TCA Cross

[recessed55]

Im planning on doing a TCA cross for my ice pick scars in a few days, the first time Im just gonna do 3 scars to test how I react. Ive done a good amount of researched and also had Claude help me build this protocol. Im looking for some feedback on my plan from anyone who has done it before. For some added context I have already have done 5 microneedling sessions for my boxcar scars. Ill update this thread whenever I do the procedure.



Protocol: (I do not recommend this its just what im doing.)

Supplies — lay out before starting​

• PeelPros 75% TCA bottle
• 5+ Platinum picks, cotton stripped from 3–4 (spares for fumbles; strip more cotton = thinner acid load)
• Small glass or ceramic dish (decant target; never dip into the bottle)
• Neutralizer bowl: ~2 tbsp baking soda stirred into a cup of water — mixed BEFORE the acid is opened
• Tissues + a few sterile gauze pads (blotting)
• Vaseline/Aquaphor + cotton swabs (moat + aftercare)
• Medical gloves
• Alcohol pad (degrease targets)
• Face wipes / cleanser
• Magnifying mirror, strong light, stable seated position with elbow support
• Timer (phone)

Step 1 — Setup (5 min)​

1. Wash hands 20 s, gloves on.
2. Wipe work surface. Mix the neutralizer bowl now. Set it within reach.
3. Sit at the mirror with elbow support. Bottle stays capped, away from the counter edge, never passed across the eye line.
4. Re-check the scar map against the photos. Say out loud which 2–3 scars are being treated.

Step 2 — Prep skin (T−5 min)​

1. Cleanse face, dry completely.
2. Degrease each target scar + surrounding cm with the alcohol pad. Let dry.
3. Vaseline moat: with a swab, lay a thin ring around each target scar. Protects the shoulders from spread. Keep it out of the pit — Vaseline in the pit blocks the acid.

Step 3 — Decant​

1. Open the bottle, pour 2–3 drops into the dish, recap immediately.
2. Move the bottle away from the workspace.

Step 4 — Apply, one scar at a time​

Repeat per scar, fresh pick each time:

1. Dip the bare wood tip in the dish. Wipe it on the dish rim until nothing can drip. A hanging drop is an automatic re-wipe.
2. Anchor the working hand against the face or a surface.
3. Press the tip firmly into the base of the pit — press, don't stab (these picks are sharper than toothpicks). Hold 1–2 seconds.
4. Watch ~30–60 s for the endpoint: a solid white frost dot confined to the pit / white ring at the rim.
   • No frost → one gentle re-touch, no hard pressure this time.
   • Frost creeping past the rim → done with that scar; blot the edge once with a dry tissue tip. Never add acid to a spreading frost.
5. Discard the pick. Next scar.

Stop conditions (whole session): frost spreading well past any rim, any doubt about scar type mid-session, hands not steady. Stopping at one treated scar is a valid session.

Step 5 — Spills​

Acid where it shouldn't be
On healthy skin: blot immediately (press, don't smear), flush with water, dab baking-soda paste for a minute, rinse. Expect a small mark; treat it like a treated spot (Vaseline + SPF).
Near or in an eye: flush with lukewarm running water for a full 15 minutes, then same-day urgent care. Do not finish the session.

Step 6 — Wait, rinse, dress​

1. Frost fades over ~15–30 min; stinging for the first few minutes is normal.
2. After ~15–20 min: rinse the face gently with cool water (this removes the moat too), pat dry.
3. Dab Vaseline/Aquaphor on each treated scar.
4. Dump the neutralizer, rinse the dish, trash the picks.

 

[recessed55]

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