Here’s a list of all the available silicone gel scar creams (or at least the ones I am aware of).

There are many brands to choose from. Some contain 100% silicones while others are made of a mix of ingredients. This post is not about which cream is the best. It’s only an overview of what’s available on the consumer market.

I will review some of these products later on. Some have links to my review behind them.

Creams in this list that are not available on Amazon (see below) are linked to online stores that do sell them.

• ScarAway 100% Silicone Gel Serum
• Kelo-cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel
• Scar Esthetique Healing & Reduction Cream (w/Silicone, Arnica, Antioxidants, Copper Peptides, Co-Q10,
• ScarGuard MD ScarGuard Scar Care (read my review)
• Rejuvasil (read my review )
• Pro-Sil Roll-On Scar Reduction Stick (by Biodermis)
• Scarsil Scars
• Cimeosil Scar Gel
• Sudden Change Scar Zone Topical Scar Diminishing Cream
• Xeragel 100% silicone ointment (by Biodermis)
• Dermatix Ultra (May be a few bucks cheaper here than on Amazon.)
• Spectragel (polysiloxane)
• Scarprin
• Zeraderm (not available in the U.S)

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Before silicone sheeting became widespread, pressure therapy has been the appropriate method to treat (burn) scars.

During the nineteenth century the use of pressure in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars or keloids became popular.

Compression garments, made from elasticized fabric shaped as sleeves, gloves, or masks, became standard treatment modalities in burn centers and other health care institutions.

Nowadays compression garments are still commonly used. For example after (cosmetic) surgery. This because of the specific benefits of these garments.

Benefits of the pressure applied are;

• improved blood circulation,
• minimized swelling after the procedure,
• drainage of potentially harmful fluids,
• acceleration of the healing process,
• and prevention of problematic scar development.

So How Do Compression Garments Work?

• The mechanism of pressure therapy has to do with the fact that in case of (burn) scars the top layer of the skin is missing. Therefore it can’t put pressure on the skin as healthy skin would do and this is what may lead to hypertrophic and keloid scarring.
• Another probable benefit of post surgery compression garments is that the pressure applied on the scar protects the tissue from overstretching. This reduced tension on the healing tissue prevents scars from widening (or thickening).  For the same reason scar taping is sometimes administered.
• Furthermore, pressure may theoretically break up excessive scar tissue (collagen bundles) and soften the keloid mass however, therapy must be instituted for long periods (>23 h/d for 6 mo) before significant effects can be achieved.
• When used following a facial procedure, the compression garment also provides support to surgical areas for more comfort and helps the skin fit better to it new contours.

Used When?
Plastic surgery compression garments are available for most  types of cosmetic surgery and for every part of the body (face, upper body, mid body, lower body, chest, abdomen, arms, back, shoulders, thighs, legs, calves, and all other body areas).

There are several online stores who offer these garments.

Makemeheal for example, offers a wide range of medical grade garments for various procedures. (The term medical grade refers to the fact that these are high quality post-operative, medical compression garments which are specifically designed to be worn for long time periods during the recovery process from a cosmetic surgery.)

Examples of cosmetic surgeries after which pressure garments are used are; breast surgery, face lifts, buttock surgery, arm, thigh lift, liposuction and other weight loss procedures.

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There’s a plethora of commercially available home remedies for scars. Think about scar creams based on vitamin E or onion extract like Mederma, Bio Oil, cocoa butter, Aloe Vera, cucumber butter, lime juice, skin remodeling copper peptides and so on.


The superabundance of positive online reviews and upbeat testimonials would indicate these remedies to be helpful in the struggle to reduce scars.


However, considered from a scientific perspective, there’s only one type of home remedy that is proven effective. With proven effective I mean backed by science.



Silicone Gel Sheeting
This is the type of home remedy I am talking about: silicones for scars. Several clinical trials and other studies [1],[2] have demonstrated that silicone gel sheeting prevents the development of problematic scars. It has also shown to be an effective home remedy for keloid and hypertrophic scars.




