scars on the left side of the face and subcision for scars on the right side.

RESULTS:

The mean decrease in size and depth of scars was significantly greater for the subcision side than the 100% TCA CROSS (p<.001). More side effects in the form of pigmentary alteration were observed with the 100% TCA CROSS method.

CONCLUSION:

For rolling acne scars in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV, subcision shows better results with fewer side effects than the 100% TCA CROSS technique, although further decrease in scar depth with time occurs more significantly after 100% TCA CROSS.

• Authors: Shahira Abd El-Rahman Ramadan, Mohamed Hussein Medhat El-Komy, Dalia Ahmed Bassiouny, Seham Ahmed El-Tobshy
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 37 Issue 5 Pg. 626-33 (May 2011) ISSN: 1524-4725 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21457391 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2011 by the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Inc.

Chemical References

• Caustics
• Trichloroacetic Acid

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (complications)
• Adult
• Caustics (therapeutic use)
• Chemexfoliation (methods)
• Cicatrix (drug therapy, etiology, surgery)
• Face
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome
• Trichloroacetic Acid (therapeutic use)