How to Decrease the Appearance of Indented Scars

Hydrating scars diminishes discoloration.

Reducing the appearance of an indented scar can make the difference between feeling confident and self-conscious. When skin is wounded, it produces scar tissue to replace the damaged skin. An excess growth of scar tissue causes hypertrophic scars raised above the skin, while tissue loss creates atrophic scars sunken below the skin. Atrophic or ice pick scars appear depressed or pitted, and are caused by skin conditions, such as acne and chicken pox, surgical incisions or sustained injuries. You can treat atrophic scars at home with over-the-counter products, or go to a dermatologist to diminish the appearance through cosmetic procedures.

Things You'll Need

• Sunscreen
• Vitamin E oil
• Scar-concealing makeup
• Microdermabrasion kit
• Dermatologist

Instructions

1. Wear sunscreen to protect the indented scar from ultraviolet rays that can cause discolorations. Apply vitamin E, a topical scar gel or silicone scar patches for up to 12 weeks to reduce redness, thickness and to soften the texture. Cover indented scars with a scar-concealing makeup.

2. Exfoliate the indented scar and surrounding skin with an at-home microdermabrasion kit to remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin. This can reduce the appearance of shallow scars and associated discoloration. Microdermabrasion implements a gritty facial scrub made of particles, such as crystals or sand, and a mechanical resurfacing tool that rubs the scrub against the skin. This exfoliates the skin to reduce the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation.

3. Visit a dermatologist to gain information regarding potential treatments and surgeries to remove the indented scar. Ask the dermatologist which procedure to use based on the size, discoloration and depth of your scar. Dermabrasion and chemical peels are typically options for treating surface or shallow scars. Deeper scars may require laser resurfacing, repeated collagen fillers or surgical removal.

References

• Texas Face: Scars and Wound Healing
• Skin Lightening Treatment: Scar Removal Treatment: 5 Ways to Reduce the Appearance of Scars
• Doc Shop: Scars
• Mayo Clinic: Cosmetic Surgery