Chicken Pox Marks - Treatment and Removal
Chicken pox is a highly contagious condition that is caused by the herpes virus. Once the infection sets in, the patient develops several blisters all over the body. These blisters burst open once the viral infection has run its course, and the skin begins to heal itself. However, many of these chicken pox blisters run deep into the skin tissue, and leave behind small pits and holes when they burst. This often leads to marks, scars, and discoloration. In more severe cases, there may be permanent skin tissue damage in the form of small “craters” on the skin surface.
Natural Remedies For Chicken Pox Marks
Among natural remedies for chicken pox marks, usage of vitamin E and onion extracts has been popular. However, medical studies have so far not identified any proven results from such treatments. Since such scars are caused by skin tissue damage, medical treatment relies upon helping the skin heal itself. Application of natural products like aloe vera gel and dilute tea tree oil can help minor scars by increasing the skin’s healing powers. However, deeper scars and marks respond to biological treatments that promote the growth of new skin cells in the damaged areas. Such prescription treatments usually contain active biological enzymes and chemicals. Many people also use over-the-counter skin lightening products for shallow chicken pox marks that cause discoloration and uneven skin tone. These work by bleaching the darkened skin to match the body’s natural skin tone. Dermatologists also use products that use an acid form of vitamin A, which can promote the growth of collagen, which is the building block of skin tissue.
However, most of these treatments work best only for minor chicken pox marks. For more serious scarring, a cosmetic surgery is the only option. Luckily, patients have a choice of several effective procedures that can provide permanent scar removal. These include dermabrasion, where the top layer of the scarred skin is removed by sanding it. As a result, the damaged skin cells are removed and can be replaced by new, healthy cells. However, this can be a painful process for some patients, who can opt for chemical peeling, which offers a similar correction with minimal pain. Another popular option is laser treatment, where small bursts of light energy are used to burn away damaged skin cells from the skin’s surface. This procedure may take several months, but it is the least painful and offers permanent scar removal. Patients may also be advised to use prescription ointments after such treatments to encourage the growth of new, undamaged cells.
