I Have 2 Deep Chicken Pox Scars on my Nose,what Can I Use to Remove Them?

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

This is a tough area and “removal” is not easy.  Have an evaluation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who does noses, and there may be surgical options , laser, or time.

Chicken pox scars can be difficult to treat depending on the size of the scar and the location. It may take a combination of injections such as Restylane and Fraxel lasers to improve the appearance of the scars. For the best cosmetic results please consult a board certified dermatologist with a great deal of experience with lasers and scar treatments. 

There are a few options which I have used successfully - subcision (needling under the skin), TCA cross treatment, and fractionated laser resurfacing. In some cases a simple punch excision can be very successful. Best to have a consultation with your dermatologist to discuss the best option for you.

Without a picture it is difficult to tell what your best choice is.Excision is one choice CO2 laser resurfacing is another, sometimes a filler may help.

Without pictures it would be difficult to see exactly what type of procedure would help.  Depending on the exact location on the nose, there are several possibilities to improve the scar, if there is a possibility at all.  Fractionated and non-fractionated CO2 resurfacing could help the blend the edges.  Dermabrasion can sometimes do wonders.  Excision, per the other physician's post, would be useful depending on the location on the nose.

Scars on the nose may be difficult to treat. I f they are on the thinner skin of the nose they may be able to be revised, i.e., cut out and stitched to give a fine line scar instead of an indentation. If they are on the thicker tip skin it may be better to use a filler, such as Juvederm to try to smooth them out. A plastic surgeon would be able to advise you after examing the scars.

Chicken pox scars are among the most difficult to treat.  Laser does not work well because the depth of skin injury is too deep.  Excision of the scar will result in another scar, often times longer in length.  I developed a concept of scar treatment called FaSuLa, that I have used successfully for almost 15 years to evaluate and treat facial scars.  Most chicken pox scars do well with this technique.  It involves releasing the scar bands to allow the skin to float up to the surface again, followed by implantation of a graft material to fill the gap.  Once the scar is flat, secondary treatment with laser is sometimes beneficial.  Often these scars have lost the natural skin color, and this can not be fixed with our present day knowledge.  You can read more about this on my website.

Good Luck,

Yoash R. Enzer, MD