trichloroacetic acid

noun

tri·​chlo·​ro·​ace·​tic acid ˌtrī-ˌklȯr-ō-ə-ˈsē-tik- 

variants or less commonly trichloracetic acid

ˌtrī-ˌklȯr-ə-ˈsē-tik- 

: a strong vesicant pungent acid C₂Cl₃HO₂ used in weed control and in medicine as a caustic and astringent

Examples of trichloroacetic acid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While these can be good for rolling and boxcar scars, ice pick scars may require a more intense peel, like TCA (trichloroacetic acid) cross therapy. —Aryelle Siclait, Women's Health, 26 May 2023

Common active ingredients in pro-grade peels include glycolic, mandelic, salicylic, and lactic acids, along with trichloroacetic acid. —Janell M. Hickman, SELF, 27 July 2022

Jessner, which unclogs pores with equal parts salicylic acid, lactic acid, and resorcinol, an antiseptic exfoliant, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA), which helps brighten dull skin, are the most popular options. —Kaitlin Clark, Allure, 1 Nov. 2021

Medium depth peels are most commonly performed with glycolic acid, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), or Jessner’s solution, which is a mixture of lactic acid, salicylic acid, and an antiseptic exfoliant. —Julie Ricevuto, Allure, 19 Nov. 2020

For up to medium-depth spot removal, chemical peels including trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or glycolic acid superficially injure the skin to provoke a wound-healing response that expels dark pigment. —Mackenzie Wagoner, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

trichloroacetic acid

noun

tri·​chlo·​ro·​ace·​tic acid ˌtrī-ˌklōr-ō-ə-ˌsēt-ik-, -ˌklȯr- 

variants also trichloracetic acid

-ˌklōr-ə-ˌsēt-ik- 

: a strong vesicant pungent acid C₂Cl₃HO₂ made usually by chlorinating acetic acid or by oxidizing chloral and used in medicine as a caustic and astringent compare monochloroacetic acid