Silicone gel sheets significantly and clinically improved the appearance of scars. More specific; this remedy makes red, raised, stiff scars more skin colored, softer, pliable, and flat. Also the anti-itch and pain reducing abilities have been proven by studies. It will not surprise that silicone sheets, recommended by many plastic surgeons, burn centers and dermatologists, are called ‘the golden standard in scar treatment’. However early treatment is ideal, silicone gel sheets may also be beneficial for older scars



Medical grade honey for wound care
Wound healing, which can be a of major influence on scarring, can get a real boost when wound care products based on medical-grade honey are used.

A review in which 22 clinical trials were evaluated concluded that honey minimizes scarring, removes infected and dead tissue and speeds healing by stimulating new tissue growth. Some researchers even suspect this type of honey to have beneficial effects when applied directly on scars but at present there’s no research done.

A 1996 preliminary study from India showed that burns treated with honey healed sooner than those treated with conventional methods (petrolatum and gauze) and that scarring was reduced. (6.2% of the 450 patients treated ended up with scars compared to 19.7% of the same number of patients who received conventional treatment)



Conclusion
When we rely on medical science we can conclude that the best home remedies for scars are silicone gel sheets (or gels) and, in case of wound care, medical grade honey dressings. Recently, FDA approved medical grade honey dressings have become available on the consumer market.

More on how silicone gel sheeting works. The best brands to buy, and Medihoney wound care products.

[1] Topical treatments for hypertrophic scars Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology – Volume 55, Issue 6 (December 2006)
[2] Evolution of Silicone Therapy and Mechanism of Action in Scar Management by Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe Aesth Plast Surg (2008) 32:82–92 link (.pdf)

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This may sound unbelievable but just like salamanders are able to grow back their tails medical science is now capable of growing back fingertips and other tissue. Several cases have demonstrated tissue regeneration in human beings.

Here’s a short Youtube video about how doctors were able to regrow the severed top part of a little boy’s thumb with the use of wound tissue regeneration.

Acell, the manufacturer of innovative tissue regeneration products (MatriStem) states that their products “promote cell development and regeneration of site specific tissue, may recruit adult progenitor cells, and reduce scarring and restore tissue to its normal state and function.”

Progenitor cells (like stem cells) have a tendency to differentiate into a specific type of cell. In contrast to stem cells, however, they are already far more specific because they have the ability to differentiate into site specific tissues such as muscle, skin, tendons, and bone.

Commonly two types of tissue regenerative agents are used. Wound powder and biodegradable scaffolds which are matrix structured dressings which foster the regeneration of new tissue that resembles the original tissue in structure and function.

According to the wound healing page on Wikipedia: “biodegradable scaffolds inhibit wound contraction, thereby allowing the healing process to proceed towards a more-regenerative/less-scarring pathway.”

Problematic wounds such as diabetic, venous, arterial, and pressure ulcers, traumatic wounds, first and second degree burns, and surgical wounds can benefit from this fairly new type of treatment.

Since they are said to reduce scarring and even prevent scars from developing, as impossible as it sounds, patients might want to ask their surgeon, dermatologist, or other health care professional about this treatment. MatriStem Wound Matrix is available on Amazon but can only be purchased by keepers of a pharmacy license.

Read more about the miraculous opportunities modern medical science has to offer in this CNN article: Woman’s persistence pays off in regenerated fingertip. There are some tips on how to be a proactive patient and how to contribute to getting the most optimal treatment available today. Or as stated in the article; realize your doctor doesn’t know everything.

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Cuts, and abrasions as a result of bumps and falls are a natural part of children’s lives. Many times the wounds are superficial but in some cases stitches or sutures are needed. In these cases, as well as in case of lacerations and chicken pox, parents may become concerned about scars. Children may become self-conscious. Especially when a child’s scar is located on a prominent location such as the face. Read on to learn about the best way to treat scars on children.

Here are some things for parents to know:

Scabs
Children are known to pick off scabs. This should be avoided if possible. In fact, scabs should best be prevented at all. Scabs contribute to scar creation. After a scab has fallen off the scar commonly stays red and bumpy for a while (this redness may last for a few months). When a wound is kept covered and moist it won’t scab, and heal more quickly which diminishes the risk on scarring. More info here.

