Khoo TL, et al. (2011). A prospective, randomised, double-blinded trial to study the efficacy of topical tocotrienol in the prevention of hypertrophic scars. 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. Atrophic scars don’t respond well to at-home treatments. But medical treatments such as chemical peels and soft tissue fillers can be highly effective for significantly reducing their appearance. Keloid scars

Allantoin softens keratin, the fibrous protein that gives your skin its waterproofing, toughness and elasticity. It’s not usually vegan, because it’s derived from the urine of mammals, but some products do use lab-made equivalents. Allantoin is the main active ingredient in Mederma Advanced Gel, one of the best-known treatments for reducing the appearance of scars.

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:

Dr. Brazzo says that the actual form of the treatment you choose isn’t that important (aside from choosing the right product for the right body part). Xu F-W, et al. (2021). Beneficial effects of green tea EGCG on skin wound healing: a comprehensive review. Scarring is the body’s way of healing and replacing injured skin. There are many types of scars, including: Fine-line scarsKeloid Scars - Overgrowth of itchy, painful scar tissue caused by the overproduction of collagen that continues to develop and extend after the wound has healed. 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. CookieYes sets this cookie to record the default button state of the corresponding category and the status of CCPA. It works only in coordination with the primary cookie.

EGCG is an antioxidant found in green tea. Since it is water soluble, it can’t adhere to skin or scar tissue on its own. Scarring is a common part of healing. Scarring can be caused by cuts, burns, surgery, acne, and a host of other issues that affect skin. When you have a wound, your skin tries to close itself to shield your body from germs and bacteria. This closure leads to a scar. Different types of scar require different types of treatment. Here are some of the ingredients you’ll find in scar creams and gels.

How to use Kelo-Cote Scar Gel

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. Wigger-Albert W, et al. (2009). Efficacy of a polyurethane dressing versus a soft silicone sheet on hypertrophic scars. Flat scars and areas of discolouration from a superficial wound (such as a cut or a nasty spot) are usually temporary. Raised scars such as keloids and hypertrophic scars result from an overly aggressive healing process, and they’re often permanent. Larger ones can be removed by surgery or steroid injections, but smaller keloids and hypertrophic scars can be treated at home using products containing scar-shrinking ingredients such as silicone and allantoin. What active ingredients should I look for in the best scar creams?