An effective scar cream should contain clinically tested ingredients, absorb fast, have great customer feedback, and, of course, have an acceptable price tag. I tested and ranked the most popular creams. Here are the results.
1. bioCorneum Plus SPF 30 Advanced Scar Supervision
My take: BioCorneum is among my favorite scar creams as it is one of the very few products containing both silicone gel and sun-protective compounds. Silicone is the only ingredient clinically proven to reduce the appearance of scarring and fade discoloration. Adequate SPF is a must during the healing period. (See detailed review)
- 1st and only FDA-cleared topical silicone scar treatment with SPF
- Affordable, high-quality cream providing sun protection
- Easy to apply, comfortable to wear
What I like: BioCorneum is also fragrance-free, paraben-free, sensitivity-free and noncomedogenic
What I dislike: Older and larger scars need prolonged application until visible improvements are available
User reviews:
Helphul review: “I’ve purchased this 3 times so far. I originally purchased a small bottle from my surgeon for $75. This is a much better deal. The ingredients and consistency are the same as the one purchased from my drs office. I can’t say for sure if this cream is what’s improving the look of my scars or purely just time but I continue to use and purchase this product. I had surgery 5 1/2 months ago and started using the gel about 2 months after. It only takes a small amount/thin layer. I have ALOT of scars to cover so one 50g tube lasted me from March 25th to May 13 with application once a day after my shower.” – M. Jones
Helpful review: “Just over a year ago, my son sliced his precious 1.5yr old perfect face and needed 5 stitches in his forehead. They were done in the ER and NOT by a PS. I was horrified when I saw it start to heal. It kept getting wider, redder, and I immediately tried to heal it with Mederma massages and silicone sheeting. Massage, massage, sun screen, sun screen. I did everything I read was right. A plastic surgeon recommended biocorneum and I was ready to buy it in his office. He said it’s expensive and I’m better off buying it on Amazon. So far, we’ve been using it for about 9-10 months and the BEST thing about this stuff is the SUNSCREEN IN IT!!! He no longer needs a thick white line on his face to go outside. I use this every morning and every night (and anytime I leave the house). We don’t use much at a time and I’m back here on Amazon to buy our first replacement bottle. It has lasted that long!!! This stuff (and time, of course), has made his scar blend in SO much better, it’s definitely there still, but it’s soft and just a tad lighter than his natural skin. Scars unfortunately are permanent. Nothing will make them go away completely. But we love biocorneum and believe it has really helped. I will continue to use it on him for another year.” – Janelle McCarthy
User review: “I originally purchased this from my surgeon’s office and it has really helped with lessen the scar color from my recent surgery. So nearing the end of my current bottle (the smaller bottle pictured) I ordered this replacement here at a larger size. I was surprised to find not only was the label slightly different from the Amazon listing but the ingredients on back were different as well. There wasn’t a way on the company’s site to confirm that these differences were legit. I’m not sure otherwise how to confirm if this product is from real manufacturer.” – Britt
User review: “I had a major surgery last year – mastectomy and reconstructive surgery which required an incision from hipbone to hipbone. I’ve used this product every time I get out of the shower or tub since two weeks post op, which is just about 4 months now. There are parts of my larger scar that don’t show at all. It’s amazing. Use sparingly. My doc. said to spread very thin and let it dry before dressing. Contains something that forms a fibrous bond over the scar, according to him. I bought a 2 g tube of this at my plastic surgeon’s office for $60. This is more than double for only $5 more. I even used it on a fresh scar on my dog’s head and it worked. Within two days, I couldn’t even see where the scab had been.” – Suzanne Thompson
Helpful review: “I was worried this was fake. IT IS NOT fake. IT IS REAL. Originally I bought a brown box titled ‘bioCorneum’ from my doctor. I called the HOT LINE on the brown box (1.800.240.8227) that I purchased at my doctor’s office. Learned the BIOCORNEUM I thought might be counterfeit was NOT. It’s real. The brown box ( with the capital ‘C’ in the product name) is real. So is the white box with the spelling BIOCORNEUM is real, too. ( by sientra / hotline 888.708.0808). The brown box company (manufactured in the USA for enaltus, LLC) only packages it. Their CS rep referred me to sientra and hotline phone number 888.708.0808 that is printed on the box I was worried was a fake product. The product with the name spelled in all CAPs makes the product and it is REAL. BOTH ARE REAL.” – Mary
User review: “I wanted to write a review after reading a few others. My order arrived and the package was in-tact and unopened. The bottle is obviously the updated design. I also noted the expiration date. My product doesn’t expire until 2020. I don’t need to use it until next week so I haven’t cracked open the bottle yet. I’ll try to update once I actually use it. I’m happy I purchased from here.” – Boydmar
2. Mederma Advanced Scar Gel
My take: Mederma Advanced Gel combines onion extract and other potent ingredients that will diminish scarring. Other than that, Mederma seems to be appreciated by thousands of people who managed to erase their marks. (See detailed review)
- An inexpensive option, suitable for all types of scars
- Require only 1x daily application
- Contains onion extract, proven to reduce the healing time
What I like: The price
What I dislike: The distinct onion odor
User reviews:
Helpful review: “I’ve been using this product for a while for stretch marks (from muscle growth). It treats scars and stretch marks are certainly scars. There’s another Mederma product specifically for stretch marks, but it’s essentially the same product. It’s Cepalin rebranded. That’s the key ingredient in Mederma.The 50g version is obviously the better choice because you’ll be saving money, especially over time if you choose to continue using this product. It’s somehow much more effective than the standard version as well – maybe twice as much. It’s so strong it makes my skin itch like I have poison ivy if I apply a generous amount to my skin. That really sucks, but if I just use a small amount, which is also good for getting more daily use out of the product, I don’t have any itching, so that problem is avoidable.Within about a year of using this product daily, I’ve reduced my stretch marks by maybe 60% or more. That’s proof this product works for me, but it works very slowly. However, considering the alternative is very expensive, spending about $200 on Mederma in a year is worth it. Cosmetic removal (usually not covered by insurance) can cost can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. I’m also factoring that into my rating, so I’d probably give this product three stars if alternative treatment was affordable. Despite results coming slowly, I don’t know any other product which successfully removes stretch marks at this level of efficiency either (besides Mederma’s stretch marks formula which I stated earlier is essentially the same product).” – Sierra
