How do you treat a scar dent?

Author: Dr. Preston Kulas  |  Last update: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Scar Treatments
  1. Topical treatments: medicated gels and creams, sometimes used with compression bandages to help flatten scars.
  2. Injections: to fill scars that appear as “dents” or hollowed-out areas in the skin.
  3. Skin smoothing procedures such as dermabrasion and chemical peels.

Can indented scars be fixed?

The filler of choice for filling indented scars is generally a biostimulator to lay down a new layer of fresh collagenous tissue that will continue stimulating your body to create new collagen. Radiesse® and Sculptra® are examples of fillers used to treat acne and other depressed scars.

How to get rid of a dented scar?

Laser therapy stands at the forefront of indented scar treatment, offering precise and targeted results. Two primary approaches include: Fractional Ablative Laser: Removes damaged skin layers while stimulating natural collagen production. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL): Addresses both scar texture and discoloration.

Why does my scar look like a dent?

Depressed (atrophic): These sunken scars often result from chickenpox or acne. They look like rounded pits or small indentations in the skin. Also called ice pick scars, they develop most often on the face. Acne scars may become more noticeable as you age because the skin loses collagen and elasticity over time.

Why does my scar look indented?

Atrophic scars.

These are indented scars that happen when your skin heals below the normal layer of skin due to a lack of tissue. They're common in cases of severe acne or chickenpox.

SCARS and How to Treat Them like a Dermatologist | Doctorly Breakdown

How do you get rid of indented scars at home?

Natural remedies
  1. black seed oil, which may help even out skin pigmentation.
  2. rosehip oil, which helps reduce discoloration in postsurgical scars.
  3. honey, which may help wound healing and reduce future scarring.
  4. aloe vera, which, combined with manuka honey, may promote scar-free healing of wounds.

What does sunken scars mean?

An atrophic scar takes the form of a sunken recess in the skin, which has a pitted appearance. These are caused when underlying structures supporting the skin, such as fat or muscle, are lost.

What is a scar that looks like a crater?

Boxcar scars appear as craters in the skin and can develop as a result of acne or chickenpox. Treatments are available to reduce their appearance, such as dermarolling, microdermabrasion, and surgery. Boxcar scars are also known as craters or pockmarks.

When is it too late to massage scar tissue?

For best results, you should perform scar massage for at least 10 minutes, twice a day, for six months. You should only stop sooner than that if the scar starts showing signs of infection or you experience intolerable discomfort.

Does retinol help with indented scars?

Retinol is also found in many acne scar treatment products because it promotes new skin cell growth and helps even out skin texture and skin tone — all of which can help reduce the appearance of newer, red acne scars and older scars.

Do skin dents go away?

Pockmarks are deep scars on the skin that do not usually go away on their own. They are often caused by severe acne but can also be the result of skin infections or chickenpox. There are a number of treatments and home remedies that may help reduce the appearance of the scars and improve the look and feel of the skin.

Does massage help indented scars?

Scar massage is a way of softening and flattening scars. It can stop scar tissue build up and help make scars less noticeable. Your scar or scars will continue to grow and change for about twelve to eighteen months, so the earlier and more regularly you massage your scar, the less the chance of long-term problems.

What is the best filler for indented scars?

While Bellafill is the only FDA approved injectable filler for the long-term correction of acne scars, other fillers such as Juvederm, Radiesse, Belotereo, Retylane or Sculptra may be used. These typically will need to be injected every few months to maintain their effect.

Does vitamin C help indented scars?

And vitamin C is a key player when it comes to creating collagen. Even though collagen and wounds are usually discussed in the context of repairing fresh injuries, since collagen helps make healthy tissue, it can impact older scars as well and improve their appearance.

Can you heal an indented scar?

Atrophic scars rarely go away completely, but with the help of a dermatology provider, you may be able to successfully reduce their appearance. While some at-home treatments may be marginally effective, to truly address these scars, you'll need in-office treatment from a dermatology provider.

Why is my scar sunken?

Depressed scar

Sunken scars can become more noticeable as you age. This happens when the skin relaxes and sags, causing the depressions to become more noticeable. You're more likely to develop depressed scars after chickenpox or severe acne clears.

Why are my scars indented?

An atrophic scar develops when the skin cannot regenerate tissue correctly. Unlike keloids and hypertrophic scars, atrophic scars are indented in appearance due to healing that occurs below the expected layer of skin.

How to fix indentation on skin?

Tips to smooth out indents in skin
  1. Use a retinol product or a prescription retinoid. ...
  2. Wear sunscreen every single day—rain or shine. ...
  3. Schedule a professional chemical peel. ...
  4. Get injectable fillers, if needed. ...
  5. For severe indents in the skin from scarring, consider ablative laser resurfacing. ...
  6. Consider gaining weight.

How do you make dents go away?

Treatment for the Bends

The diver will need high-flow oxygen and IV fluids. Blood and urine will be sent for laboratory tests to assess any blood clotting problems and hydration status. The diver will likely need to go to a hyperbaric chamber for recompression.

How to get rid of crater scars?

Treating Boxcar Scars
  1. Microneedling. Like chemical peels and dermabrasion, microneedling damages the skin in the scar. ...
  2. Fillers. A filler is an injection that literally fills out the indented part of the scar. ...
  3. Laser therapy. ...
  4. Punch excision.

How do you plump up indented scars?

Soft tissue fillers.

Injecting collagen, fat or other substances under the skin can plump the skin over indented scars. The goal is to make the scars less noticeable. Results are temporary, so repeat treatments are needed to retain the effect.

What is an indented scar called?

When a wound to the skin heals without enough collagen produced, it can leave behind an indent in the skin. This is called an atrophic scar, which comes in many varieties.

What causes a scar to sink?

Atrophic scars: This type of scar is generally the result of losing muscle or fat from an of the body, causing the skin to sink. Acne scarring or surgical scars are examples of these.

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