Indented scars usually result from serious acne, although a severe case of chickenpox in childhood or adulthood also can leave indented scars. Regardless of the cause, many people with them are self-conscious and wish they could rid themselves of the scars. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), several different treatments can diminish the appearance of indented scars.
Significance
Indented scars can form in the aftermath of severe skin lesions. In the case of acne, the bacteria that causes pimples also contributes to inflammation and infection; infected acne lesions are more likely to leave such scars. In the case of chickenpox, bacterial infection of the pock marks also plays a role. Either way, scars result that appear as deep or shallow saucer-like craters on the skin.
Function
No treatment can completely eliminate indented scars, says the AAD. But dermatologists offer several procedures that will make the indents less noticeable.
These include procedures to remove the top layer of skin, such as laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels, as well as surgical techniques to physically cut away the scar or plump it up with a dermatological filler.
Types
Laser skin resurfacing can treat indented scars effectively since the treatment blasts away the uppermost layer of skin, which diminishes the scars and makes them appear less deep.
Laser skin resurfacing has almost completely replaced dermabrasion as the procedure of choice to treat deep scars. Dermatologists also may recommend chemical peels to treat indented scars. This treatment uses a strong acid to induce the skin on the surface to literally peel, revealing better-looking skin underneath.
More Types
In particularly severe cases of scarring, dermatologists may perform surgery to cut away the indented scar and replace it with a skin graft, which normally is taken from behind the ears.
Physicians may also recommend fillers, which are gaining in popularity, to fill in the scars. Most fillers are only temporary, however, and last a maximum of three to six months, according to the AAD.
Considerations
Laser skin resurfacing, scar surgery with grafts, and chemical peels can lead to significant recovery time, so your skin is likely to look worse before it looks better. Chemical peels require less recovery time, and fillers require practically no recovery time at all. The AAD recommends consulting with a dermatologist to determine which procedure is best to treat indented scars.
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