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.