Evaluation of treatment of acne scars with 25% trichloroacetic acid chemical peel followed by manual dermasanding

Abstract

The combined treatment of chemical peeling and dermabrasion of the face been widely accepted since its introduction in 1972 by Dupont and Horton. 1 Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) has been used extensively by dermatologists and plastic surgeons for many years. A 10-25 percent solution is used for light peeling; it is safe as its systemic toxicity is less than that of phenol. This peeling is equivalent to a mild sun burn with mild skin erythema for 2-3 days and light exfoliation at 3-5 days and can be repeated 1 week later but it barely penetrates beyond the epidermis. For this reason, a combination of TCA with other treatments such as dermabrasion has been proposed as an effective treatment for acne scars and as a way to potentiate the effect of TCA to achieve a deeper peel. 2 Manual dermasanding is a procedure of skin abrasion using sterile sand paper. 3,4 It removes the epidermis to the mid reticular dermis along with the outer portion of the skin adnexia. Re-epithelialization takes place from the residual portion of the adnexia. 5 It has several advantages over classical dermabrasion as it is simpler and less costly, more readily accessible, and safer with no blood splatter or aerolized particles that can infect the staff. 6,7

Fractional erbium YAG laser resurfacing versus 20% trichloroacetic acid chemical peeling in the treatment of acne scars: A comparative study

“…Al-Hamamy et al [ 11 ] evaluated the effectiveness of 25% TCA combined with dermasanding. They reported a satisfactory improvement in acne scars with no significant complications except erythema and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which disappeared after 3 months in affected patients.…”

Methods for the Improvement of Acne Scars Used in Dermatology and Cosmetology: A Review

“…They reported a satisfactory improvement in acne scars. No significant complications were found except erythema and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which disappeared after 3 months in affected patients [ 42 ]. Puri researched 25 patients who were divided into 2 groups.…”

Modern techniques in addressing facial acne scars: A thorough analysis

“…Different depths of chemical peel agents can treat different types of acne scars 35 . It can be used alone or with other treatments 36 . Superficial chemical peel agents are suitable for shallow acne scars, 37 while medium‐depth and deep peel agents, 38 as well as combination therapies, are more advantageous in treating deeper acne scars 28,39 …”

“…35 It can be used alone or with other treatments. 36 Superficial chemical peel agents are suitable for shallow acne scars, 37 while medium-depth and deep peel agents, 38 as well as combination therapies, are more advantageous in treating deeper acne scars. 28,39 Chemical peeling is convenient to operate, cost-effective, and has a fast recovery time.…”