TCA CROSS

What is TCA Cross?

TCA Cross is the chemical reconstruction of skin scars using an acid known as trichloroacetic acid (TCA). The procedure involves applying small amounts of TCA at high concentration on to the surface of the scar. This causes an inflammatory reaction leading to the formation of new collagen.

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Why do I need Aviclear?

You can benefit from Aviclear laser if you have mild, moderate or severe inflammatory acne.
How many treatments do I need?

Treatment consists of 3 sessions at monthly intervals.
How long is each appointment?

1 hour.
Is any pre-treatment needed?

I recommend you take a long-acting non-sedating antihistamine such as Loratadine, desloratine or cetirizine on the day of treatment and for at least one week after each treatment as this reduces the post-treatment inflammation and flare. Your regular acne routine can be continued throughout your sessions until the end of your treatments.
What should I expect during treatment? Is it painful? Is any analgesia required?

For all laser treatments, goggles must be worn. Most patients tolerate the treatment well, rating the pain around 4 out of 10. However, some find it more painful and we are able to offer a local, water-based anaesthetic which is applied 30 minutes before treatment. We also recommend the use of paracetamol 1g alongside ibuprofen 400mg (provided you have no contraindications) about an hour before treatment. Wet gauzes are placed on your skin to keep it damp throughout the treatment. The Aviclear tip is also cold which cools the skin and protects it during the treatment. You will feel a cold pressure along with the brief warmth of the laser. Your skin will go red transiently but typically this lasts less than an hour.
Is there any downtime?

Your skin will be red and a bit puffy for about 30 minutes but quickly returns to normal. There is no downtime and you can return to your normal activities immediately.
Is it safe for all skin types?

Yes.
Are there any common side effects / complications that I should know about?

Your skin will become red for about 30 minutes. In the worst case scenario, you could develop a blister from the laser but this is rare. The blister would heal promptly within a week and shouldn’t affect your treatment in any way.