SKIN & SCARS · ILLUSTRATED 3D RECOVERY
TCA CROSS (Ice-Pick Scars): before & after and recovery stages
Follow narrow cheek pits through pale surface marks, small scabs and a later residual-texture comparison.
SUMMARY
What this example shows
Small, narrow cheek pits stay at fixed sites. Temporary pale frosting gives way to local scabs, then a later example with residual depressions. The relief slider changes only the illustrated depth, not acid strength or a session count.
STAGE BY STAGE
TCA CROSS (Ice-Pick Scars) recovery stages
Narrow-pit reference
Small pits have narrow openings and tapered floors.
The same fictional sites remain fixed in every view.
First hours: Temporary pale marks
Frosting briefly masks the pits.
DermNet describes frosting lasting up to 12 hours.
First few days: Small surface scabs
Local brown marks cover the fixed sites.
Scabs can develop after two to three days and subsequently fall away.
Later comparison: Residual pits remain
The adjustable example has shallower depressions, not smooth replacement skin.
The displayed depth is not a treatment-session forecast.
TIMELINE
Day-by-day checkpoints in the 3D model
The simulator interpolates between these authored checkpoints. They describe the illustration, not measured clinical averages.
The unchanged display face provides a reference for this example.
Small pale marks cover the same scar sites.
The brief pale marks give way to a local surface response.
Frosting has faded; local color surrounds the pits.
Brown surface marks obscure the underlying depressions.
The same sites become visible beneath fading marks.
Residual texture is visible again in this authored example.
The example begins to show shallower pits.
Depressions remain; this is not a one-session forecast.
Depth and timing are illustrative, not measured improvement.
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
How recovery can vary
Timing and response
Scar sites and depth are fictional. The timeline shows one surface response; it does not prescribe acid strength, application or a treatment count.
Longer term
Repeated or combined treatment may be needed. Persistent color changes and individual scar response are not predicted.
EVIDENCE NOTES
Sources and limitations
- DermNet: TCA CROSS
Brief frosting, early local redness and small scabs. Later depth changes in the viewer are authored, not measured results.
- AAD: Acne scar treatment
Scar types need different approaches. Scar surgery can lift depressed skin, with further change during healing and individualized combination treatment.
KEEP COMPARING
Other skin & scars examples
- Z-Plasty (Scar Reorientation)
- Scar Revision Surgery
- Mole Removal (Shave)
- Mole Removal (Excision)
- Microdermabrasion
- Dermabrasion
- Light Chemical Peel
- Medium Chemical Peel
- Deep Chemical Peel
- Ablative Laser Resurfacing
- Nonablative Laser Resurfacing
- Microneedling (Without RF)
- Radiofrequency Microneedling
- IPL (Brown-Spot Response)
- Laser Toning (Melasma)
- Skin Booster Injections
- Punch Elevation (Boxcar Scars)
- Punch Skin Grafting (Acne Scars)
- Punch Excision (Acne Scars)
- Cryotherapy (Small Raised Scars)
- Keloid Excision
- Steroid Injections (Keloid)
- Steroid Injections (Raised Acne Scars)
- Subcision (Rolling Cheek Scars)
- Pulsed Dye Laser (Cheek Redness)
This illustration is not medical advice, diagnosis, a treatment recommendation or a prediction of personal results. Swelling, color, contour and dates are authored examples on a fictional face. BeautiNext is not a clinic; your treating team’s assessment and written recovery plan take priority.