There are many different ways to help reduce the appearance of chickenpox scars. These include aloe vera, vitamin E and laser therapy.
Chickenpox is a highly contagious virus. Most people will experience it once in their lifetime, usually as a child. This single episode can cause lasting effects, including chickenpox scarring.
Chickenpox signs are more likely to develop if a person picks or scratches the rash. Scars can be bothersome to some people, especially if they are on visible parts of the body, such as the face.
Getting rid of chickenpox scars takes some effort and patience, but there are many over-the-counter (OTC) treatments and medical procedures that can help reduce them.
A number of home remedies and medical treatments can help reduce the appearance of chickenpox scars.
Home remedies
Some people recommend natural skin products for chicken pox scar removal. While many of these products may be beneficial to skin health overall, it is common for manufacturers to make bold claims about their effectiveness.
It is best to talk to a doctor before using a natural scar removal product.
Natural products that people can try using to remove chickenpox scars include:
- aloe vera
- oats
- cocoa butter
- argan oil
- olive oil
- coconut oil
- jojoba oil
- shea butter
- lemon juice
- honey
- baking soda
These ingredients may be helpful in maintaining skin health or supporting scar healing, but there is little research to confirm that they are effective.
However, researchers have tested the following ingredients’ ability to remove scars:
A 2016 review of studies on vitamin E as a treatment for scars have had mixed results. While some studies have shown that vitamin E leads to a significant improvement in the appearance of scars, others have reported no benefit.
Some studies have also found that vitamin E causes additional side effects, such as rash and itching.
People who wish to try using a vitamin E cream should first talk to a dermatologist. Creams with vitamin E are available in pharmacies and online.
Research from 2015 found that daily application of a specific brand of rosehip oil to scars for 12 weeks improved their appearance by reducing redness and discoloration.
However, the study was small, so further research is needed to determine whether it is an effective treatment.
People should dilute any essential oils in a carrier oil before applying them to the skin to avoid causing adverse reactions.
Rosehip oil is available in some health stores and online.
Exfoliation is the process of removing old and dead skin cells. Exfoliating a scar can help remove some of the rough or discolored tissue and reveal the younger tissue underneath.
Exfoliators can be either mechanical or chemical.
Mechanical exfoliators include facial scrubs, pumice stones, and loofahs, all of which have a rough texture that can scrape off dead skin cells.
Chemical peels include some lotions, creams, and body washes that contain chemicals that remove old skin cells to reveal younger skin.
Some OTC scar removal creams and ointments may help remove chickenpox scars.
People should look for specific ingredients, such as retinol and glycolic acid, which are common in acne scar products.
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These ingredients may also be helpful for chickenpox scars, which are similar to acne scars in appearance.
Some OTC chemical peels are also available. These peels tend to be less effective than medical peel treatments and may only provide subtle results.
Some people may find that seeing a doctor for a professional peel and then using an at-home peel for maintenance helps them achieve permanent results.
Silicone sheets are sheets that a person applies to their scars daily for a set period, generally over 6 months.
The leaves may help hydrate scar tissue and cause scars to fade.
People can buy silicone sheets at some pharmacies and online.
Medical treatments
Some people prefer to take medical treatments to remove chicken pox scars. Professional treatment may be the best option for heavy scarring.
These treatments include:
Fillers, also called soft tissue fillers, can add shape to affected skin. Fillers may be more effective in treating bags and sunken scars. Doctors inject a safe material, such as fat or hyaluronic acid, into the scar to fill the indentation.
As fillers break down over time, a repeat treatment will be necessary approximately once every 6 months.
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion
Dermabrasion and microdermabrasion are similar techniques, both of which can be effective in improving the appearance of scar tissue.
Microdermabrasion involves a dermatologist using a device that blows particles of zinc oxide or sodium bicarbonate into the skin to loosen and remove scar tissue. Alternatively, they can brush the scarred area using a device that has a coating of diamond particles. The skin care professional will then use a vacuum to remove any residue left on the skin.
Dermabrasion uses a stiff, rapidly rotating brush to scrape away the top layers and deeper areas of the scar.
Like dermabrasion, chemical peels also lift the skin’s surface, but they use chemicals to break down the top layers of skin.
Doctors use a strong acid, which breaks down the older layers of the skin. The layers of skin underneath look more youthful, so the scar tissue may not be as noticeable.
It is important to note that the skin will also be tender and prone to damage for several days after a chemical peel.
Microneedling can also help with scar removal. To perform microneedling, doctors first apply an anesthetic to the area near the scar. They then roll a small tool with a sheath of tiny needles over the area to puncture the skin repeatedly.
The needles stimulate skin cells to produce collagen, which can result in smoother looking skin.
Many people need multiple microneedling sessions before seeing any results. The procedure also causes some bleeding.
Excision removes the chickenpox scar by cutting it out. Doctors can cut away the scarred part of the skin and sew the wound back up. However, these stitches tend to leave new scars.
People with deep scars or dimpled scars may be happy to exchange them for a thin linear scar from the stitches.
Various types of laser therapy may help with chickenpox scars. Laser treatment is now one of the most common ways to treat chickenpox scars and marks.
Laser therapy uses high-energy light to reduce the appearance of scars.
