Fraxel laser treatment or excision for childhood chickenpox scar?

Question

I have 1 large, and 2 smaller chickenpox scars that I've had since I was three. I visited a couple of skin clinics, both of which did not offer surgical treatments (only laser). The first clinic said that they would not be able to improve it much with laser treatments and suggested I should get excision. The second clinic had a free consultation with a nurse who said they could improve it 70% over three treatments (I left feeling unconvinced). Still, I'm wondering what the best options are.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented  scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve  the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture.  Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.
 
Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Chickenpox scars require a combination approach with subcision, fillers and lasers. It may take a series of treatments to get improvement. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a facial scarring expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Hardik Soni, MD · Answer

Chickenpox scars will not go away only with laser treatment. This requires combination of treatments including fillers and laser, or fat grafting and laser. I advise you to look for an experienced provider to obtain best results. Good luck!

Fraxel laser treatment or excision for childhood chickenpox scar?

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