Most Effective Way to Remove Chickenpox Scars
YOGYAKARTA - Many people are looking for ways to remove chickenpox scars because they often make you feel self-conscious and affect your appearance. Unfortunately, chickenpox scars can persist for a long time, but there are various effective solutions that can help.
Feeling low in self-confidence due to chickenpox scars is normal, but don't worry. With the right treatment, you can gradually reduce chickenpox scars and restore your self-confidence.
How to Get Rid of Chickenpox Scars
As reported on the GoodRx Inc page, here are 8 of the most realistic ways to remove chickenpox scars:
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip oil comes from rose hips, which are rich in vitamins, oils, and antioxidants that can help reduce scars.
In a small study, people who applied rosehip oil twice daily to surgical scars experienced improved skin appearance after 12 weeks. While this study wasn't focused on smallpox scars, surgical scars are similar to smallpox scars, so it's possible they could also help fade smallpox scars.
Also read articles discussing the Differences Between Measles and Chickenpox, including Monkeypox.
Tretinoin Cream
Tretinoin cream (e.g., Retin-A) belongs to the retinoid class of medications that work by stimulating new cell growth and reducing inflammation. This medication is commonly used to treat acne, acne scars, and signs of skin aging.
While there are no specific studies on chickenpox scars, the combination of tretinoin with laser treatment for facial scars (including chickenpox) has been shown to be effective.
Furthermore, nightly application of 0.05% tretinoin cream for several weeks before and after laser treatment resulted in improved skin appearance within 3 months.
- Isotretinoin
Isotretinoin is an oral medication commonly used for severe acne. Its effects are stronger than tretinoin cream.
In a small study, people with chickenpox scars and uneven skin tone were given low doses of isotretinoin every other night for 1–4 months. After 4 months, their skin appeared more even and the chickenpox scars lessened.
However, isotretinoin has many side effects and is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, further research is needed before it can be recommended specifically for chickenpox scars.
Topiramate
Topiramate is typically used for epilepsy or migraines, but it has been tried for scarring. In a small study, people with chickenpox scars who took a low dose of topiramate daily for one month reported improvements in their skin appearance.
However, the effectiveness of this drug is unclear, and further research is needed.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels work by removing damaged skin layers and stimulating new skin growth.
For chickenpox scars, the most widely studied treatment is trichloroacetic acid (TCA) using the CROSS (Chemical Reconstruction of Skin Scars) method. This involves applying a high-dose TCA solution directly to the base of the scar, triggering mild inflammation that promotes new collagen formation.
Strikingly, after three months of regular treatment, most participants experienced significant improvement without serious side effects.
Laser Treatments
Lasers are widely used to treat various types of scars. They work by eroding old scar tissue while stimulating new collagen production.
Several small studies have shown that CO2 and YAG lasers can improve chickenpox scars. CO2 lasers are more effective for raised scars, while YAG lasers are more effective for sunken scars.
However, it's best to consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to choose the right and safest laser for your skin type.
Microneedling
Microneedling is a procedure that involves inserting tiny needles into the skin's surface to stimulate new collagen formation. This method can help fade scars and even out skin tone.
While research on chickenpox scars is limited, there are reports that three monthly microneedling sessions can help reduce the darkening of chickenpox scars. However, this procedure should be performed by a qualified healthcare professional for safe and effective results.
Surgery
For severe or extensive chickenpox scars, surgery may be a last resort. Some procedures include subcision suction (separating scar tissue), skin grafting, or scar excision (removing pockmarked tissue).
In addition to discussing how to remove pockmarks from chickenpox, stay tuned for other interesting articles on VOI. For the latest news, don't forget to follow and stay tuned to all our social media accounts!