Effective Treatment
The best non-invasive option available are silicone sheets or gels. Silicones have demonstrated to help to reduce itch, pain and sensitivity and render scars flat, soft and
supple. Especially useful for kids who are more prone to keloids such as children with dark skin because silicones help preventing such scars.

Difficulties
A difficulty of using silicone sheets on children is adherence. Silicone sheets can be difficult to keep attached. Especially in toddlers because they are so movable. I commonly recommend using ScarAway sheets but for young children you might want to use Cica Care sheetsbecause these are stickier.

Another solution is to use a silicone gel cream (a liquid that dries to a thin transparent film). According to medical evidence these ointments are (slightly?) less effective than sheets or patches. According to many this is because sheets apply pressure but medical science isn’t convinced about that. Here’s a list of commercially available silicone gel creams.

Polyurethane Dressings and Pressure Garments
Other over the counter products backed by clinical evidence are polyurethane dressings (although less evidence available and probably slightly less effective), and compression garments (the formerly used method, especially in case of burn scars)

Other Measures
Gently massaging on and around the location of the scar tissue is thought improve circulation, which should minimize scarring. Massage is also used to make surly tissue more supply and pliable.

Don’t forget to protect your child’s scar against sunshine with sunscreen and/or clothing. This is important because UV radiation will worsen the scar and may reduce the distortion of skin color and texture. Thin clothing only has a very low SPF so in most cases sunblock is a must. It is commonly recommended to apply sun block on the area for a prolonged period. Some dermatologists recommend to apply sunblock every day for a year because scar tissue pigments differently. Sometimes it’s the change in pigmentation that is more visible than the scar itself.

A popular product is Mederma for Kids. Although there’s minimal evidence this onion-extract based product really fades scars, there is a vast amount of positive anecdotal reports. But this is also the case for vitamin E oil.

Avoid Vitamin E Oil
Pure vitamin E oil, e.g. from capsules should be avoided. Especially when wounds or scars are fresh. Studies have shown vitamin E oil to cause rash or other skin irritation in about one third of the test persons. In the worst case this may worsen scar appearance.

Do children scar more easily?
Well, the opinions differ. I think they don’t, except for the fact that they may be injured more easily because it’s a part of growing up. I guess it depends on the severity, depth, of the wound and the healing process. Also genetics are of major influence because the tendency to scar is hereditary. On the other hand I think wounds and scars tend to heal more quickly in children and thus scar appearance may be less prominent. This because children have a young, elastic, and resilient skin.

Upcoming innovative medicine designed to prevent surgical scars
In the near future a new medicine designed to prevent post-surgery in children will be launched. Read more about it here.

Photo by wsilver

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Biodermis, Epi-derm silicone scar sheets are made of medical-grade silicones. These doctor-approved scar treatment products are used by hospitals, cosmetic surgeons, burn care practitioners, dermatologists, and other health care professionals.

They are FDA and C.E. (Europe) approved, breathable and permeable which is important because sheets that don’t allow oxygen to pass through may cause maceration. Silicone sheets are clinically proven to be a safe and effective scar treatment option. Epi-Derm sheets are also used for burn scar treatment.

How to use Biodermis Epi-Derm sheets? For optimal results they must be applied for a minimum of 12 hours per day for a period of 8-12 weeks.

Does using Biodermis Epiderm sheets bring side effects? All silicone sheets may cause skin rash although this happens rarely. This is very normal since any topical skin agent may potentially cause contact dermatitis (rash). If this occurs discontinue using Epi-Derm. The only exception is if you develop excessive moisture beneath the sheets which may lead to skin maceration which on its turn could predispose you to a fungal infection.

Are Biodermis silicone sheets any good? Some silicone brands are better than others. Some people gain better results with a certain brand than others. This may depend on skin type, humid or dry climates, and many other circumstances. Biodermis is a quality brand. What also makes it stand out is that Biodermis offers a variety of pre-cut, special shaped sheets. This way there is no need to cut them into the appropriate size yourself.

Studies mentioning Biodermis Epi-derm silicone sheets.
Study comparing the results of Epi-derm with Contractubex. Conclusion:
“Silicone products, either in gel or sheet, are superior to Contractubex® in the treatment of the hypertrophic scar.” Source: burnsjournal.com

Where to buy Biodermis Epi-derm sheets? They can be ordered online at MakeMeHeal and Amazon.

