Scar creams will have directions to follow that will also state the length of recommended use, which can range from a few weeks to several months. What’s the best way to heal a scar? We tested the Aroamas Scar Professional Silicone Scar Sheets on a four-year-old scar on our face where the skin was damaged enough to prohibit hair growth in that area. While it was a little awkward to cut the sheets down to the appropriate size for a facial scar (and we couldn’t leave the sheets on 24/7, as recommended) we were still impressed with the results we saw.

Park G, et al. (2008). Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate suppresses collagen production and proliferation in keloid fibroblasts via inhibition of the STAT3-signaling pathway. At first, many scars will be raised above the skin but some will flatten out over time, creating a flat scar that often blends in with the color of your skin. People often don’t feel the need to treat these scars since they are already flush with their skin, but if you want your scar to blend in better with your skin color, a treatment containing allantoin or onion extract may affect the pigmentation of your scar. Stretch Marks Even though we only used the sheets at night, the scar lightened a bit in color and improved in texture. In fact, the scar flattened and smoothed out enough that hair began growing again over the scar for the first time in years.

Pharmacy product

Draelos ZD, et al. (2012). A new proprietary onion extract gel improves the appearance of new scars. Kelo-Cote is effective at reducing the appearance of different types of scars that are less than 4 years old: Throughout the lab testing phase and our research, we also relied on the expertise of several dermatologists and plastic surgeons, both in the Lab phase of our testing and during the research process: It’s pretty rare to reach adulthood without a scar, and many of us continue to collect battle scars over the years. Injuries, surgery and skin problems leave shiny lines, dents and lumps in our skin, while scars such as stretch marks and dark spots are an almost inevitable part of ageing. You may assume that all these scars are permanent, but the best scar creams and gels can fade and shrink them, including the scars you’ve had for years. https://journals.lww.com/annalsplasticsurgery/Abstract/2016/07000/Topical_Application_of_Aloe_vera_Accelerated_Wound.9.aspx

Because the scar we tested with these sheets was more than four years old, we were impressed when they improved both the pigmentation and texture of the scar—especially since we only wore the sheets at night while we slept. However, it was pretty uncomfortable for us to keep them on for the recommended 24 hours a day, so keep that in mind. There are several different types of scars, says Dr. Rapaport, and you should figure out which kind you have before choosing a treatment. This may be achieved and supported by various ingredients, including medical-grade silicone. Some scar creams also contain ingredients that help brighten the skin and reduce the appearance of discoloration. How long does it take for scar cream to work?Silicone gel is a medical-grade scar treatment that you can buy over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies or online without a prescription. It can be extremely effective in shrinking raised scars, including large keloid and hypertrophic scars; evening out deep scars, such as acne pits; and reducing pigmentation. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, i.e. it can be dissolved in fats and oils. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cell membranes against damage caused by free radicals (as a result of pollution or solar ultraviolet radiation) and therefore helps to prevent skin aging. We tested the RejûvaSil Silicone Scar Gel on two flat scars—one about two years old and one only three months old. The goal in treating both of these scars was to lighten their pigmentation since neither was raised at the start of our testing. While we saw a noticeable difference in the older scar, noting that it faded nicely to the point of mostly blending in with our skin, we didn’t see the same kind of results with the newer scar. For some people, scars, including surgery scars, reduce or fade on their own if left alone and without any special attention. Scars need different kinds of attention Keloid Scars - Overgrowth of itchy, painful scar tissue caused by the overproduction of collagen that continues to develop and extend after the wound has healed.

You may get the best results if you start treating scars at home early in the healing process. However, you should never use scar cream on an unhealed or open wound. Once the wound has completely healed, you can start using scar cream. What scar cream do plastic surgeons recommend? Atrophic scarring is sometimes referred to as pitted skin. This type of scar typically looks like an indented hole, or pit. Moisturisers are extremely useful for limiting the size and appearance of new scars. There are several types, all helpful for keeping the skin hydrated and elastic once the initial wound has healed:

The Best Scar Treatment Overall

The susceptibility of skin to form certain types of scars, such as keloids, may have a genetic link. Your age may also affect the severity of your scars. Some scars do well with scar creams Keloid scars are formed from excess collagen that is produced after an initial wound, such as a burn, deep cut, or infected ear piercing, has healed. In some instances, keloid scars may not appear for several months after the initial wound occurred. Depending on the type of product you choose, you may need to look out for allergic reactions. Open skin is more sensitive to allergens, says Melanie Palm, MD, a dermatologist at Art of Skin MD. She adds that while silicone-based products are unlikely to cause a reaction, some OTC treatments contain other ingredients that increase the likelihood of a reaction. Look for effective ingredients: Consider products with ingredients that have been shown to be effective at reducing the appearance of scars. These include: