No, vitamin E does NOT improve scars. There is no scientific evidence confirming this claim. In fact, some studies do demonstrate vitamin E may cause skin irritation which actually worsen scarring. Anecdotal reports also mention widened scars after using vitamin e topically.

In this study (The Effects of Topical Vitamin E on the Cosmetic Appearance of Scars) the researchers concluded:

This study shows that there is no benefit to the cosmetic outcome of scars by applying vitamin E after skin surgery and that the application of topical vitamin E may actually be detrimental to the cosmetic appearance of a scar.

In 90% of the cases in this study, topical vitamin E either had no effect on, or actually worsened, the cosmetic appearance of scars.

So if vitamin E doesn’t work, what should we use?

The only proven effective scar treatment product you can use at home are Silicone Scar Treatment Sheets . (links to Amazon, read the reviews to learn how they can help you improve your scar tissue)

There are various studies demonstrating the benefits of silicone gel scar sheets. Here’s one published by Archives of Surgery.

Important to remark is that this modality does not work on all types of scars. Burn scars, discolored, and raised scars are known to improve. In some cases keloid scars may also be repulsed by silicones. Such scar tissue will become flat, softer, more pliable, and discolorations will tone down. Also itch and pain will be reduced.

Silicones have been used since the 1960′s in burn centers and hospitals. Only the last decades they have become available on the consumer market. Many people are still not aware of the existence (let alone effectiveness) of silicone sheeting for scars. Among those who are unaware of the benefits of silicones are not only consumers but also medical personnel. It’s a sad fact that many doctors, but even dermatologists, and plastic and cosmetic surgeons are not aware of the clinical proof that backs the use of silicones for scars.

For depressed scars silicones will not be the most appropriate treatment. These types of scar tissue will most likely be treated with fillers, dermarolling (needling), and collagen injections.

Leif Parsons

The use of topical vitamin E for scars is probably the most popular home treatment. There’s an overwhelming amount of anecdotal proof. Take a look at any forum, website, or other source where scar treatment questions are answered and there’s a big chance someone states vitamin E to be the best option to treat a scar. However, there’s no scientific proof confirming this statement.

A few studies on this matter have been conducted the past years. This particular study among 159 test persons, of which the report was published in The Journal of Burn Care and Rehabilitation in 1986 demonstrated that;

“Those in the vitamin E group showed no noticeable improvement in the size, thickness or appearance of their scars by the end of the study.

The conclusion of a more recent study (1999) conducted by the University of Miami stated that:

“This study shows that there is no benefit to the cosmetic outcome of scars by applying vitamin E after skin surgery and that the application of topical vitamin E may actually be detrimental to the cosmetic appearance of a scar.

In 90% of the cases in this study, topical vitamin E either had no effect on, or actually worsened, the cosmetic appearance of scars. Of the patients studied, 33% developed a contact dermatitis to the vitamin E. Therefore we conclude that use of topical vitamin E on surgical wounds should be discouraged.”

That’s why, despite the many positive reviews, the topical use of vitamin E on scars is discouraged. Alternatives are moisturizing agents (such as Vaseline) and silicone gel. More on silicone scar treatment.

How a scar will eventually fade depends on a lot of things. Each person is unique and subsequently are his or her skin type, genetics, habits, health etc. These factors all influence how the result of scar treatment will be. Here’s a list of some scar treatment questions:



Will scars fade over time?
Yes the appearance of most scars will improve in time. Depending on the type of scar this takes about a year to two years. However in some cases
scars might become problematic. There’s always the risk of a scar becoming hypertrophic or keloid. These risks can be reduced, and these scars can ber
treated with silicone gel strips and ointments (link).



How long do scars stay red?
The redness is (partially) caused by blood flowing through the tissue. This indicates healing activity. Commonly scars stay red for several months but this varies from person to person.



Will my scar eventually go away?
No, scars will never disappear completely but some scars can improve to such an extent that they are hardly noticeable. This depends on the type of injury, location on the body, skin type, and other factors. (a scar on my cheek from a cut wound by a knife was surgically closed with 5 staples and now is virtually invisible.)



My scar itches, what can I do?
Check out this post on scar itch relief.



How should I treat my scar?
There are several things you can do. Check out the tips page for more info.



When can I start treating my scar?
As soon as the wound has closed but not before. However, proper wound care is an important factor in optimizing scar treatment. A well treated wound is far more likely to result in less scar tissue. A distinction should be made between wound and scar treatment.



Should I keep my scar out of the sun?
Yes it’s important to protect scars from sunlight radiation as long as they aren’t mature. Mature scars commonly are white, flat lines. Sun radiation will worsen the scar so protect it by wearing a sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher).



Should I use vitamin E oil e.g. from capsules on my scar?
Studies have shown the use of vitamin E on scars does not improve them. In fact in one third of the cases this caused the scars to worsen. That’s why many dermatologists and experts disencourage the use of vitamin E oil on scars.



Do Aloe Vera and Cocoa butter help my scar fade?
Many people consider these to be effective scar treatments but there’s no scientific evidence they add to an effective scar treatment. This misconception is probably fed by the fact that most scar improve automatically over time. This improvement is then described to the use of Aloe vera or Cocoa butter.



I can’t seem to find Neosporin Scar Solution, where can I buy it?
This product has been removed from the market and later on been reintroduced as ScarAway. ScarAway is sold by Wallgreens and online by Amazon and Drugstore.com.



Is it better to use silicone strips first before having laser or surgical treatment?
Yes it is recommended to make use of non-invasive treatments first. This because invasive treatments such as laser scar therapy, surgical scar
revision, and steroid injections include the risk of side effects which might worsen the scar, whereas the non-invasive treatments do not.