Helpful review: “As of this review I’m still using it but I went and bought the Advanced Scar Gel from Walmart.Originally I started applying just this particular Mederma product to my acne scars, old eyebrow piercing scar, and stretch marks. I bought it for my acne scars because I had 2 dark ones on my cheeks… yes I bought this as a spot treatment lol. Let me go ahead and state that I’m a african american female with a brown skin complexion.Acne Scars: I had a blemish under my eye that was a bit red. It seem to have got rid of that completely but as far as the 2 acne scars I was trying to spot treat.. either I’m just paranoid or they kept getting darker. After awhile though those 2 scars….PEELED…OFF. They honestly peeled right off but started scarring over again. I’ve been using this for a month now and the one on the left side of my face is a little lighter but the one of the right is darker. They keep peeling and re-scarring. I broke out with another pimple that started scarring after treating it and that one peeled off BUT it healed perfectly fine. You can’t even tell I had a pimple in that area and I spot treated it with this like I’ve been doing the other 2 acne spots. I’ve even applied this to my whole face and after 2 weeks my skin tone had evened out completely… except for those 2 stubborn spots.Eyebrow Scar: This product on THIS particular scar was amazing. I’ve had this scar for about 2 1/2 years from a eyebrow piercing that was migrating through my skin. If I didn’t take it out when I did, the piercing would have came through my skin. My body was rejecting it because I kept snagging it on my shirts when I took them off or else scratched it in my sleep.It looked like I took a razor and made a slit in my eyebrow and that always bothered me. No hair would grow in that area! Even after getting my eyebrows professionally done, I felt as though the look was ruined by that scar. After applying Mederma to the scar, it started healing, not just fading. As of this review, the scar is still there but it’s not a “deep” scar anymore. I can probably take a eye pencil and fill it in a little and you wouldn’t even be able to see it. It has helped THAT much.Stretch Marks: Other than my eyebrow scar, Mederma seems to have had a positive effect on my stretch marks as well. Like I said, I’m brown skinned, so the stretch marks show up darker on me. I would apply the product to my upper arms, and my tummy. I don’t have any children so they were really bothering me especially since losing weight. I can say without a doubt they work on stretch marks. They are still there but the darker stretch marks are more faded and a bit grey while the lighter stretch marks are starting to blend in with my tummy. Some of the lighter ones I can hardly see myself. If I can hardly see them, then I know to others they will be near invisible and that’s what I wanted. Even the stretch marks on my upper arms are blending in to my skin tone.Now since I’ve bought the advanced gel as well, I’ve been applying both. This will sound strange but this seems to work better than the advanced gel. I saw no difference with the advanced gel but I saw a difference with this one….strange.ADDED NOTE: After applying this to my body for the first 2 weeks I’ve noticed it’s been FIRMING those areas, especially my face and upper arms. I’ve noticed it more in my upper arms. The skin is tighter. I’m 26 years old and now my face doesn’t look as tired.Doesn’t work as well on darker acne scars but seems to work great on stretch marks and regular scars.” – ChAnPu
User review: “I had sever legs ingrown hairs, keratosis Pilaris and razor bumps after I gave birth to my twins due to wrong usage of the shaving razors. Back then in 2017, my OB recommendation was Maderma for my c section scars. I did not use any of it on my legs. That said, I suffered from loads of wounds, ingrown hairs, pain and scars. Hyperpigmentation was awful too. I used literally tens of products. Some of them did work but others were just waste of money.I started taking care of my legs in 2019. I did all of the following- Dry brushing (worked)- glycolic acid chemical peel. (Worked well)- Tend skin solution (no effect)- pfb vanish + chamobright ( it is for face so did not work on legs)- differin serum for pegmentation (also for faces so didn’t work)- home made sugar paste hair removal (works magics)- home laser hair removal( great and BEST)- shea sugar scrubs (very gd for softening and exfoliating)- hibiclense anti bacterial soap ( didn’t work)- home remedies like olive oil and turmeric ( good but not alone)- Gold bond rough and bumpy: God sent for keratosis pilaris and ingrown hairs.- MADERMA ADVANCED GEL: this is magic!!! So I started using it in June 2020 and as you can see on images and dates (August 2020) HUGE diference. It made big difference the most. It hydrates skin, exfoliates skin, reduces dark spots, for groovy scars it helps rebuilding skin! Overall I am so thankful that I remembered my OB recommendation even it was kinda late. After it helped my c section scar it also worked best on my scars all over my legs. Now I will be ordering more for complete treatment.- the amount is really sufficient as other reviewers wrote so it lasts way longer than stores versions and you can’t beat the price.Overall, I don’t want to be happy alone 💌 get this for your scars, exfoliate it (gently) after few days and enjoy them fading away” – Dshopper93
User review: “Prior I had used Mederma PM intensive overnight and Mederma +SPF 30 and I find this Mederma advanced to be better than both of them,It is more of a gel and not a cream like the previous mentioned Mederma’s and a little of this goes a long way as well it seeps into the skin faster and dries faster than the previous 2 mentioned. My scars are already fading after using for a month.Important tip! They ain’t kidding when they say you only have to use once daily. During the 1st week of using this I was applying it to my scars 3 to 4 times a day and I noticed the skin around my scars was peeling. This is strong stuff and only use it once a day or else it will peel your skin.Overall this is great stuff to reduce scar appearance,I like it a lot better than the Mederma PM overnight and +SPF30 creams” – Joe
User review: “So, I accidentally burned myself trying to do one of those over-the-counter chemical peels on my feet. (I know, I know – big mistake). It was a slow burn. I didn’t actually realize I had burned myself until about 2 days after I did the peel. My skin got increasingly red and started to form small bubbles underneath the surface layer. I know for sure it wasn’t an allergy. The burn never left me with open skin or sores, so I have been trying to treat it myself (I don’t recommend you do this though. I just don’t have great medical insurance right now). The directions specifically say not to use it on open or broken skin. So for me, because my skin was not broken, it was safe to use. My biggest concern has been scarring, because this burn is on my feet in a highly visible area. I’ve been using this cream (along with the Mederma PM at night) for just under 2 weeks now and I’ve seen a pretty big improvement. I massage and rub in the Mederma Advanced Gel 2-3 times a day then let it air dry. I then place LOOSE socks over my feet to make sure the gel does not rub off onto my clothes or shoes. At night, I use the Mederma PM and again, place LOOSE socks over my feet when sleeping. I HATE sleeping with socks but I do feel like it has helped in keeping the gel on my skin and from rubbing off onto the sheets. Over the last 13 days, I’ve seen a significant improvement in the appearance of my skin. The pictures above are from days 3, 5, and 13. The burned area still has some hyperpigmentation and the area still appears to be healing, but it’s looking like if I continue to use this gel daily over the next few months, there will barely be an appearance of a scar. I’m also almost completely out of the Mederma PM and because it’s quite expensive compared to this Mederma Advanced Gel, I’m thinking I will just stick to the gel from here on out. Now, I don’t know if my burn would have healed the same way without this gel, so I’m not exactly sure if my skin looks this way from using the gel or just from my normal body healing. But I wasn’t really willing to risk the possibility of scarring, and that’s why I decided to purchase this product. So far, the gel tube has lasted me a long time and I still have quite a bit left. It’s the Mederma PM that is more expensive and I seem to run out of faster. I hope this review helps you! I don’t write reviews often but I wanted to help others make a decision on what they think is best for themselves. Good luck!” – Washington, DC
