How To Fade Chickenpox Scars

Trivia

The red spots caused by chickenpox are about 1/5 inch to 2/5 inch wide and look like chickpeas. Hence, it is called chickenpox.

What Causes Chickenpox Scars?

Chickenpox is a common childhood disease caused by the varicella-zoster virus that can result in scars, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and blistering. Vaccination is the best prevention method of reducing the risk of this contagious disease by activating the immune system.

However, you may experience extreme itchiness during this period, and most of the patients scratch the blisters to relieve the itching. This can cause a deeper wound at the area, and as the skin heals, you may develop depressed scar tissue. The next section discusses the common types of chickenpox scars.

Types Of Chickenpox Scars

Chickenpox scars are generally atrophic scars. Their common traits are:

•  They appear indented and depressed.
•  They are round (5-10mm diameter)

Hypertrophic (raised) scars and keloids are uncommon after chickenpox. Atrophic scars are caused when the skin cannot produce enough collagen to cover the depressed area. As a result, the skin looks pitted and rough.

Dermatology experts recommend self-care practices and cosmetic procedures like laser therapy and topical creams to soothe these scars. Here is what you can do to improve the appearance and learn how to remove deep chicken pox scars naturally.

How To Get Rid Of Chickenpox Scars: Natural Remedies And Medical Treatments

Home Remedies For Chickenpox Scars

These remedies may not fade old scars. However, if you are recovering from chickenpox, they may help in proper wound care and prevent scarring.

1. Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera can reduce inflammation, promote proper wound healing, and reduce scar tissue size (1). It can also soothe the skin and relieve itching. You can massage the affected area with fresh aloe vera gel and leave it on overnight.

2. Shea Butter

Shea butter is a popular remedy to reduce keloidⁱ  XHarmless thick raised scar after the healing of the injury, usually on earlobes, cheeks, shoulders and chest. scars after a surgical procedure (2). It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and moisturizes the skin. Massaging the affected area with shea butter can keep the area hydrated, maintain its elasticity, reduce itching, and prevent scarring.

3. Rosehip Seed Oil

The antioxidants and the phytochemicalsⁱ  XBioactive nutrients found in plants that provide health benefits and reduce the risk of major chronic diseases. present in rosehip seed oil make it an excellent choice for scar management (3). It can reduce skin dryness and help improve the appearance of scars. You can massage the affected area with rosehip seed oil regularly to achieve the desired results.

Over-The-Counter Treatments

1. Retinoic Acid

This vitamin A derivative boosts collagen production and is widely used to minimize wrinkles and fine lines. When used with glycolic acidⁱ  XThe chemical compound obtained from sugar cane present in foods and used in skin care products to the top layer of dead skin cells. , it can effectively reduce scars (4).

2. Chemical Peels

OTC chemical peels containing glycolic acid can help improve skin texture. It sloughs away the dead skin cells, promotes cell regeneration, and fades scars. Doctors may use medium-deep or deep chemical peels, depending on the scar severity (5). However, consult a doctor before using OTC chemical peels and follow the instructions mentioned in the package. Else, they may irritate the skin, cause chemical burns, and worsen the skin.

3. Scar Removal Creams

These formulations contain an assortment of ingredients that can reduce the appearance of scars and fade them. You can also seek your dermatologist’s advice on what cream to use for chickenpox scars.

A YouTuber shared her experience of using scar removal creams recommended by her to remove chickenpox scars. She explained, “This has really helped me. I think I use this for two months at least. I think just at night I would suggest to use all of these things probably at the night time. This actually has really helped me (i).”

4. Silicone Sheets

Silicone sheets are primarily used to treat keloids and hypertrophic scars. They hydrate the skin tissues to shrink and flatten scars to promote healing and subsequent fading (6).

Professional And Medical Treatment

Older scars are tough to fade and may require medical treatment. Here are a few treatments that the dermatologist may suggest:

1. Laser Resurfacing

In this treatment, lasers of specific wavelengths are used to boost collagen production in the affected area and fade the scars. This is performed by a trained professional and is minimally invasive. However, you may have to go for multiple sessions.

2. Microneedling

Microneedling is a process where the skin is punctured with needles to create micro-injuries. This tricks the skin to produce collagen to heal the injury, which helps minimize the appearance of the scars. This treatment is performed by trained professionals using needles of varying thickness, depending on the scar depth. You can also buy at-home microneedling devices. However, doing it at home can injure your skin and worsen the scars.

