How does scar cream work

Erin Gilbert, MD, PhD to find out the efficacy of scar creams and other methods for minimizing the appearance of scars. According to Dr. Gilbert, scars are the result of collagen fiber regrowth after a skin injury.

As Dr. Silicone also works to flatten and fade scars by hydrating the tissue. Other ingredients to look for are vitamin E oil and allantoin, which also soften the skin. To reduce the appearance of scars, creams and other products hydrate and smooth the area, reducing redness and evening out the skin. Before we dive into some of our most popular scar creams and treatments, remember to always protect the scarred area from the sun with sunscreen or protective clothing as, Dr.

Apply to clean and dry, fully healed skin to effectively repair the area. Turns out hydration may be more important than an onion bath: As a wound heals, the skin can lose water, sending good fibroblasts into overdrive and creating a raised scar. In addition to drawing water into the skin, lecithin works to prevent water evaporation by forming a fatty barrier over the skin's surface.

Keeping tubes of gel meant for sensitive skin free of bugs and mold is important. That's where these two preservatives come in. Methylparaben gets a bad rap for overblown cancer risks, but it's true that medium-wave UV light converts it into radicals and ketenes, highly reactive molecules that could damage the outermost layer of skin. Try out PMC Labs and tell us what you think. Learn More. Topical self drying silicone gel is a relatively recent treatment modality promoted as an alternative to topical silicone gel sheeting.

Thirty patients with scars of different types including superficial scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids were treated with silicon gel application. The results of the self-drying silicone gel have been satisfactory. Scars vary greatly in quality, depending on individual and racial patient features, the nature of the trauma, and the conditions of wound healing.

Other psychological sequelae include posttraumatic stress reactions, loss of self esteem and stigmatization leading to a diminished quality of life. Scar contractures also can determine disabling physical deformities. This study was undertaken to verify the efficacy of a new topical silicone treatment; a self-drying spreadable gel that needs no means of fixation and cannot be seen because of complete transparency.

Silicone gel contains long chain silicone polymer polysiloxanes , silicone dioxide and volatile component. Long chain silicone polymers cross link with silicone dioxide. It spreads as an ultra thin sheet and works 24 hours per day. It increases hydration of stratum corneum and thereby facilitates regulation of fibroblast production and reduction in collagen production.

It results into softer and flatter scar. It allows skin to "breathe". It protects the scarred tissue from bacterial invasion and prevents bacteria-induced excessive collagen production in the scar tissue. Balance of fibrogenesis and fibrolysis is ultimately restored. The advantages of silicon gel include easy administration, even for sensitive skin and in children. It can be applied for any irregular skin or scar surfaces, the face, moving parts joints and flexures and any size of scars.

A tube of 15 gram contains enough silicone gel to treat inches 7. The study enrolled 30 patients having scars. Written informed consent was taken from all the patients before the study. Also, prior approval of hospital ethical committee was taken before the study. The silicone gel was applied as a thin film twice a day.

It was rubbed with fingertips for minutes. For fresh scars, treatment was started just days after wound closure or after days. The scars were evaluated at monthly intervals. The appearance of scar, including scar type, scar size and scar color was assessed by the physician. We classified hypertrophic scar as a red or dark pink, raised elevated sometimes itchy scar confined within the border of the original surgical incision, with spontaneous regression after several months and a generally poor final appearance.

A keloid is instead classified as a scar red to brown in colour, very elevated, larger than the wound margins very hard and sometimes painful or pruritic with no spontaneous regression. Patients were observed and the results were compared at monthly follow up examinations. Follow up was done for 6 months. However, she does recommend that her patients with scars use an ointment or petrolatum-based moisturizer on the area two or three times a day for months at a time either right after it forms or whenever you start using them as well as practice pristine sun safety by either covering the area or using sunscreen to avoid darkening the scar any more.

Your dermatologist can also use things like laser treatments or corticosteroid injections to help the healing process along, which are especially useful in the case of keloid scars. They might also prescribe a topical steroid or retinoid to reduce the appearance of your scars. In fact, it could take months to years for scars to look less noticeable, Dr. Just as with so many other things about your skin, how quickly and effectively your scars heal will vary a lot from person to person.