User review: “BOTTOM LINE – the product works with MULTIPLE DAILY applications and it takes MONTHS for the results to show, much longer than what the Mederma manufacturer states (It will probably be well over a year by the time my scars fully resolve – but that’s better than having the scars, right?). For more details on my experience..read on.I sustained burns on my legs, one of which was quite deep and infected, it required heavy duty oral antibiotics (Augmentin) for weeks to heal. For context, I have an olive skin complexion.The worst burn initially healed with a jelly-like puckered up texture – nothing like regular skin, purplish in color. The original size of that burn was about the size of nickel, with the most “jelly” in the middle and less raised in the edges. The burn is now about half the size of a dime, what is left is still quite ugly but changing. I’ve been conscientiously applying Mederma TWICE (2x) per day – morning and night – and I rub it in when I apply it. I’ve been doing this now for NINE (9) months, so the process is not a fast one, but it IS working (and I’ve witnessed the slow contraction of the scar over the months). I do not believe that the skin would have healed like this on its own. Upon reading about burn scars, the type of scar I described can be dealt with by surgically removing the weird skin and sawing up the skin around it (read expensive cosmetic procedure, and you’re still left with the scar from bringing the skin together).The next to worse burns are two other scars which healed with indentations and very dark pigmentation. Those two scars no longer have indentations, that is to say the skin has “filled in”. I also think the dark pigmentation is starting to get lighter, but as I obsessively look at the scars daily that sort of progress is hard to gage.Why not 5 stars? The downside – the Mederma product instruction/claims are of a much shorter duration in recovery than experienced by me. Nine months (and ongoing) is NOT the 8 weeks promised for new scars, it’s not even the 6 months promised for old scars!! Note that the manufacturer’s instructions recommend applying Mederma 3-4x/day and for practical reasons I apply the Mederma only 2Xs per day; so there’s the possibility that I would have healed faster had I used it that often? Another possibility is that the manufacturer meant for the scarring that takes 6 months to heal to be more benign than whatever degree burns I sustained.Another negative observation is that I can still see some of the burns that were very superficial – they healed like regular scars and I still have much darker skin in that area (note that I apply the Mederma with the same schedule/intensity as I apply it to the serious burn scars). As I mentioned before I’m olive skinned, so perhaps people with lighter pigments will experience a faster fading of their scar.A conclusion I draw from my experience is that perhaps Mederma will give painfully slow results to those seeking to lighten minor scars? As I have a lot of product I will continue to apply.” – Silly Chica
3. Mederma Kids Skin Care
My take: Mederma is the manufacturer of one of the few scar removal products that were specially created for kids. It has no harsh chemicals, no parabens, and perfect for the most sensitive and fragile skin types. 100% safe for the facial skin.
- Pediatrician-recommended formula
- Allantoin-based product (onion extract)
- Helps eliminate scars on all body areas, including the face
What I like: Mederma Kids should be applied only once a day
What I dislike: The purple color of the cream
User reviews:
Helpful review: “First Photo: 5/28/2018Second Photo: 1/28/2019My wife and I experienced one of the worst days when our family dog bit our son over a piece of food. After several stitches and many emotions of us never thinking our son would heal we flash forward to today with a happy and almost 100% scar free kid. We used Mederma, massaging and some other hydrating lotions over the past months to treat the scars. Thanks to the folks at Mederma for creating a product to help us heal in many ways. Photos are worth 1,000 words – they are untouched and straight from my phone. If you use it be diligent in using as much as possible (and as directed). Good luck and hope your not reading this because you are in the same circumstances as we were, if you are – it gets better!” – Nathan Schrickel
Helpful review: “This thing does work!! My 7 year old got a scar (about 1 inch long) on the forehead when she’s 4. It stays there forever. We never thought about treating it until last month.She uses the cream 2-3 times every day. Only several days later I can see the difference! Amazing! Now it’s been 1 month. This scar has been significantly reduced. It is an old scar so I didn’t expect it’ll disappear so quickly. I’m impressed. I think a couple of month later it’ll go away completely.” – Js
User review: “This stuff actually works! I was skeptical at first because anything that I purchase, never works! My son fell at school and had this huge scar on his right cheekbone. At first I was only applying neosporin for it to heal but then it left this dark scar on his face when I stopped applying that. I purchased the maderma and started using it right away, applying it twice a day. Once I started noticing it going away, I only applied it once a day due to laziness. It took a few months for it to fully disappear but it worked! I know for sure this product helped because no way would that dark scar would have gone away by itself.” – Shar
User review: “My daughter had a pretty visible scare from a deep cut on her forehead. Once the stitches were off and she could use ointment I started to apply this product every at night. It’s been about three months now, but I don’t see a significant amount of improvement on the scare. I know that goes into many factors (stitching method and after care) but I figured it would be significantly improved as was stated in other reviews. Either way it is highly recommended so it will still be used as part of the daily process. At least it smells good, and my daughter doesn’t try to wipe it off so she is getting the full effects of it’s benefits.” – GORDON D.
User review: “I’m not quite sure about the reviews stating that it made scars purple…honestly, these made me second guess buying this because my daughter; scar is on her cheek. Well, I just decided to go with Mederma reputation and bought this anyway thinking it would just be safer for her face. Well, yes the gel is purple, but it DOES rub in clear just as described. I’m assuming the people with the purple problem are not actually massaging it in fully. It takes patience…it’s not like rubbing on Neosporin or something. Scars require massage for scar tissue, etc…I look at the fading from purple to clear as my “you did it enough” timer. Anyway, I love it, it smells great, my daughter likes it….just get it if you’re wavering.” – WG
User review: “I bought this on sale for such a good price I thought I’d try it for myself on a scar I have on my neck. (I’m an adult). I didn’t know if it was a milder strength or what the difference was with it being for kids but in just two weeks it’s made an amazing difference on my scar. I used it twice a day for two weeks and already my scar is flatter and softer. I am totally impressed! Yes, this Mederma is purple, it has a pleasant scent and as an adult I like it better than the regular kind. I massaged it onto my scar for less than a minute twice a day, and then put another thin dab over my scar after I massaged the first application into my skin. There was no purple residue at all, don’t know where it went but it disappears. My scar was a rather large and deep mole removal my dermatologist did and it left a thick and raised scar. I asked him about Mederma and he said don’t bother, it doesn’t work. Where he got that from I don’t know, because it worked for me. You would think the dermatologist would have gotten positive reports from his patients, or maybe he had something else he was selling but I didn’t ask about it because I figured if he did have something, it would be ridiculously expensive. Skip the expensive stuff and try this first! I’m going to keep up my twice a day routine and I’ll report back in another few weeks*UPDATE* 12/8/2015I meant to update sooner but it’s all good news regarding this product – I continued to use this twice a day for several months and I am happy to report my scar is barely noticeable!! It is flat, smooth and not pink/red or white, same color as surrounding skin. I’m most impressed with how flat and soft it is. I can’t say enough good things about Mederma. My advice is to be consistent. I automatically put some on whenever I brushed my teeth to remember. I used it sparingly and I still have half a tube left after it worked it’s magic.” – An Amazon Customer
4. MD Performance Ultimate Scar Formula
My take: MD scar formula mixes medical-grade silicone gels that show visible results after 6-8 weeks of regular application. And is dermatologist-formulated.