Here’s some info on the various sizes and shapes Biodermis sheets are available in:

Sizes and Shapes of the Biodermis Epi-derm products

Small silicone Patch (size: 5 x 6 cm / 2 x 2.5 in) The patches are only a few inches (max) and are ideal for preventing and treating small hypertrophic and keloid scars. Epitabs are small round and square shaped patches and are the smallest within the Biodermis range.

Standard Silicone gel sheet (size: 12 x 14.5 cm / 4.7 x 5.7 in) Best for mid-sized hypertrophic and keloid scars. Here’s a YouTube video on standard Biodermis Epi-Derm silicone sheets

Large Silicone gel sheet (size: 28 x 40 cm / 11 x 15.75 in) A full-sized sheet, ideal for the reduction of post-burn scarring. Can be wrapped around a limb or cover large scar areas on the torso.

Silicone Gel Strip (size 3.5 x 29 cm / 1.4 x 11.5 in) Strips are recommended for surgical scars such as C-section, tummy tuck, and heart surgery scars. Take a close look at the Biodermis Epi-derm strip in this video.

C strips are specially made for C-section and hysterectomy scars. (size: 3.6 x 15 cm/ 1.4 x 6 in)

Mastopexy shaped gel sheet. (size 32.0 x 9.6 cm / 12.6 x 3.8 in) The Mastopexy form is ideal for breast reduction (mammoplasty) and breast reconstruction surgery, and can be cut to size. Pairs of mastopexy forms and pairs of areola circles are sold separately.

Areopexy shaped sheets. Recommended for the “Lollipop” shaped scar as a result of the Lejour surgical technique used in areola reconstruction, breast reconstruction and breast reduction surgery. Sold in pairs. Can be cut to size.

Areola Circles (size: 7.6 x 1.9 cm / 3 x .75 in) Ideally dimensioned for small hypertrophic and keloid scars resulting from areola reconstruction and breast augmentation surgery. Watch this vid for an indication on how to apply special shaped breast surgery circle shaped silicones. Short video on breast surgery silicone patches

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Various silicone scar sheets brands are available. There are some distinct differences in the type of silicones, fabrics, thickness, and adhesiveness among these brands. So which are the best buy? In my opinion the best silicone scar sheets are ScarAway and Oleeva. This because these are the only two brands that use the patented Silon technology. (ScarAway is the former Neosporin Scar Solution)

In short, Silon is a blend of Teflon and a certain type of silicones “which has unusual physical and chemical properties – particularly when formed into thin membranes. Research suggests that Silon acts to hydrate scar tissue, which in turn works to soften scar tissue, reducing its development and causing it to fade away faster.” Wikipedia

But there are more reasons why these two brands offer the best silicone sheets:

Breathability
Apart from silicones another material is commonly used to create a layer on the outside of the sheets. It is very important that this fabric is breathable. Oxygen should be allowed to transfer because if it doesn’t it can cause skin maceration. Maceration of the skin occurs when it is consistently wet. The skin softens, turns white, and can easily get infected with bacteria or fungi. Source: About.com: Dermatology. A visitor of one of my Squidoo lenses described this wrinkled white skin effect during the use of Dr. Blaine’s Scar Care sheets.

Stickyness
Those who have used silicone sheets know that keeping them attached can be somewhat of a burden. Especially on some (moving) parts of the body such as the face or neck. It should however be noted that the stickier the better does not apply here. If silicone sheets are too sticky they could create too much tension on the freshly formed, still delicate scar tissue which is not desired because it might worsen the scar. The ideal sheet would be sticky enough to help you position it on the scar, and use a medical tape (i.e. cotton or silk) to secure further if necessary.

Thin sheets versus thick pads
Thinner sheets with a compact layer of silicone are more comfortable and more “durable” which means they do not break down and you get more use out of them. The thicker “gel” type pads get dirt, etc embedded in them which is not sanitary when sealing to your skin for hours each day. The thinner sheets can be washed.

