Comparative Study of the Use of Trichloroacetic Acid and Phenolic Acid in the Treatment of Atrophic-Type Acne Scars.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Many therapies involving varying degrees of complexity have been used to treat acne scars, but none is considered the gold standard treatment.

OBJECTIVE:

A comparative evaluation of 88% phenol and 90% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) applied using the chemical reconstruction of skin scars (CROSS) technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A nonrandomized, single-blinded self-controlled clinical trial was conducted among patients with ice pick-type and boxcar-type atrophic acne scars. Using 88% phenol on the left hemiface and 90% TCA on the right hemiface was adopted as the standard practice of the CROSS technique. The dermatological quality of life index (DLQI) questionnaire, acne scar grading scale Échelle d´Evaluation Clinique des Cicatrices d'Acne (ECCA), and evaluation of improvement were performed pretreatment and post-treatment.

RESULTS:

Regarding ECCA, significant differences were found in pretreatment and post-treatment (p < .001). Regarding tolerance to pain, it was found that the discomfort felt with 90% TCA was significantly less than that felt with 88% phenol (p = .020). Regarding the quality of life measured with the DLQI, the results showed that the mean score in post-treatment assessment was significantly lower than that in the pretreatment assessment (p < .05). Hypochromia and enlargement scar were only seen after the use of 90% TCA.

CONCLUSION:

This study confirmed the efficacy of both TCA and phenol for treating such scars, with less severe complications from the use of phenol.

• Authors: Mariana Dalpizzol, Magda B Weber, Anna Paula F Mattiazzi, Ana Paula D Manzoni
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 42 Issue 3 Pg. 377-83 (Mar 2016) ISSN: 1524-4725 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26849087 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Controlled Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Caustics
• Hydroxybenzoates
• Trichloroacetic Acid
• phenolic acid

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (complications)
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Atrophy
• Caustics (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Cicatrix (drug therapy, etiology, pathology)
• Cicatrix, Hypertrophic (chemically induced)
• Female
• Humans
• Hydroxybenzoates (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Hypopigmentation (chemically induced)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasms, Second Primary
• Pain (chemically induced)
• Quality of Life
• Severity of Illness Index
• Single-Blind Method
• Trichloroacetic Acid (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Young Adult