- Potent silicone compounds provide fast efficacy on severe burns and scar formations
- Safe for all skin types
- Dermatologist-recommended product
What I like: Improvements in the texture and color of the tissue treated are reported by many
What I dislike: The amount is insufficient if you intend to treat larger scars
User reviews:
Helpful review: “I’m really happy with my purchase of Ultimate Scar Formula. I reached out to the seller to see if the product would be useful on older scars. I tore my Achilles in 2013 and have a 6” long surgery scar that has been very noticeable.I started using the product in mid-January 2018 and there is easily noticeable improvement at the scar site. There 3-4” of the top of the scar has lightened and is becoming much less pronounced. The base of the scar, which was very dark at the start has lightened significantly.The tube itself is small, but I still have TONS of product to go. I doubt I will need another tube for another few months, unless I start using it on other scars I have. I am really please with the performance of this Scar gel.” – Hey Its J
Helpful review: “After surgery to remove some skin cancer on the face, my husband tried this and it works! The surgery was done earlier this year and for about 5 months, my husband used a formula that the doctor recommended. It did help, but there was still quite a scar and the redness was quite noticeable. This was all done just above the eye (including the eyebrow, above and below).The cream recommended by the doctor had finally been used up. My husband was NOT especially pleased with the results so I came searching on Amazon for something new to try rather than getting more of the same from the doctor. I purchased this for him to try …… Within a week, there was very noticeable improvement. After using a month or so (same tube of cream), I no longer even notice the scar and the redness is totally gone.My husband is very happy with results!” – Palos Place
User review: “I’ve been using this on my 2yr old daughter’s healing wound after she split her chin open on the travertine tile. I use a couple different scar creams, ointments on it each day but this one is my go to. It has a much better application feel than the rest; the thicker silicon allows me to message it into the scar better while letting me really apply some pressure to the scar too. From what I read, breaking up the scar tissue with manaul circular pressure is a key step to the out come of the scar modelling. Love this product and look forward to sharing the outcome photo in about another 6 months of use .!!” – Amazon Customer
User review: “I began using the Ultimate Scar Formula ointment after 20 stitches had been removed from my cheek due to skin cancer. The redness and puffiness began smoothing out almost immediately and it has continued to improve daily. Because of the scar , I thought I might frighten women or children and I would not want to venture outside the house. That has not been the case, as I was confident going out to an upscale Italian restaurant last night. I am extremely happy with the results from this product and would recommend it to anyone. My fiance, who ordered the product for me, still thinks I look as sexy as ever.” – smilesc
User review: “I started using MD Performance ten days after a thyroidectomy which was required to remove a cancerous thyroid tumor. My scar, once the steri-strips were removed, was hideously raised, bright red, and extremely noticeable. People at work commented immediately. This product was not recommended to me, but had great reviews on Amazon so I gave it a shot. I am so thankful I did. Two months post surgery, 1/2 of the scar is completely gone, save for a thin line, and I have every confidence that the other half, where the incision and subsequent scar was more invasive, has flattened and softened. I see more of an improvement every few days. I just purchased my second tube (a little goes a long way), and will continue applying it 2X a day. My initial fear after surgery was that I would never be able to wear a thin gold choker necklace again, my favorite understatement in the way of jewelry. I proudly put one on this morning, and it looks terrific!” – Micki Nolan Hosband
User review: “In September 2017 I was ran over by a speeding truck. I was left with two broken hips and a shattered left femur. My leg was placed in traction for three days until my surgery was scheduled. The surgery was to place a rod and pins to promote regrowth of the femur bone. The ordeal left me with five nasty scars, three incisions from the rod & pins placements and two holes from the drilling for traction. I couldn’t walk for three months per doctors orders. My physical therapist gave me silicone sheets to massage on the scars to help diminish their appearance. That didn’t help with fading the marks. I then began my search for a product to fade my scars. I came across MD Performance-Ultimate Scar Formula. I read through all the reviews, still very skeptical, decided to order it, and prayed I would have amazing results. I received the product in April 2018. My scars were 7 months old now and I was convinced it was too late for any positive results. The day the formula arrived I started using it. I’ve been applying very little only once a day after a shower or bathing. The first three photos were taken six weeks after my procedure. The last two photos were taken today, ten months since my surgery and 3 months since I started using MD Performance. I’m sooo pleased with my results. It’s AMAZING!!!! If you’re having any reservations about purchasing look at my photos. It’s the real deal. My review is unsolicited.” – JaciiHenni
5. Skinuva Next Generation Scar Cream
My take: Developed by physicians, Skinuva scar cream is a reliable option for managing larger scar formations following surgery, trauma, or burns. The formula is dermatologically tested and trusted by medical professionals worldwide. It contains a Growth Factors complex of hyaluronic acid, aloe, centella asiatica, vitamin C, and silicone cream to promote fast skin rejuvenation
- Patented formula created by medical professionals
- Packed with healing and hydrating ingredients
- Appreciated by most of those who tried it
What I like: The patented formula is natural, 100% free of any harsh or drying chemicals and parabens
What I dislike: Skinuva cream is among the more expensive scar management options
User reviews:
User review: “I had a scar a few months ago, I slipped and got a cut close to my eye and my primary doctor recommended Skinuva— I had never heard about it so I used it religiously and I have to tell you i am shocked — I was so worried I was going to have this scar for the rest of my life being so close to my eye — but now you can’t even see it — this cream is absolutely amazing I have been recommending Skinuva to all my friends and even their kids, cause we all know how kids are they fall all the time and they have scars left and right —anyways by now you all know how excited I am about this cream and How grateful I am that my doctor recommended it to me !!” – Varina Mikhael
User review: “I wish I took a before photo as I’m impressed how well this cream worked. This was recommended by my surgeon, who’s one of the best in the country. I had fat transfer to my breasts. Leaving a scar under side of them. Within months of using this cream daily (apply once the incision is healed), I no longer have a visible scar. My post baby breasts don’t look so sad anymore. I would highly recommend.” – Marie K
User review: “I cannot say the product didn’t work because I used two days then broke out in hives which resulted in me being taken to the ER and given epinephrine and iv Benedryl. The product is not cheap and now I cannot get any money back for it plus I’m stuck with a hospital bill. All I can say is I’m sticking to Silagen, one ingredient….lesson learned.” – Amy
User review: “It’s magic. That’s all I can say. I will spend however much it costs to have this product. My best friends husband (a medical dermatologist) recommended this to me and I’ll never not have it.” – Emma
User review: “Helped flatten an unseemly scar from my shoulder to the crease of my arm from surgery of the humerus. I’ve been using it for a month and my PT folks are commenting on how well my scar is healing. They see a lot of scars so I am encouraged by this.” – Amazon Customer
User review: “I’ve been using Skinuva now for over a few months on my scar from surgery, and it continues to get better! This is my second purchase, and I’m really glad my doctor recommended this product.” – Lonnie E.
