Where to get TCA spot treatment for pitted acne scars in Ho Chi Minh City? Cost and recovery

TCA spot treatment for pitted acne scars in Ho Chi Minh City should be done at a clinic with a dermatology specialty licence. There, the doctor personally treats each scar point by point. BonBoz Clinic at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly District 3), holds licence 11113/HCM-GPHĐ issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I physician in dermatology, examines and classifies your scars before recommending treatment. There is no published price range for standalone TCA spot treatment. Laser and scar combo packages have public reference prices, listed in the cost section below.

TCA spot treatment (TCA CROSS) uses a toothpick or needle to place high-concentration trichloroacetic acid into the base of each scar. This creates controlled chemical injury so the skin produces collagen from the bottom of the scar upward. Because the acid is very strong, this is not a technique to entrust to a facility without a doctor, and even less to do at home. This article gathers the questions clients ask about TCA spot treatment: whether it is safe, where to have it done, how much it costs, and what to avoid afterwards.

Which types of pitted acne scars suit TCA spot treatment?

According to the clinic's procedure page, the main indication is ice pick scars. The technique is also used for deep, small-diameter boxcar scars and enlarged pores after acne. TCA spot treatment is not used for wide rolling scars, which need subcision to cut the fibrous bands tethering the scar base, and it is not used for keloid scars.

Because the acid is applied only inside the scar, the surrounding healthy skin is left untouched, unlike a full-face chemical peel. It is a "bottom-up" approach for scars that "top-down" laser or microneedling cannot reach deeply enough. A single face often has several scar types, so TCA spot treatment is usually one part of a combined protocol with fractional CO2 laser or micro-point microneedling. DermNet also notes that TCA CROSS can be combined with microneedling, fractional laser and subcision, and that it is hard to achieve full results with this technique alone.

To understand more about how TCA spot treatment differs from laser and microneedling, read how TCA spot treatment differs from laser and microneedling.

Choosing where to have TCA spot treatment: a self-check table

Questions such as "a medical-standard TCA clinic in Gò Vấp", "which doctor to choose in District 10" or "comparing TCA CROSS clinics" can all be answered with the table below. Take it with you when you ask any clinic:

The five general criteria for choosing where to treat pitted acne scars are analysed further in where to treat pitted acne scars in Ho Chi Minh City.

Cost of TCA spot treatment for pitted acne scars

The clinic has not published a separate price range for standalone TCA spot treatment; the cost is quoted after examination. The price depends on the number of scar points to treat, the number of sessions in the protocol, and whether other methods are combined. When TCA spot treatment is part of a combined scar roadmap, the items already have public reference prices on the cost of laser treatment for pitted acne scars page:

Reference prices published in November 2026; an exact quote is given after examination, before you decide.

According to the cost page, examinations and follow-up visits with the dermatologist within the roadmap carry no extra charge; restorative topical medication prescribed is charged separately. The clinic offers instalment payment through partner finance companies, subject to each partner's conditions. If your skin has inflamed acne, the acne needs to be stabilised first, and the cost of that stage follows the acne treatment page.

A TCA spot treatment session at BonBoz

The steps below come from the published procedure page:

1. 1Preparation before the session: stop topical retinoids 5–7 days beforehand; avoid sun for 1–2 weeks beforehand; tell the doctor about any history of keloid scars or herpes; bring inflamed acne under control first.
2. 2Skin analysis and marking: the doctor identifies each ice pick scar and deep boxcar scar to be treated and chooses the concentration.
3. 3Disinfection: the skin is cleansed and disinfected; local anaesthesia may not be needed because the stinging is brief, or light local anaesthesia may be used.
4. 4Point-by-point application: the doctor dips a toothpick or needle in the chosen concentration of TCA and applies a very small amount to the base of each scar until the right degree of white frosting appears, then stops. This takes a few seconds per scar, and about 15–30 minutes for a few dozen scars.
5. 5Finishing: a soothing product and sunscreen are applied.

Watching the frosting is the reason this technique must be done by a doctor: acid spreading onto healthy skin or the wrong concentration can cause burns, new scars or loss of pigmentation.

How long is recovery after TCA spot treatment, and what should you avoid?

Right after treatment, the skin stings and turns red for a few hours. The treated points form brown scabs for 5–7 days and then flake off; afterwards the points stay pink for a few weeks before blending in. DermNet describes a similar course: the area around each point is red and sore for 24–48 hours, small scabs form after 2–3 days and fall off after 3–7 days.

After treatment you need to:

• Not pick at the scabs. Picking is the cause of dark marks at the treated points.
• Cleanse gently and apply the restorative product as prescribed by your doctor.
• Use strict SPF 50 sun protection for 4 weeks, reapplying every 2 hours when outdoors (per the AAD).
• Not exfoliate the treated area for 2 weeks.
• Return for a follow-up after 4–6 weeks before the next session.

Usually 3–6 sessions are needed, 4–6 weeks apart. The scar openings shrink visibly after 2–3 sessions, and collagen keeps forming for several weeks after each session. Response varies between individual scars and between people; scars improve gradually rather than returning to skin that never had scars. The AAD also notes that acne scars rarely disappear completely on their own, and that treatment with a dermatologist helps make them less noticeable.