The only silicone scar sheets that have the breathable fabric and the thin, washable, medical grade, Silon technology silicones are the ScarAway and Oleeva sheets. Both doctor-level products are manufactured by BioMed Sciences inc. Oleeva Scar Shapes are pre-cut pieces of Oleeva Fabric for targeted scar management following surgery.

Hydration
It is theorized that hydrating properties play a major role in the mechanism of silicone sheeting. After serious skin injury trans-epidermal water loss is increased. [1] This water loss is more significant in hypertrophic and keloid scars and may be responsible for increased collagen production (abnormal scar tissue). The semi-occlusive nature of silicone scar sheeting improves scars by providing adequate but not excessive hydration. Dressings that are too permeable to water may be ineffective on scars because they fail to block water loss and related skin healing processes, whereas dressings that are too occlusive may cause skin maceration.

ScarAway is available online at Amazon and Drugstore.com. Oleeva can be ordered online at Makemeheal.com.

Note: also Scar Fx and Biodermis Epi-derm silicone sheets are medical grade products. This means they have a higher percentage, better quality silicones than some of the brands available in the drugstore.

[1] Suetake T, Sasai S, Zhen YX, Ohi T, Tagami H (1996) Functional analyses of the stratum corneum in scars: Sequential studies after injury and comparison among keloids, hypertrophic scars, and atrophic scars. Arch Dermatol 132:1453–1458

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Has anyone tried Rejuvasil? It’s a silicone scar cream that also contains emu oil, vitamin C and squalene. According to the manufacturer it:

” has more effective ingredients than any other liquid silicone products and has been clinically proven to reduce keloids, hypertrophic scars, surgical scars, and burns. [...] is made with emu oil and squalene (shark oil) to make this treatment even more effective.”

I would love to hear your experiences because there are little to no reviews of this product. The reason I think it might be an effective scar treatment cream is because it also contains vitamin C.



Next to the, proven effective silicones (dimethicone), vitamin C is backed by several studies as an effective scar cream component. It is mainly considered a wound healing agent but topical use seems to have some benefits regarding scar treatment.



Some of these benefits include:

• promoting healthy scar tissue regrowth (collagen synthesis),
• protection from harmful sunlight radiation (ultraviolet A and B),
• lightening of dark colored scars (hyperpigmentation),
• and improvement of skin irritation, inflammation, itch, redness (inflammatory dermatoses).
• It’s also thought to have excellent hydrating properties.

Source: Wiley Interscience.



The problem with the addition of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) to skin care products is that it is highly unstable. This means that it reacts when exposed to e.g. air. Cosmetic manufacturers found a solution by using a more stable vitamin C variant called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate. RejuvaSil contains this stable form of vitamin C.



I’m not aware of emu oil having any scar treatment benefits. Nevertheless the addition of this natural oil to Rejuvasil scar cream might still be useful because it is considered to be one of the few oils able to penetrate the skin. This trait would allow active ingredients to be carried with it into the deeper layers of the skin.

The only review I could find online is this one: (Average Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 )

“So far, the best scar gel for the price. I don’t see much of a difference between this one and another best seller scar gel that I have tried from the Derm Store, except this one is about $20 less. This was my second purchase and I plan on purchasing again.”

Rejuvasil scar cream can be purchased online at Amazon (cheaper) and MakeMeHeal. (two for one)

After application silicone creams provide a thin film covering the scar. The area should be clean and dry before the self-drying cream is applied. Daily use is recommended for optimal results. Major advantage of silicone ointments over patches is that it can easily be used on the face and other parts of the body that are hard to keep covered with patches.



“The application of silicone gel improves the redness, itching, texture and thickness of hypertrophic and keloid scars in 60% to 100% of cases “ (Poston, 2000)



Ingredients: Silicone (dimethicone), Emu Oil, Squalene (Shark Oil), Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate (Vitamin C)



Did you use RejuvaSil? Please let others know what you think. You can share your experiences below.

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A ScarAway Silicone Gel Review

I have used medical grade, doctor-approved silicone scar sheets myself. (Silicones are the only over the counter treatment proven with over 20 years of studies to work to flatten and fade old scars and help prevent thickened scars.)

The sheets I used were of an European brand of which the quality can be compared with that of ScarAway sheets. I created a write-up on my experiences with silicone scar treatment where I recommend ScarAway.