User review: “When I unboxed the product, The gel is all I’ve the bottle and the box. As I try to pump it, nothing come out. It is either an amply bottle or the pump doesn’t work. Very disappointed!” – Lulu
6. XScar Silicone Facial Scar Cream with Vitamin E
My take: The formula combines silicone, antioxidant ingredients, deep penetrating oils, and vitamins, aiming to restore damaged tissue and diminish the appearance of scars. (See detailed review)
- No odor, non-greasy formula for clear application
- Created by doctors
- Silicone-based cream, proven to perform better than silicone dressings
What I like: The formula is developed by doctors who were frustrated with the current scar treatments, so they decided to create a real evidence-based product
What I dislike: The company rebranded Scarless MD and decided the new name of the product should be XScar, and I believe it’s a bit confusing for consumers
User reviews:
Helphul review: “I’ve been using this for a few weeks and it’s working great. I just got top surgery / a bilateral mastectomy and the scars are already looking healthier. For me I can do one pump per scar (my scars are a bit long) along with a tiiiny pump for the scars where my drains came out. I run a little over my nipple grafts as well, just for giggles.My ONLY complaint would be how it has a slight perfume smell to it. Typically this isn’t a problem but if I’ve got a headache I cannot use it, I’m really sensitive to smells when I have headaches though.” – Rayneuki
User review: “My favorite! It cleared up red marks from pimples right away, I see progress on my 20+ year old scars. I only wish this product was around then. I love the feel of it and how quickly it absorbs so I started using it all over my face and body. My colleague noticed right away that my face was glowing. Us women tend to lose that around our 20s. I feel like I found the celebrity secret. Please keep the price affordable.” – Lauren Rider
User review: “I’ve been using it for almost 2 weeks and I’ve pleased with the progress so far… I didn’t expect to notice a difference in my scars so soon but I do!… will order more soon” – Andrea Pollard
User review: “Started using this cream on my scar from my spinal surgery 2 years ago to reduce what the scar looks like. So far a few weeks in I love the consistency of the cream: silky smooth, glides right on and absorbs really quickly, leaving a sheer cover that I use sunscreen on no top of it as it’s exposed. It leaves no residue and I’m extremely very happy with the products so far. It’s definitely high quality and being super sensitive to fragrance and highly allergic to many products this has been wonderful and have had no issues or reactions. I highly recommend this for scar tissue, as I’m seeing my scar texture decrease and feel more supple with use. Definitely a part of my daily regimen now.” – tiggergal77
User review: “I love this cream it’s smells like spring, very light natural fragrance. The product has a metered pump which I love. It is really light weight and absorbs into my skin leaving it smooth and silky.I have an old surgery scar on my shoulder as well as Skye acne scars on my face that I am applying it to. I did not have an allergic reaction which I was thankful about because my skin is very sensitive. This is a product that I will continue to Use.I highly recommend you try this product.” – CherylChef
User review: “I recently had surgery on my upper lip, and chest. My doctor recommended I get a silicone product to help heal and blend my new scars. I chose XScar Silicone Scar treatment with vitamin E. So far I am very pleased with XScar. I massage it into my scars, and the lotion disappears. In 2 days, I am already seeing a difference in my scars. They are healing nicely, and less noticeable.” – Vickie
User review: “Great product! I’ve used several scar creams, and this one beats them all. Also has helped lighten a few dark spots! I would highly recommend this product to anyone!” – Holly Moffitt
7. DERMA-E Scar Gel – Therapeutic Natural Scar Treatment for Face
My take: Panthenol (or vitamin B5) is very gentle to the irritated skin. It softens and smoothes the skin immediately upon application
- A formula enriched with allicin, allantoin, and antioxidants
- Flattens raised scars and evens out skin texture
- Super affordable and easy to use
What I like: Derma-E cream is 100% vegan and cruelty-free and does not contain parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, lanolin, gluten, or GMOs.
What I dislike: Should be applied 3 to 5 times daily to provide optimal effect, which I consider too overwhelming
User reviews:
Helpful review: “This may be a tough subject but if it helps anyone in the same situation it’s more than worth it.My oldest has struggled for some time with depression and self harm/cutting. As a parent it’s hard to see your kid struggle and you’d do anything to help. The scars were a hurdle. They’re an ever present reminder. Since the behavior is very much an addiction the reminder can be a trigger, like someone trying to quit smoking being around people smoking. Also, the scars and people’s reactions to them, can lead to feelings of worthlessness, failure, and hopelessness because you’ll never be free of the stigma that goes with it.So when he was ready I wanted to help him. I first got him Mederma, but the results were minimal, and he was left discouraged. I convinced him to try another go with a different product and got this. He immediately preferred it due to it not feeling greasy, and today we looked at the scars together and I was stunned how much they had improved. Many of the scars involved quite a bit of tissue damage and resembled surgical scars. Now the most improved are flush, light colored and reduced in size. At this rate it looks like the lightest scars may completely heal, and many more will not be noticeable at a glance.I am ordering the third batch now and looking forward to continued healing. As a parent I cannot express what this means to me. Please keep making this product; you’re literally changing lives.” – David J. Trevino
Helpful review: “When I was researching the various ingredients used in scar gels, I found Allantoin to be at the top of the list in terms of effectiveness – it’s hydrating and epithelizing / helps to grow new skin cells. I was excited to see that this natural skincare brand, DERM-E, carries a scar gel with both Allantoin and the emollient Panthenol, which binds to water but also seals in the cracks in the skin, keeping that water locked in. The combination of these ingredients together WORKS, at least in this DERM-E product.I bought this immediately after a dental surgery that left two cuts down the sides of my mouth – worried about scarring on my face, I began rubbing this in the spots as soon as it arrived. The scars never formed and the cuts healed very quickly. I use the gel similarly on other, older scars and raised area in every single one greatly reduced after just a few applications. Likewise, after I burned my finger, this gel calmed the burn area in the immediate aftermath when I couldn’t find an aloe-based product I was searching for. I highly recommend having this product on hand, and love DERM-E’s line of organic products with simple and non-GMO ingredients.” – Tanya Steple
User review: “Since throughout 2019-2022 I’ve been using several different products from natural to chemical but this product has been very effective and helped alot when i started my skincare journey even though i have a bit of pimples now and then but i just cover then with a pimple patch (probably becuase of sweets and greasy foods).I’m no happy that I’ve made it this far.❣️” – God’s Child
User review: “I purchased this the morning after a drunk night where I scraped a chunk of skin off my forehead . So my review is immediate use after the scab fell off . I used this religiously even when at times I thought it wasn’t working but HOLY S— YES ! It /WORKS/ ! I should have wrote this review sooner . My scar would have never been erased without this as I tend to get hyper pigmentation and have old dark scars lingering , but it buy it buy it , BUY IT ! As soooonn as you can ! AND STAY CONSISTENT ! If you don’t believe me the photos speak for themselves .” – Chanelle
User review: “Today marks the full two months since I started using this scar gel to minimize the ugly biopsy scar on my arm. I should not had gotten the stitches to begin with, since the biopsy wound was tiny, but my dermatologist stitched me up anyway. From day one, I’ve been using this gel faithfully every single day, applying it 5 to 8 times a day. The top part of the photo shows the exact moment my stitches were removed two months ago and the bottom one taken 5 minutes ago. I will go ahead and continue to apply this gel with the same intensity for a couple more months because I can tell that by doing so I will get even better results.” – iUser
User review: “Scars and pockmarks on my face and body that I’ve had for decades are finally gone, I’ve used expensive brands, chemical peels, and all the brand names and this jar of a brand I’ve never heard before got the job done in 2 weeks even though it says you might have to be 8 weeks for results. 2 WEEKS IS ALL IT TOOK TO GET RID OF DECADE OLD SCARS” – Maria V.
