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How To Get Rid Of Chicken Pox Scars On Face?
Question: TO Dr. XXXXXXX Batra
Dear Sir,
I'm 24 yrs old female with a combination skin and have recently recovered from severe chicken pox . However, the chicken pox has left deep pitted scars on my face which are brownish in colour. There are black spots all over my body too. Prior to the chicken pox, my skin was smooth and radiant. There was no problem of acne or anything. What is worrying me is that, the dermatologist I went to, was not very sure about fading away of my pits. I want to know whether I would ever be able to get back to my old skin. Can these pit be healed? My dermatologist has prescribed me Kojivit Gel to be applied twice and Hexilak Gel for the deep pits. I have been applying these creams for past 6 days. Will it work. And what medication would you advise.
Regards
XXXX
Dear Sir,
I'm 24 yrs old female with a combination skin and have recently recovered from severe chicken pox . However, the chicken pox has left deep pitted scars on my face which are brownish in colour. There are black spots all over my body too. Prior to the chicken pox, my skin was smooth and radiant. There was no problem of acne or anything. What is worrying me is that, the dermatologist I went to, was not very sure about fading away of my pits. I want to know whether I would ever be able to get back to my old skin. Can these pit be healed? My dermatologist has prescribed me Kojivit Gel to be applied twice and Hexilak Gel for the deep pits. I have been applying these creams for past 6 days. Will it work. And what medication would you advise.
Regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Use tretinoin 0.025% cream rather than silicone gel for depressed scars
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have also reviewed the Image.
Chicken pox can lead to either post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and/ or atrophic scars.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation Or dark spots are flat/ level with the skin and would certainly go away with time whereas atrophic scars are depressed below the surface.
In Image I can see that you have both post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation/ dark spots as well as atrophic scars.
Kojivit gel contains a skin lightening agent i.e kojic acid and would be useful for these spots.
The crateriform scars i.e depressed/ atrophic scars would also improve to an extent, on there own, with time as the area will remodel once chicken-pox lesions are healing. This remodeling will continue to happen over the next few weeks Or months.
Rather than applying hexilak gel which is a silicone gel and better suited for raised, hypertrophic scars I would suggest you to apply tretinoin 0.025% cream over depressed chicken pox scars.
Tretinoin has collagen remodeling property and would help in resurfacing depressed scars. Use it once daily at night after all the scabs have fallen off.
However, the depressed/ atrophic scars may not recover completely back to normal i.e level skin.
Regards
Use tretinoin 0.025% cream rather than silicone gel for depressed scars
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX Thank you for writing to us
I have taken note of your query and I have also reviewed the Image.
Chicken pox can lead to either post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and/ or atrophic scars.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation Or dark spots are flat/ level with the skin and would certainly go away with time whereas atrophic scars are depressed below the surface.
In Image I can see that you have both post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation/ dark spots as well as atrophic scars.
Kojivit gel contains a skin lightening agent i.e kojic acid and would be useful for these spots.
The crateriform scars i.e depressed/ atrophic scars would also improve to an extent, on there own, with time as the area will remodel once chicken-pox lesions are healing. This remodeling will continue to happen over the next few weeks Or months.
Rather than applying hexilak gel which is a silicone gel and better suited for raised, hypertrophic scars I would suggest you to apply tretinoin 0.025% cream over depressed chicken pox scars.
Tretinoin has collagen remodeling property and would help in resurfacing depressed scars. Use it once daily at night after all the scabs have fallen off.
However, the depressed/ atrophic scars may not recover completely back to normal i.e level skin.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your elaborate answer. I've got some more queries. Just like my face, I've got spots all over my body. What could I apply on these black spots and can I start having vit e capsules, once I finish my oxidon plus capsules. Would vit e capsules help in fading away of my spots and pits? If yes, then , can I get my daily requisite doze of vit.e from our daily meals. What are the good sources of vit .e in food.
Regards
Thank you for your elaborate answer. I've got some more queries. Just like my face, I've got spots all over my body. What could I apply on these black spots and can I start having vit e capsules, once I finish my oxidon plus capsules. Would vit e capsules help in fading away of my spots and pits? If yes, then , can I get my daily requisite doze of vit.e from our daily meals. What are the good sources of vit .e in food.
Regards
Brief Answer:
Kojivit gel for dark spots elsewhere on body.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I would also suggest you to use a broad spectrum sunscreen on all exposed skin throughout the day. Sun protection would also help fading away of dark spots.
Just like face you may use kojivit gel for dark spots elsewhere on body.
Yes, you may take vitamin E capsules. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and would help fade away dark spots though it won't affect pits.
Commonly available and rich dietary sources of vit E include almonds, walnuts, pistachios, spinach, broccoli, papaya, mangoes, milk and milk products, egg yolk, fish etc.
Can add a few of these dietary sources in your daily diet.
Regards
Kojivit gel for dark spots elsewhere on body.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I would also suggest you to use a broad spectrum sunscreen on all exposed skin throughout the day. Sun protection would also help fading away of dark spots.
Just like face you may use kojivit gel for dark spots elsewhere on body.
Yes, you may take vitamin E capsules. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and would help fade away dark spots though it won't affect pits.
Commonly available and rich dietary sources of vit E include almonds, walnuts, pistachios, spinach, broccoli, papaya, mangoes, milk and milk products, egg yolk, fish etc.
Can add a few of these dietary sources in your daily diet.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Sir,
Thank you for answering each of my questions in so much detail.
Can you suggest me any such good broad spectrum sunscreen?
With all these spots & pits on my face, can I go for my regular clean ups & facials or would it impede my recovery. And what about waxing; is it allowed when you are having these spots?
Does eating oily & fatty foods not advisable for persons with these spots & pits?
Regards
Thank you for answering each of my questions in so much detail.
Can you suggest me any such good broad spectrum sunscreen?
With all these spots & pits on my face, can I go for my regular clean ups & facials or would it impede my recovery. And what about waxing; is it allowed when you are having these spots?
Does eating oily & fatty foods not advisable for persons with these spots & pits?
Regards
Brief Answer:
Waxing is ok.Facials have no effect on skin healing. No dietary restriction
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Sebamed sunscreen lotion spf 50 Or Neutrogena Ultrasheer dry touch sunblock spf 50.
Waxing is fine.
As a dermatologist I usually don't suggest facials in my patients and I am strictly against it. Its your wish if you want o take a facial. It would neither impede nor enhance. Facials may rather cause irritation because you would be using medicines on face.
There are no dietray restrictions.
Regards
Waxing is ok.Facials have no effect on skin healing. No dietary restriction
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Sebamed sunscreen lotion spf 50 Or Neutrogena Ultrasheer dry touch sunblock spf 50.
Waxing is fine.
As a dermatologist I usually don't suggest facials in my patients and I am strictly against it. Its your wish if you want o take a facial. It would neither impede nor enhance. Facials may rather cause irritation because you would be using medicines on face.
There are no dietray restrictions.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Sir,
For how long can I use kogivik gel & tretinoin gel, i.e., until I see results or only for a specific period like 3-4 months?
Once again thank you for your thorough consultation.
Regards
For how long can I use kogivik gel & tretinoin gel, i.e., until I see results or only for a specific period like 3-4 months?
Once again thank you for your thorough consultation.
Regards
Brief Answer:
Can use for a longer period
Detailed Answer:
Hi. You can expect noticeable results in about 2-4 weeks. You may need to use these for 2-3 months or even longer. Treatment is individualised. Regards
Can use for a longer period
Detailed Answer:
Hi. You can expect noticeable results in about 2-4 weeks. You may need to use these for 2-3 months or even longer. Treatment is individualised. Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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