Wearing the silicone gel strips makes my scar and surrounding skin all soft, white, pruny, and wrinkled, like after taking a long bath. How is this possible?
This might have to do with the fact that some silicone scar strip brands are not breathable. This effect is called skin maceration and occurs when it is consistently wet. This is not desired because the skin can easily get infected with bacteria or fungi.

On my Squidoo lens on silicone scar treatment I regularly get questions from visitors. Check it out for more scar treatment questions and answers or ask your question below.

The c section scar is the result of the vertical incision made during the surgical procedure and is approximately 4-6 inches long. How wide it is depends on how well it is treated, how healthy someone lives, genetics, and how well the wound heals. The scar is located on the lowest part of the tummy, just above the pubic bone. Because of its location it is mostly covered by underwear or clothes. Here are some c-section scar photos.



I stumbled upon this question on Yahoo Answers about c-section scar treatment and the answers given point out how many misconceptions about scar healing (in general) exist.

The question:

“I had a C-section 6 weeks ago and the scar is red and puffed up. Does anyone recommend a scar treatment for it? and when should I start applying the scar treatment?”

In the answers many of the common, so called effective, scar treatments are mentioned but a really truthful and helpful answer isn’t there. Yes, of course scar tissue improves over time as mentioned by one of the answerers. But no, Mederma is not a proven effective remedy actually. Studies show it works just as good, or even slightly less effective, as Vaseline.

Why so many people swear such products work for them possibly has to do with the massaging of the scar, improved blood circulation, and hydration. Regarding vitamin E capsules, better leave those where they are, or use them where they are intended for but do not use them topically. Studies have shown rubbing vitamin e into scars can make their appearance worse and cause skin reactions.



Wound Care vs Scar Treatment
Also the remark that the wound shouldn’t be treated until it’s fully healed should be clarified. In fact, optimal scar healing actually starts with proper wound treatment and if done well this can really make a difference. When speeded healing occurs and problematic aspects such as inflammation and infections are avoided the chances on developing more prominent scar tissue are decreased. The other way round; wounds that are not kept clean and looked after are prone to poor scar healing. Always consult your surgeon about the fastest way to heal open wounds. Tip: ask your medic about Medihoney wound dressings.

But the person giving this advice has a point. A clear distinction should be made between wound care and scar treatment. Scar healing remedies of a c-section scar should never be started before the incision wound has healed and closed.

The Best C-Section Scar Treatment
In this particular case, where this woman’s c-section scar is red and puffed up silicone strips can be a practical solution. It it is true that many scars, especially those resulting from surgery, can be red, bumpy, and look awful but eventually will improve. But silicone strips, which are in many cases FDA Class 1 Medical Devices, do not only improve the scar appearance, they also reduce or take away itchiness and pain. On top of that they reduce the chance on developing hypertrophic (red and raised) and keloid c-section scars. (keloids are scars that grow beyond the normal wound boundaries.)

Here’s a short review:

“The patches are called scaraway and are silicone sheets. I used them for my c-section scar and am VERY pleased. (My friends scar got red and bumpy..mine healed flat and pretty thin and is regular skin color now).. They adherer to your skin without tape (but they are not sticky like bandaids)..hard to explain..I hardly noticed they were on me…hope that helps”

Scar Pain and Massage
Some women experience pain in their c-section scar. This can vary from tingling to real pain as well as a numb feeling. Where some women loose sensitivity on the skin located around the scar tissue others experience extra sensitivity. Sometimes scar contractions can cause pain and discomfort. This can be solved by massaging the scar tissue because massage loosens the tissue, boosts circulation and thus makes the tissue softer.



C-Section Scars and Compression
Next to silicone strips compression is another scar healing therapy for which clinical evidence exists it actually works (although in lesser amount). Some women use compression belts also called C-Section compression bindersfor extra comfort, pain reduction and faster wound and scar healing. (Also scars seem to benefit from compression.)

Always avoid exposing your c-section scar to direct sunlight or use a high SPF sunscreen. Also when wearing thin clothes because many fabrics do not prevent the sun radiation from coming through.

Many widespread over the counter scar treatment products are incorrectly thought to be effective. Questions of people asking scar treatment advice online are regularly answered with the same false statements. Cordial replies such as; “rub it  in with Vitamin E capsules” or “Mederma works really great”. Fact is that scars improve over time and the common denominator in these approaches is scar massage. Whether someone uses cream X or Y, their scar will probably improve on itself. Probably thanks to time passing and the effects of massaging the scar tissue but not as a result of these products. When determining which product really works it’s best to focus on scientific research like clinical trials and other studies.

Such studies show DIY treatments like the topical use of vitamin E, the use of scar creams based on vitamin E or onion extract like Mederma don’t work. Various studies do show onion extract gel did not improve scar appearance when compared with a petrolatum-based ointment.

Clinical trials illustrate that vitamin E provides no more effect than other emollient-type ointments, and hydration appears to be its only beneficial effect. Furthermore, topical vitamin E may actually cause more harm than good, possibly worsening a scar’s appearance and causing contact dermatitis (red rash), and other skin irritations in a large percentage of patients. That’s why many experts disencourage the topical use of vitamin E capsules.

Studies on the effects of onion extract, active ingredient in Mederma scar cream, on scar appearance have shown no benefits. Onion extract based ointments did not show to be advantageous over petroleum gel (Vaseline). A leading dermatology website advices medical professionals to tell their patients that using this product will likely not cause any harm but will not lead to an improvement either.

Also cocoa butter, cucumber butter, lime juice, Aloe Vera, skin remodeling copper peptides are used regularly. A scientific approach however, shows these over the counter products are not effective at all or no research has been done yet. (On Lime, cucumber and lemon juice and cocoa butter are no studies done). Information on products that do work here.