User review: “This product is awesome!!! I have been using it for a couple of months for acne scars and I have seen a huge reduction in scarring, depth of scars, and redness/color of scarring. My skin is smoother, the color is much more even, my skin never breaks out any more and the scars that I still have aren’t really noticeable. I use it a.m. and p.m. I had given up that anything would help my acne scars. I have tried tons of products. This product is amazing!!! You have to continue using it, though, or your skin starts reverting back to how it was before using this product. So, I hope they continue making this product for a long, long time.” – bkm61
8. Kelo-cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel
My take: Kelo-Cote Gel is completely transparent and made of 100% medical-grade silicone. My keloid (raised) scar is almost invisible after 3 months of application. Reviews report Kelo Cote is beneficial for hypertrophic scars, as well.
- 100% medical-grade silicone
- Fast absorption, completely transparent
- Protects the damaged area while improving the appearance of scars, dark marks, and other imperfections
What I like: It’s invisible so I can apply the product directly to my face
What I dislike: It takes more than 5 minutes to get completely absorbed
User reviews:
User review: “Update! This product is HANDS DOWN the best treatment for scars I’ve ever experienced. I’ve tried strips, and other “creams”, none have given me results like Kelo-cote. I had a large scar on my chest and this, I believe, was the most effective at keeping it; clean, protected, and moist. All the key elements for a strong, and diminished scar. I’m also in the health care field, and honestly would recommend this product at any moment if a person asked my opinion. The 60g tube will last you months. You only need to apply it at most twice daily, unless you’re washing it off for some reason. I had NO irritation with it whatsoever. And my scar was irritated from tape with the healing prior.Truly a fantastic investment in your health and skin!I’m happy to report that this is the same product that we have here in USA, but this is the EU version in packaging. Same ingredients. It applies very nicely straight from the tube and dries mostly in about 5 min, although is sticky upon touch. This is to be expected with the product. Directions state to apply day and night or twice daily. I would not apply this over open skin or where your surgeon/doctor hasn’t directed. I am using it on a 2 month old scar, but have been using the strips since 3 weeks out. The strips decreased redness substantially, but I haven’t noticed it come back since using this, which is great. I will periodically update.” – LW
User review: “I have some very noticeable hypertrophic scars which are around 4 years old so i decided to give this gel a go.Recommended use is for 3 months or until you no longer see any improvements. Well, I have been using it only for 1 month so far and I have already seen a noticeable difference. Even the worst of the scars is looking better! I’m so amazed and quite over-the-moon. Even if my scars are as good as they are going to get, they look so much better. No longer are they raised and silvery white, they are closer to my shade of skin colour than they have ever been. How they will look in another 2 months, i will just have to wait and see, but so far I am very impressed to say the least and the £70 was DEFINITELY well worth it!” – Weaver
User review: “Two operations in a few months on the same hip meant a 14 inch scar which began to keloid. After using this product for two months the redness has subsided and the keloid shrinking well. I would recommend this product to anyone for post surgery wound recovery. The scar remains soft and not sore with any stretching of the skin.” – Mr John G Ross
User review: “I am using Keto Gel after skin cancer surgery on my nose and by my right eye. I think it is doing what my doctor said it would do!!!You do have to put it on twice a day for about a year!!! To get the best results.I have been using it sense the end of March 2019.You also have to really have to massage the scars to break up the scar tissue that is very important!!!!” – Ronda Tarry
User review: “I was a bit skepitcal when I read about this cream however, it is a great choice. Very rarely do I give any product a 5 star rating but this product is a miracle worker.My scars started to disappear after one week, yes it’s expensive but it’s well worth the money you spend. If used everyday and as directed the product will last you easily three months. I would recommend this product to anyone and everyone.” – Sats
User review: “Produit recommandé par mon médecin pour accélerer la cicatrisation suite une intervention chirurgicale. Il ne suffit que de très peu de produit.Ce gel pour cicatrices est indiqué pour le traitement d’anciennes et de nouvelles cicatrices, incluant les cicatrices hypertrophiques et chéloïdes, résultant d’interventions chirurgicales, de traumatismes, de plaies et de brûlures.Kelo Cote permet de réduire la rougeur des cicatrices et il participe également à assouplir et atténuer les cicatrices en relief sur la peau.Résultat visible au bout de quelques semaines.” – Irène MELOT
User review: “This product works beautifully however I ordered the 60 gram tube from this seller and received the 6 gram tube in its place.” – Marc Caine
9. NewGel+E Advanced Silicone Scar Treatment Gel
My take: NewGel is a notable scar treatment option, combining siloxanes (silicones) and tocopherol (vitamin E). The compounds work together to diminish the appearance of existing scars while the antioxidant effect of vitamin E protects the area of free radicals. (See detailed review)
- Works on all types of scars
- Proven by clinical studies, trusted by hundreds of customers
- Contains Medical-grade Silicone gel + Vitamin E
What I like: It’s often recommended by plastic surgeons and doctors
What I dislike: The amount in the tube is 1 ounce (30g), which is enough for the entire treatment of a smaller scar but not for larger marks
User reviews:
Helpful review: “I used this 2 weeks after my Thyroidectomy. I was very happy with the results as you can see in My pictures. Photos are from 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 weeks post procedure. I used the NewGel cream on days I had to work or was going out and used the Newgel strips when I was home. I started using it once the dermabond came off my incision. Even my Doctor made a comment that my incision was less red and less swollen than he normally sees in his patients. I will continue to use both products over the next few months. My only complaint is that I wish the Gel had SPF in it.” – Julia M
Helpful review: “These pictures are one month apart…First couple weeks it seems like it’s not doing much, but when it starts to heal I could tell small improvements almost overnight.I put it on about three or four times day and took vitamin E gel caps, probably 5 a day too.This was a deep biopsy scar and it has about totally filled in… Thank God I found this .” – Irvin
User review: “This is the third product I tried for my very long scar and it seems to be working. I put it on twice a day and let it dry. It does take a few minutes but I’ve got my routine down now where I put it on and do the rest of my getting ready until it dries. It makes a film over the scars so it would be ideal for somebody who applies make up over it or sun screen.Update August 19, 2014I got more of a result in the first month than now that 6 months have passed since the surgery. There hasn’t been much progress for at least 2 months and I put it on faithfully every day. Will continue using it. It doesn’t take much for each application and so far I’ve used 1 15 and 1 30 gram tube. I’m hoping that it will improve more. The scar has flattened out some but has also become wider than it was.It does take quite a while for the gel to dry, at least 10 minutes, not so good if you’re in a hurry to get dressed. I still gave it 4 stars, down from 5 because improvement hasn’t continued much.” – Ursula