A visitor of this review page informed me about how she tried various silicone sheet brands which made her aware of the many differences between them.

She notes: “there are very distinct differences in the types, thicknesses and material that cause each one to be a whole different experience. Some are thick, some are thin, some are clear and some are opaque. Some are fabric, some have a plastic or polyurethane outer layer on the silicone, and some have a fabric backing.”

Because there are so many different brands to choose from choosing the right one be very confusing. That’s why she had an in-depth conversation with her plastic surgeon. Here’s what she informed me about the conversation with her surgeon:

Make sure to use breathable silicones “It is important that the material baking on the silicone is breathable. Silicone fabric types with a baking that does not allow the transfer of oxygen should be avoided. Do not use the cheaper “tape” types that don’t breath which can cause skin maceration.

Definition: The softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture. The skin softens, turns white, and can easily get infected with bacteria or fungi. This type of problem can cause more scarring or widening of the scar.”

Avoid the use of sheets that are too sticky. “I was baffled by this as I see a complaint of users of silicone sheet products is that they don’t stick real well by themselves and roll off after a period of time, etc. Some sheets are not made to be self adhering at all ..more like a piece of rubber, but those buckle even under medical tape.

My surgeon explained that a proper silicone sheet should never produce a severe pulling on your scar. If it is too sticky, there is the potential to further damage the new skin, or even open a delicate healing area. in general, he said the ideal sheet would be sticky enough to help you position it on the scar, and use a medical tape..cotton or silk, to secure further if necessary…but stickier does not equate to more effective.”

Thin silicone sheets vs thick silicone gel pads “Thinner sheets with a compact layer of silicone are more comfortable and more “durable” which means they do not break down and you get more use out of them. The thicker “gel” type pads get dirt, etc embedded in them which is not sanitary when sealing to your skin for hours each day. He advised against a thick gel type pad. The thinner “sheet type” can be washed cleanly. So which ones are which out there on the market?

ScarAway Review

The only silicone scar treatment product that has the breathable fabric AND the thin washable medical grade silicone in one is the expensive sheets through your surgeon and the new ScarAway sheets. He gave me a coupon for $2.00 off ScarAway at Walgreens.

I have also found them online at Amazon.com and Drugstore.com. So, I will journey on using ScarAway sheets. Like you do, my surgeon recommended using the sheets at night and the ScarAway 100% Silicone Serum during the day. I know this is long..it took my doctor 45 minutes to explain it all to me. I hope this is helpful to all and answers the many question out there about silicone scar treatments.”

If you have any questions regarding silicone scar sheets, ScarAway, or scar treatment in general don’t hesitate to ask me by leaving a comment. There are also many questions and answers on the silicone scar treatment page I was talking about. Thanks again for sharing this in-depth information Laura!

ScarAway Products

ScarAway makes three types of scar treatment products. These include;

• Silicone Scar Sheets,
• C-Section Scar Sheets,
• and Diminishing Serum.

ScarAway can be used by anyone who has an unsightly scar in which they would like to get rid of and it does not matter how old or new the scar is. However, results are better when treatment is started as soon as possible.

ScarAway works by either shrinking scars or flattening raised scars like keloids. ScarAway has previously been available only through hospitals, burn centers, and plastic surgeons. Nowadays ScarAway, with the same medical-grade quality used by medical facilities, is available for purchase by consumers.

Scaraway C-Section Strips are the same size as most c-section incision scars. ScarAway sheets are smaller than the C-section sheets. These sheets are perfect for smaller scars. They also offer longer sheets for bigger scars. These measure 7″ X 1.5″.

Both types of sheets deliver a slight pressure directly to the scar which helps simulate the natural barrier function of healthy skin. This process will help to reduce the scar’s appearance and restores skin to a more natural texture and color. Both types of sheets can be used on all skin types. The sheets are ultra-thin so they will be hardly noticeable. The sheets are also breathable and durable. Each sheet will last for approximately one week. You can even remove the sheets for bathing or showering and then reapply. This way, you will definitely get the full use of each sheet.

