CROSS Technique (TCA Cross)

Immediately after treatment:

• Right after treatment with the CROSS technique, the skin will sting or burn. The skin in the treated area may become red and/or swollen. The treated scars themselves will be white or have a “frosted” appearance.
• After treatment, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic that will need to be applied until crusts form on top of the treated scars.
• No dressings are necessary after treatment with the CROSS technique.

Days and weeks after treatment:

• In the days after treatment, if your doctor has prescribed an antibiotic, you will need to apply it to the treated scars until crusts form.
• Crusts will form on top of the treated scars 1-3 days after treatment. These crusts will shed spontaneously in 5-7 days.

CAUTION: Detaching the crusts may increase the likelihood of side effects such as skin coloration changes (hypo- or hyperpigmentation). Instead of detaching the crusts yourself, wait for them to fall off on their own.

• It is important to avoid sun exposure and apply sunscreen for 1 month after the treatment.
• You may use make-up to camouflage skin redness and other side effects while your skin heals.

Longer term:

The most common long-term complications of treatment with the CROSS technique are persistent skin redness (erythema) and skin coloration changes, especially skin darkening (hyperpigmentation).