Pockmarks

Pockmarks are small, crater-like indentations that can occur in two distinct contexts: on the skin and on the seabed. In dermatology, they refer to depressed scars left after inflammatory skin diseases such as chickenpox, acne, or historically smallpox. They vary in depth and shape and are most noticeable on the face, where they can persist for years.

Causes and appearance: Skin pockmarks result when inflammatory lesions heal with tissue loss, leaving pits. In chickenpox or varicella, widespread vesicles can rupture and ulcerate, producing pitted scarring. In acne, severe inflammation can similarly damage dermal tissue. Pockmarks are usually permanent but vary in depth; they commonly appear on the face and cheeks.

Treatment and prognosis: Many pockmarks are permanent, but cosmetic procedures can improve appearance. Options include laser resurfacing (fractional or CO2/Erbium), dermabrasion, chemical peels, punch excision or grafting for deep scars, microneedling, and dermal fillers to raise depressed areas. Results vary with scar depth, skin type, and age; multiple sessions are often required. Prevention includes early treatment of varicella and acne management; vaccination against chickenpox reduces the risk of scarring.

Geology: On the seafloor, pockmarks are circular to elliptical depressions formed by the escape of gas and fluids from sediments, often methane. They range from a few meters to tens of meters across and can be several meters deep. Pockmarks indicate gas seepage and can affect seabed ecology and the stability of underwater structures. They are mapped by sonar and studied to understand methane dynamics and geological hazards.