ScarAway also has a serum which will soften and smooth scars. ScarAway Serum is perfect for hard to treat areas such as the face, neck, ears, hands, and other parts of the body that are exposed to the public eye. ScarAway is proven effective and the results can be seen in 12 weeks.

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Scar Esthetique Reduction Cream Review

Scar Esthetique Reduction Cream is often bought in combination with silicone sheets. This scar reduction cream is marketed with the pay off:

“Containing more ingredients that promote scar healing and scar reduction than any other scar cream on the market”.

Which in fact is true. It contains an impressive amount of ‘active’ ingredients. (w/Silicone, Arnica, Antioxidants, Copper Peptides, Co-Q10)

Some of them are frequently occurring scar cream components which have no scientific scar treatment value. Onion extract is one of those. Or at least it is disputed. One animal study showed improvement while two other studies didn’t show benefits. Vitamin E is also a popular skin care product component but whether or not it is useful in scar treatment hasn’t been scientifically proven. It is often added because of its skin soothing properties. Some other ingredients of Scar Esthetique however seem more promising. Vitamin C for example.

Several studies have shown vitamin C to be an effective scar treatment constituent. Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) has shown to hydrate scar tissue, reduce scar discolorization and redness, and regulate excessive collagen formation. Major downside of vitamin C and products containing it is that it is very unstable. This means that if it is exposed to the air (oxygen) it will loose its action. (A more stable form of vitamin C is Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) I am not sure whether or not Scar Esthetique Reduction Cream contains a stable form of vitamin C.

Arnica montana, also referred to as Leopards bane or Mountain Tobacco, is known to promote wound healing. Historically used to reduce bruising, swelling, and  inflammation. Although advertised frequently as an effective scar treatment component its scientific efficacy has to be proven yet.  Study reports from the ‘Archives of Facial and Plastic Surgery’ show that when arnica is taken orally before surgery it reduces inflammation and bruising. Arnica stimulates white blood cell activity which might be beneficial in scar tissue reduction.

Copper peptides is another supposed scar reducing ingredient. Proteins called peptides boost the body’s reserve of an enzyme which regulates the way cells age and deal with stress.  In a previous post on copper peptides I concluded that copper peptides will probably help a little bit because copper is a part of healthy collagen placement but they have to be used in combination with peels and results will only be seen over (a relatively long) time.

Silicones (dimethicone) are proven effective scar reducing agents. Silicone sheets or ointments reduce scar elevation, redness, itch, and pain. I know of some other creams containing silicones that they stay on the surface of the skin and seal it to enable the rest of the ingredients to work. Whether this is the case in this particular cream I don’t know.

Vitamin A is an important skin care vitamin. “Today it is well recognized that the rejuvenation of skin can be achieved by applying vitamin A to the skin.” Studies show that vitamin A has some scar fading properties. There are many types and derivates of vitamin A. Retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and beta-carotene are a few of them. Retinyl palmitate, present in the Scar Esthetique cream accounts for about 80% of the vitamin A found in the skin. For more in-dept info on the role of vitamin A in scar treatment visit this post on the benefits of vitamin A in scar treatment.

According to the manufacturer:

“Scar Esthetique Scar Cream penetrates deep into the skin’s epidermal layers to treat scar tissue damage from the inside. It stimulates new cellular growth to reduce scarring and is the only scar cream available that can remove scars. Scar Esthetique Scar Creme is clinically proven to improve the appearance of scars, including hypertrophic and keloid scars, that result from surgery, trauma, burns, laser resurfacing and acne. It is also highly effective in reducing stretch marks and lightening brown aging spots.”

It is also said that it works like a silicone sheet at a cellular level. Whether or not this is completely true remains to be seen. No real evidence proving these statements is available. On the other hand, there’s no real proof this cream doesn’t work at all.

My conclusion for now: I think that, among the possibly, not yet proven, effective scar reduction creams Scar Esthetique might be a very promising contender. No studies to this exact mix of ingredients have been done but the components used in this cream are at least promising.

Apart from this the customer reviews of this product are pretty positive. To see for yourself click the link below. It is rated 4 out of 5 stars. I’m convinced these reviews are unbiased and real because there are other products on their website that have far less positive ratings.

Read More Reviews of Scar Esthetique Reduction Cream

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