Trivia

Microneedling was first used in the year 1995 by Dr. Desmond Fernandes to treat scars and wrinkles.

3. Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion can help fade chickenpox scars by sanding away the epidermis using a crystal tip device that rotates at high speed. Sloughing away the topmost layer promotes cell regeneration and improves the skin texture.

4. Chemical Peels

Chemical peels exfoliate the skin, promote skin regeneration, and fade the scars. The in-office chemical peeling uses medical-grade solutions that give better results than the at-home OTC peels. The downtime and recovery depend on whether you opt for a light, medium, or deep peel.

5. Dermal Fillers

Fillers can reshape the depressed and sunken scars. Dermal fillers are made of hyaluronic acidⁱ  XA slippery and gooey substance produced naturally by the body that lubricates skin, eyes, and joints. and healthy fats, which are injected under the scar tissues to reduce the indentation. However, this treatment only lasts six months.

6. Punch Excision

This treatment is recommended for deep, severe, pitted, or sunken scars. In this treatment, the dermatologist will numb your skin and use a punching tool to remove the scar surgically and stitch the skin.

7. Skin Grafting

Skin grafting is a surgical procedure used to treat severe chickenpox scars. The procedure involves removing a thin layer of healthy skin from an unaffected area and placing it over the scarred area. This can help minimize the appearance of deep or pitted scars, improving the skin’s texture and appearance. Skin grafting is quite effective and is typically done when other treatments have been unsuccessful. It requires careful post-operative care to ensure the successful integration of the graft. This procedure can take 4-6 months. Hence, talk to your dermatologist and understand the benefits and risks involved before opting for this surgical procedure.

Taking care of the blisters during the recovery phase can reduce the risk of scarring. Here is what you have to do to avoid chickenpox scars.

How To Prevent Scarring From Chickenpox

•  Avoid scratching or picking the dried blisters. Do not remove the flakes forcefully.

• Always use the prescribed antibiotic to prevent secondary infection.

•  Keep the chickenpox blisters moisturized to alleviate itching.

•  Prepare an oatmeal bath and soak in it to soothe your skin.

•  Wear sunscreen to prevent UV damage and further collagen degradation.

•  Consult the doctor and take oral antihistaminesⁱ  XMedicines that treat cold and flu symptoms, motion sickness, and allergic reactions, like running nose and fever. to relieve the itching. However, avoid using topical antihistamines.

•  Use moisturizing creams and products that contain natural ingredients like aloe vera, cocoa butter, argan oil, and coconut oil to soothe the skin and prevent scarring.

Infographic: 6 Effective Ways To Fade Chickenpox Scars

While chickenpox lasts for only a few days, its aftermath can leave lasting reminders on our skin. Lucky for you, there are several methods to minimize these scars. These range from simple kitchen ingredients to medical treatments. Check out the infographic below for the best ways to get rid of those pesky scars.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can chicken pox scars be removed naturally?

Yes. Chickenpox scars are not permanent and fade away naturally within 6-12 months if one is not severely infected. Natural remedies like aloe vera help accelerate the fading of chicken pox scars.

Can you get chicken pox twice?

Only in rare cases. But most often, you can get it only once in a lifetime (and you develop immunity against it after that). This is called breakthrough varicella.

Which is worse, smallpox or chickenpox?

Smallpox is worse than chickenpox. It causes fever, rashes, and blisters, just like chickenpox, but they are more severe. That said, smallpox has been eradicated.

Can we apply turmeric on chicken pox?

Turmeric paste helps soothe the itching and irritation associated with chickenpox (7). However, more studies are warranted in this regard.

Personal Experience: Source

i. How I cleared my chickenpox marks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_51Ucuov2M

Sources

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Dr. Sravya TipirneniMBBS, MD DVL, AMPH (ISB)

     

Dr. Sravya Chowdary Tipirneni is a consultant dermatologist and cosmetologist with 7 years of experience and practices at Columbia Asia Hospital Whitefield, Bengaluru, India. She is a life member of the Indian Association of Dermatologists and Venereologists and Leprologists and the Association of Cutaneous Surgeons of India (ASCI). Dr. Sravya completed her MBBS from Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences &...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

 

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Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

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