ABSTRACT
Objective: to assess the outcome of CROSS technique with 100% trichloroacetic acid [TCA] on atrophic icepick acne scars
Methods: it was a quasi-experimental study held at dermatology department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore on 20th November 2013 till 19th April 2014. A total number of 60 patients were included in this study. There were 40 female [66.7%] patients and 20 male [33.3%] patients. After informed consent, four sessions of 100% TCA focal application on atrophic icepick acne scars by CROSS [chemical reconstruction of skin scars] technique were done at two weekly intervals and final outcome was assessed at three months after the last session
Results: in our study 41.7% patients showed excellent [>70% reduction of acne scars] response, 45% patients showed good [51-70% reduction of acne scars] response, 13.3% patients showed fair [30-50% reduction] response and no patient showed poor [<30% reduction] response
Conclusion: chemical reconstruction of skin scars [CROSS] technique with 100% TCA is a safe, minimally invasive and cost-effective technique for the treatment of icepick acne scars