User review: “I used this product at night and the NewGel silicone strips during the day for about four weeks. I developed an allergic rash around my surgery incision, so my doctor had me stop using both products till it calmed down. A couple weeks later I tried the gel only and unfortunately the rash returned.I wanted to share this to warn that one can have an allergic reaction, but for the four weeks I did use it on my new surgery scar and some older scars it worked wonders – it definitely delivers smoothing and fading the scars as promised. My older scars from six months ago looked dramatically better within a week. I’m pretty disappointed I can’t keep using it!” – Amazon Customer
User review: “I slammed my head into the brick wall of the house tripping on flip flops and needed 24 stitches on my forehead. That was eight months ago and you can barely see anything. My dermatologist and doctor said, “time will help more than anything,” but I do feel that putting it on every morning and every night helped. And for the money, why not? I finished this bottle and am trying a different brand going forward just to see if there’s a difference. I also would recommend starting within the first 10 days (I waiting about 2-3 weeks before starting) if you get your doctor’s okay. But all in all, it helped with my stress over the scar and my mental health, so why not?” – Gary J and Stephan D
User review: “I bought this do to having a skin biopsy. A deep punch hole below my eye. A plastic surgeon would have cost a ton of money. I really wasn’t happy that the biopsy would leave deep pitting according to my dr. BUT…with this product I can say 100 percent it was worth every penny after seeing the results. There is only a tiny mark and a bit of redness after 6 weeks! This stuff is incredible! I tried to take a good picture of the end results. The little red spot at the top of my finger is all that’s left of a very deep punch biopsy. Amazing!!!” – Isen3
User review: “I had a disastrous “full body systemic reaction” to the Scar-Away strips. My doctor and I concluded that it was not the silicone but something in the adhesive strip part – so I had to do a 6-day Prednisone regimen (with its own issues) to get the toxicity out of my system. NewGel was recommended to me by a young woman who works in my office – her doctor had recommended it to her. I know vitamin E helps scars heals; so trying the NewGel+ seemed a good “next try step.” I was delighted when I had no adverse reaction to it! The product goes on smoothly, is hardly noticeable, and allows application of makeup or sun screen with no problem. My MOHs scar and Zyclara scar on my nose (including a deep, “crater” scar from the “aggressive” Zyclara treatment) are just about “invisible,” after 6 weeks of NewGel+. I highly recommend this product.” – BC
10. Mederma PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream
My take: The base ingredient in Mederma PM is Dimethicone, a silicone-based polymer used as a skin protectant; it prevents water loss by forming a hydrating barrier on the skin.
- Overnight scar cream, perfect for facial application
- A little goes a long way
- Reduces redness, irritation, and swelling
What I like: Apply Mederma PM before bed and wash the area in the morning. It is that simple. Plus, it works on both new and old scars. And the price. The price is awesome
What I dislike: Reviewers are saying they saw no effect after using Mederma PM religiously
User reviews:
Helpful review: “This is the second Mederma cream I purchased in order to treat and fade a 1-month old scar on my cheek. This review is for Mederma PM Scar cream, but I’ll make a few comments regarding the Mederma Advanced 1x scar gel. I bought both.Originally, I purchased rosehip oil from a herbalist store to treat the scar, while I looked for more specialized solutions online. The rosehip oil was around the same price but only had some minor effects to help the scar heal, nothing related to fading the reddish patch of skin from a newly formed car. Doing my research, I found Mederma products to have excellent ratings on several site,s including Amazon, I first purchased the Mederma Advanced Scar Gel (once-a-day application formula), which is also sold on this site. I used it daily for a month and a half and it is at that point that I started to see improvements. I normally used it at night, although that other product was not specifically promoted as a night application gel. I would like to reiterate, daily use was necessary and it takes patience to see the improvements.Since the first product was showing very good results, I made a decision in late December to purchase the Mederma PM gel product, since its ratings were even better. The chemical composition for both products is different, so I was certain that I wasn’t buying the same product twice.How to apply the gel and the cream:- Whether you purchase Mederma PM or the standard Mederma 1x Scar Gel, the leaflet or their website don’t quite explain which is the most efficient manner of using it. Some good-intentioned youtubers apply the product in a way that I believe is incorrect. I will summarize how I use it- You only need a small amount of gel/cream per application, just enough to cover the area of the skin you want to treat. If the scar is small, the tubes could last for a very long time. Based on my experience, I would suggest that you do not overspread the product over an area larger than what you are trying to heal/fade. When I really started seeing results was when I applied the product exclusively on the scar and di not touch it to flatten small little chunks that could have formed. If the layer seems a bit thicker that what you intended, just let it stay in place. Eventually, the cream flattens alone (same for the or gel, it happens with both Mederma products), and the area you ijntend to treat will receive the full benefits of its absorption.I have been using these products since November (a bit more than 2 months in total), I have not skipped them once, sometimes using both just once in different moments of the day: Mederma PM before going to bed, while I use Mederma Advanced 1x when I’m at home in the morning or afternoon. I can say the scar is very, very hard to notice now. A person who has beel following its evolution only notices some minor pink pigmentation because he knows it was there, the rest simply do not see anything on the skin surface. For a period of time, people I interacted with used to look at my scar, probably wondering what had happened to my cheek. Fortuntately, this awkard feeling of people staring at the scar is gone.I am planning to continue using Mederma PM for many more months, essentially until I finish the tube. If this progress after 2 months is any indication, my relatives will hardly remember I had that reddish minor burn scar on my cheek at all. The brand asks to be patient and wait at least 4 months for new scars, and much longer for old scars. All I can say is that it has done a great job in 2 months, and it can only get slightly better from now on.” – Pablo Dominguez Diaz