Who should not have TCA spot treatment, and when should it be postponed?

The clinic's procedure page lists the cases that are unsuitable or must wait:

• Wide rolling scars (these need subcision, not TCA spot treatment), keloid scars, or a tendency to form keloids.
• Skin with inflamed acne, dermatitis, active herpes infection or an infection on the face.
• Recent use of strong topical products that cause peeling.
• Very dark skin that has not been assessed for hyperpigmentation risk, or an inability to strictly avoid the sun afterwards.
• Pregnancy: postpone. If you are breastfeeding, tell the doctor so the timing and the restorative topical products can be considered.
• Anyone planning to buy TCA and apply it at home, where the risk of burns and new scars is very high.

DermNet advises avoiding TCA CROSS within 12 months of taking oral retinoid medication because of the risk of complications during healing. Risks to be aware of include temporary dark marks at the treated points (especially on dark skin without sun protection), widened scars or loss of pigmentation if acid spreads onto healthy skin, and herpes flare-ups in people with a history of it.

Living in Gò Vấp, Thủ Đức or District 1, should you come to BonBoz in District 3?

Distance is not the main criterion. For TCA spot treatment, what matters is who applies it, whether your scars are classified first, and whether someone follows you at the follow-up visits to adjust the concentration and arrange combinations with laser or subcision. Sessions are 4–6 weeks apart, so the total number of trips across the whole roadmap is small. If a clinic near you meets all the criteria in the table above, you can have it done there; if you are not sure, look up the licence and ask clearly who will apply the acid before booking.

Book a pitted acne scar consultation at BonBoz Clinic

• Address: 66–68 Võ Văn Tần, Xuân Hòa Ward (formerly District 3), Ho Chi Minh City
• Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 08:00–20:00
• Phone: 0869 612 310
• Licences: 11113/HCM-GPHĐ (Dermatology) and 10036/HCM-GPHĐ (Aesthetics), issued by the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health, searchable at tracuu.medinet.org.vn
• Doctor: Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I physician in dermatology, practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN, holds a certificate in lasers and light-based treatment in dermatology, more than 8 years of practice
• Initial examination and skin analysis: free

See more details of the method on the TCA spot treatment for pitted acne scars (TCA CROSS) page, and other skin concerns on the dermatology treatment page.

References

• DermNet — TCA CROSS. <https://dermnetnz.org/topics/tca-cross>
• DermNet — Acne scarring. <https://dermnetnz.org/topics/acne-scarring>
• American Academy of Dermatology — Acne scars: Overview. <https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/acne/derm-treat/scars>
• American Academy of Dermatology — How to apply sunscreen. <https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/how-to-apply-sunscreen>

Sources accessed on: 11/11/2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TCA spot treatment for pitted acne scars safe?

TCA spot treatment performed by a doctor, at the right concentration and at the right place in the scar base, is a controlled technique. Risks to be aware of include temporary dark marks at the treated points, especially on dark skin without sun protection. The risk of burns, new scars or loss of pigmentation rises when acid spreads onto healthy skin or the concentration is wrong, so it should not be left to a technician or done at home.

Where should I have TCA spot treatment for pitted acne scars in Ho Chi Minh City?

Choose a clinic with a dermatology specialty licence, where the doctor classifies your scars and applies the acid personally. BonBoz Clinic at 66–68 Võ Văn Tần (formerly District 3) holds licence 11113/HCM-GPHĐ; a dermatologist treats each point, never delegated to a technician.

Which doctor should I choose for TCA spot treatment?

Choose a dermatologist with a practising certificate you can look up, and with experience in classifying scars and combining scar treatment techniques. At BonBoz, Dr. Bùi Thị Kim Kha, Specialist Level I physician (practising certificate 009784/ĐL-CCHN), examines you and plans the roadmap.

What should I avoid after TCA spot treatment?

Do not pick at the scabs, cleanse gently, apply the restorative product as prescribed, use strict SPF 50 sun protection for 4 weeks, and do not exfoliate the treated area for 2 weeks. Scabs usually fall off after 5–7 days; return for a follow-up after 4–6 weeks.

Does TCA spot treatment hurt?

It feels like a sharp sting for a few seconds at each point, which then fades quickly. The doctor can use light local anaesthesia if you need it.

How many TCA spot treatment sessions are needed to see results?

Usually 3–6 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart. The scar openings shrink visibly after 2–3 sessions; the doctor reassesses before each following session.

Can TCA spot treatment replace laser?

It cannot replace it: TCA spot treatment is for ice pick scars and deep, narrow boxcar scars, while laser treats the surface and shallow to moderate scars. The two techniques are often combined on the same face, in separate sessions, or with TCA first and laser after the skin has healed.

What should I look for in reviews of TCA spot treatment for pitted acne scars?

Photos and stories online are hard to compare because each person has different scar types. Ask the place you plan to go to which type your scars are, who will apply the acid personally, how many sessions are needed and what the cost is based on. A clear answer is more trustworthy than a review.

Content written by the BonBoz Clinic professional team.