What Treatment Should I Use for Chicken Pox Scars?

Chicken pox scars are notoriously difficult to fade, but a handful of home remedies, over-the-counter treatments, and clinical procedures can minimise the appearance of these marks.

You might not remember the week or so you spent endlessly scratching chicken pox, but your skin does. The lesions associated with this common childhood virus inevitably heal, but they may leave pockmarks. Scarring is more likely if you scratched or picked at your chicken pox, or if you had a severe case that damaged the outer layer of skin.

Findings on the effectiveness of various scar treatments is decidedly mixed, and what works for one person might not work for another. Still, there are a number of treatments to consider trying on your chicken pox scars.

Over-the-Counter Remedies

A handful of over-the-counter remedies may fight chicken pox scars. Before trying a scar cream, be sure the wounds are completely healed, and take steps to keep your skin healthy. Moist skin is less vulnerable to scarring.

Some ingredients that may reduce scarring include:

• Rosehip oil, such as KORA Organics Noni Glow Face Oil

• Retinol, which can speed healing and promote the growth of healthy new cells. We recommend the amazing Dermalogica Overnight Retinol Repair. This antioxidant formula makes your skin more sensitive to the sun, so invest in a good sunscreen.

• Exfoliants such as lactic and glycolic acid, which remove dead skin and promote healthy cell growth. Try SkinCeuticals LHA Cleansing Gel

• Vitamin E, which moisturises to improve the appearance of dry, damaged skin surrounding scars. Vitamin E won't directly attack chicken pox scars, but it may minimise their severity.

Professional Treatments

Clinical treatments for chicken pox scars tend to be the most effective, but they're also the most costly. Talk to your doctor about which remedies will work best for your skin, since some treatments are safe only in small doses or when not used in addition to other medications. Your options include:

• Surgical treatments to remove the scar. A severe scar may require a skin graft.

• Steroid injections to diminish the scar's appearance.

• Silicone strips that can help flatten the scar.

• Topical scar-fading treatments.

• Professional microdermabrasion or chemical peels. Pro treatments are much more effective than DIY kits at eliminating scars.

Home Remedies

Home and alternative remedies aren't widely accepted for a reason: the evidence for their effectiveness is largely anecdotal, with few studies available to support their use. That doesn't mean home remedies don't work, just that their results are unpredictable.

If you want to experiment with a few home-based scar treatments, consider one or more of the following:

• Coconut oil: A richly emollient skin salve, coconut oil may help slowly fade scars.

• Honey: Long-beloved for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, honey may speed the healing process, so it works best when applied to a newer scar.

• Aloe vera:  A skin-soothing moisturiser, aloe vera may help lighten the redness of some chicken pox scars.

• Cocoa butter: People have long sworn by the skin-healing properties of cocoa butter, and many insist that it can prevent scars.