Indented Scars on Arms From 10 Years of Drug Use: How Can I 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

You can have fat grafting to the area, or fillers, and or you can do scar revisions which are a surgical option.

There are a number of options that may help improve the appearance of depressed scars. In some cases soft tissue volume needs to be added.  In others, lasers or other technology-based solutions may be of benefit.  In most cases, a combination of treatments performed over time as opposed to a single treatment will provide the best results. 

Fractionated lasers can help blend the scars, but nothing will make them actually go away.  I have personal experience treating these exact scars and they can do very well with a fractionated laser resurfacing treatment.  However, sometimes the drug use may have resulted in some carbon tattooing in the skin and thus would require a separate laser treatment to treat this pigmentation (a Q-switch laser).  

Good luck and be well.

Chemical peels and laser treatments can help with color and surface issues of the scars, but the depressions are likely to need filler and possibly what is called subcision where a sharp instrument or needle is used to break up any scar tissue that might be pulling down on the surface of the skin - this is likely given the cause of scars.  Fat, diluted sculptra or radiesse may be used. Often just plain saline will stimulate collagen renewal that will gradually fill in the depressed area. Saline is cheap and exceptionally safe but multiple sessions would be needed.