I have two deep dark chickenpox scars on my forehead. Is it possible to have them removed? If so, how? (Photo)

Nothing can get rid of a scar completely.  For these types of scars, subcision and filler work very well to make them much less noticeable.  Without this, lasers will only be partially effective and would not be my first option for you.  Insurance does not cover any of these treatment options.  Please come in for a consultation.  Best, Dr. Emer.

The gold standard for depressed, pitting and even crater-type acne, chicken pox, and similar indented scars is dermabrasion (not micro-dermabrasion) whereby the skin is sand down with a diamond tip burr to the deeper layers leaving a raw surface for about a week before new smooth skin regenerates. Note, this procedure should only be done by a trained surgeon in an operating room not a nurse nor a technician in a spa setting.Once your wounds are healing then scar therapy may be considered. Although the results of scar therapy vary from person to person and scar to scar, the results are typically permanent.Not infrequently potential patients avoid surgery because fear of an unsightly scar. To remedy this, I now utilize and formulate compounded topical creams to treat, relieve and minimize scars for each of my patients:• new scars• old scars• surgical scars• keloid scars• stretch marks• hypertrophic scars• hyperpigmented (dark) scars• various acne scars, burn scars and more...These scar removal creams contain prescription strength medications each individually known to reduce and/or reverse the scarring process but never before compounded together into one high potency formulation. These medications are added to a base of anhydrous silicone (the most common ingredient in everyday topical scar therapy) and Pracaxi oil, found in the Amazon rainforest and known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Many health insurance plans actually cover the cost of the creams and they can be delivered directly to the patients door step. In other words, no need for multiple trips to the doctor for expensive and painful laser treatments, or wasted money on minimally effective over-the-counter topical scar therapy gels or silicone sheets that are unsightly and/or fail to stay on. Instead, with just two applications a day my patients now perform scar therapy in the comfort of their own home. Glad to help.

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

Scars to the forehead are more challenging to address due to the thinness of the skin combined with a shallow but wide scar.  In our practice, the ProFractional laser has been an excellent tool to not just "sand down" a scar (ex:  dermabrasion) but to use a very specific approach to remove pieces of scar to allow opportunity for the growth of new, healthy tissue in the treated area.  The concept is to grow collagen from the inside out.  Using the MicroLaserPeel, we can address the top layer with resurfacing combined with the ProFractionated option to go deep.  The analogy we use is, "mowing the lawn and aerating the lawn."  This is the most advanced laser technology that is ideal for scars.  The approach is target specific, precise, powerful, yet safe.Although there is no laser technology or otherwise to completely erase all signs of a scar, there are definitely more advanced methods to offer far better improvement than can be offered with topical products or older technologies.  Please see the below link to read more about a laser option for various types of scars as well as before and after photos for Los Angeles and Orange County.

There can be many methods to try and improve chicken pox scars on the face.  Sometimes, a filler can be injected to raise the depressed scar to make it less noticeable.  Sometimes lasers or dermabrasion can also help to improve them.  I would say that your best long term solution would be to have a scar revision, where the scars would be excised and ideally, replaced with a thin, linear scar that would be much less noticeable.