Maximizing Your Scar Cream's Results

Do your research before you spend the money. If you can, check the medical literature. While virtually all scar products make amazing claims, very few have any scientific evidence to back these up. Most people are left disappointed when the results fall well short of their expectations.

Vitamin E, for example, is found in many scar products. Multiple scientific and clinical studies have shown that vitamin E does not help get rid of scars. In up to 90% of cases, vitamin E either fails to improve, or even worsens the appearance of scars. To add insult to injury, 1 in 3 people also find themselves being allergic to it. Contact allergy to vitamin E can cause redness, itching, swelling and flaking. Because of this, vitamin E is not the vitamin of choice for scar treatment and should be avoided.

Another common ingredient is onion extract. Here again, many studies have found this to be ineffective as a scar treatment and no better than plain petroleum jelly.

One vitamin that HAS been shown to improve scar healing is vitamin C which normalizes collagen production within the scar tissue. Scientific studies have also shown repeatedly that silicone scar therapy, either in the form of gel or sheeting, helps fade and soften scars. Silicone is the topical treatment that all others are measured against.

Most skin care products (including scar creams) contain water which encourages bacterial growth after the product container is opened and the cream is contaminated. There are about 50 approved preservatives to keep products "bacteria-free", but the market is dominated by just a handful: parabens, formaldehyde, metylchloroisothiazolinone, and methylisothiazolinone. This is bad news, since these chemicals are among the most irritating preservatives. About 6% of people have a contact allergy to preservatives and fragrances. Allergies to formaldehyde are as high as 9%.

It is important to keep your fresh wounds and new scars clean to optimize healing. It's fine to get wounds wet as long as you use clean water and a non-irritating soap like Dial. Pat the area dry before covering with a fresh dressing. Peroxide is fine to use to cleanse a dirty wound when it first happens but it should not be used after that - it's great at killing germ but also damages healthy skin cells needed for healing.

Start using your scar treatment as soon as initial skin healing has occurred. If it's a surgical scar, start as soon as the sutures are removed. Even the best scar treatments take time to improve scars so it is important you keep using your therapy of choice until you stop seeing an improvement. It is also important to realize scars continue to improve and "mature" for up to 2 years after the skin injury. It is during these first 2 years that you'll get the biggest "bang for your buck" from your treatment.

Sun block is crucial for protecting newer scars. Prolonged sun exposure can cause progressive and permanent redness. Fresh scars repeatedly exposed to the sun can also turn very dark. Protection from the sun should continue at least until the scar is 2 years old. Once scars are over 2 years old, color changes are much less likely with sun exposure.

Lastly, scar massage is also very important which is why most plastic surgeons recommend it. Massage your scar cream into your scar firmly for the best results. Firm massage helps break up scar tissue and will lead to a softer, flatter scar.
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon with a special interest in scar healing and safe scar cream ingredients. He is Chief Science Officer for InviCible Scars Advanced Scar Treatment, a hypo-allergenic, safe scar therapy 100% free of preservatives, fragrances, petroleum and alcohol.