When the skin is damaged, scar tissue is created to repair the injury. In some cases, not enough scar tissue is generated, leaving an indent in the skin. These are called atrophic scars, and they are commonly caused by skin conditions like acne or chicken pox. They can also be left behind after a mole or skin lesion is removed. Many atrophic scars occur on the face, especially the cheeks, making them very noticeable. Dr. Aviva Preminger is a top plastic surgeon in NYC who offers atrophic scar removal at her clinic on the Upper East Side.
Indented scars change the texture of the skin and are difficult to hide. While red or dark-colored scars can be covered with makeup, atrophic scars are not easily concealed. There are options to reduce the appearance of ice pick or boxcar scars on the face, such as dermal filler injections, but these are temporary solutions. For permanent atrophic scar removal, it may require resurfacing the skin or surgical scar revision, depending on the severity of the indented scar.
Treatments for Indented Scars
Atrophic scars can occur when not enough collagen is available to create the scar tissue. For smaller indented scars like acne scars, stimulating collagen production and resurfacing the skin can be an effective treatment. At Aviva Preminger, M.D. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, we offer laser skin resurfacing, chemical peels and Fractora treatments that can strip the dead and damaged skin cells off the surface and stimulate collagen production in the skin. This can reveal a smoother, even texture to minimize the appearance of acne or other smaller atrophic scars.
For deeper, more pronounced atrophic scars, surgical scar revision may be required. The skin and tissue may need to be replaced to fill in the lost tissue. Skin grafting can be an effective repair and revision for severe atrophic scars, restoring the even appearance of the skin.
Dr. Aviva Preminger is a board certified plastic surgeon who has years of experience helping improve the appearance of her patients. If you have noticeable atrophic scars that you want removed or improved, contact Dr. Preminger’s office in Manhattan. Our team can schedule a scar revision consultation with Dr. Preminger to discuss the best treatment options for your scars.