Helpful review: “This product truly changed my life. I don’t usually write reviews but I felt so compelled to and I’m so grateful for this product that I had to. I’m only sorry I didn’t take before and after pictures of my face while using this product… the reason being nothing has ever worked for me (home remedies, dermatologist antibiotics, over the counter medicines, etc etc etc).I’m 24 years old and have always struggled with anxiety and minor acne. Part of having the two was a very bad skin picking habit and this always left scars on my face. For as long as I can remember (starting in MIDDLE SCHOOL), I wore makeup to cover it up; very counter-productive as makeup leads to more breakouts, but it was my only saving grace to hide the scars. I learned to hate makeup because it was a chore and it wasn’t me…it felt fake. I had to wear it to the gym, I wore it to bed so my boyfriend wouldn’t see my face if he woke up before me, I had to wear it to the beach and water parks and neglect myself of getting a decent tan – all of these things other girls didn’t have to wear makeup for but I had to. I was ashamed, I cried, I couldn’t stand looking at myself in the mirror. There were days more often than not that I couldn’t even leave my house. I begged my dermatologist to do surgery. I begged for a miracle cream…nothing seemed to help me.I came across this product on Amazon one day – not even sure how I came across it but after reading the reviews, I gave it a shot. I was desperate because my boyfriend’s family invited me to go camping for a week and god knows there was no way makeup was going to fly.In a week of using this product, my skin became bearable to look at. A month later, I’m not even using coverup to hide a blemish or a scar. There is still some VERY faint evidence of scarring but not unless you examine my fave thoroughly. This has literally saved my life. It gave me motivation to keep my hands away from my face as I was FINALLY seeing progress. My anxiety about my face is gone. I’ve gone to Splish Splash and the beach without makeup. My face actually got a TAN.All I can say is this product is gold. Thank you for giving me my life back.” – Amazon Customer
Helpful review: “The active ingredient in this cream is Dimethicone 2.0%. This ingredient is a silicone oil used in many different products with a percentage strength variance of Dimethicone 2.0% to Dimethicone 6.0%.For skin care products, this product fills in uneven texture and fine lines, which helps create a smooth look in products like primers, foundations, and lotions. It also provides a protective cover on the skin, which is supposed to help keep moisture in, leaving skin hydrated for longer.Dimethicone 2.0% covers the skin. Manufacturers tout this as a benefit. It’s like having a thin, rubber-like cover over your face all night. However, this product neither feels slimy nor stains the pillows.Hence, if you only use this product, you are missing out on moisturizing ingredients like natural oils, extracts, and shea butter and you’re interfering with the skin’s natural process of : sweating, temperature regulating, and sloughing off dead skin cells. So, I use this at night and natural ingredients during the day. Since using the product at night, my scars from having a very bad case shingles on the head are getting better. I moved up to Dimethicone 6.0%. in another product and have seen even better scar results. The product is:Coloplast Sween 24 Once a Day Moisturizing Body Cream For Normal, Dry, Flaky and Itchy Skin (2) 5oz Tubesby Sween 24I neither work for these companies nor get paid to write Amazon reviews. This cream works well, but there are other products with the same active ingredient, higher active ingredient strengths, less marketing and a decreased cost based on product volume at the time of this writing.” – RSB
User review: “I read every review, and after long deliberation, I decided to try this. I Have spent a lot of money on scar treatments. I am so glad I found this!!First, I am such a skeptic about these creams. I ride a motorcycle, and someone tossed a cigarette out, which got caught in my helmet. By the time I was able to safely pull over, and get it off, I had endured 1st degree burns, leaving a cars on my cheek that I have been fighting covering for over four years. I have tried many things, scar treatments, makeup to cover, and even talking to a dr about laser treatment. Nothing was helping.I had given the up, then got a position teaching college, and decided to research possible treatments again.I tried this. I expected NO results, especially after it saying old scars could take up to six months.I am three weeks into the first tube, and the scar is less than half the size it was before, and so much lighter that I can leave the house without make up. Friends haven commented on the improvement!I will buy another tube for the scar on my arm from another situation. My oldest son has bad acne, and has started using it. We know acne scars are the worst for recovery…… l swear …his face shows a HUGE improvement after only a few weeks. So much so that his dr has actually recommended this product to other patients!!!I even began using this on an acne scar on my chest, and it’s showing the SAME results that I have seen from the burn on my cheek!! And this scar is more than 7 years old!I will say, every person is different. But, I have seen amazing results. I have not been asked to write a rating, offered a discount for my opinion, or anything…..this is my honest opinion for the product.” – Kindle Customer
User review: “All of my scars have been keloid, I am not without examples of how bad they ended up. I wrecked an ATV and had my face rebuilt, while not a vain person, I did not want the scars on my face to look like the rest of my collection. I began using Mederma just as my stitches came out as advised. The first picture is just after surgery, the second, at almost exactly three months. I also posted a picture of my forearm from a previous surgery years ago, that incision looked just as good as my forehead the day of surgery, but I never treated it. This product works.” – Brian Tucker
User review: “I tried another more expensive brand on my dark brown skin prior with no results so I was a little skeptical about trying this one.I have been using this product on a small burn scar (length of a dime) on my right arm for 2 months and have seen a drastic improvement. It is even working on a larger scar (size of a quarter) that I have on the same arm from years ago. You must follow the directions that come with this product to see results. Results do take time to become noticeable. I first started results after 3 weeks of use. The cream has a pleasant fragrance to it and provides the right amount of moisture.” – GermanShepherdMom
User review: “I feel like this isn’t even a fair review because I have only been using this product for 6 DAYS. I have struggled with terrible cystic and stress/hormonal acne since I was 12. I tried EVERYTHING, accurate didn’t even work on me. I wish I had old photos but I never took them without makeup so I don’t even have a reference to go by. My skin finally calmed down when I reached about 28-29 and now that I’m 30, I very very rarely get pimples but I am left with so much scarring. The first pictures I took after 1 day of using and I swear I already saw a difference in my hyperpigmentation after just one night of use. The second pictures are 5 DAYS LATER. I am absolutely amazed by this product and am very anxious to see how it looks in a month as a lot of these scars are years, maybe over a decade old. I touch my face and it feels smooth, even the texture is improving. I could cry, I’m so happy I found this product. Thank you Maderma!!!!!Also, I find it best to put this on before bed and then apply rose hip oil afterwards to keep your skin from feeling tight. It’s an amazing combo! I also use the rose hip oil in the morning with spf.” – Mandi S
11. SkinMedica Scar Recovery Gel
My take: Centelline-based, doctor-recommended formula. Centelline is a proprietary blend comprising Centella Asiatica, Bulbine frutescens, and Oleuropein. The product is appreciated by most of those who tried it. Within 3 to 4 weeks, users report amazing effects – scars greatly diminish in size, while the discolorations (redness or brown marks) fade.
- High-quality performance in the management of severe scars
- Potent blend boosting skin regeneration
- Improves the appearance of scars within a short period
What I like: Scar Recovery Gel absorbs quickly into the skin without leaving a sticky residue. Over 90% of people who bought this scar gel left super positive feedback after using the product for 1 or 2 months
What I dislike: The price seems a bit higher compared to similar products
User reviews:
Helphul review: “The key to this product working is to be consistent. Use a very small amount to lightly cover the scar twice a day. The photos were taken just 12 weeks apart. I am impressed! It does not smell and did not give me any issue at all.” – Amazon Customer
User review: “My scar is from a mastectomy so it is very long. my granddaughter’s surgeon recommended this. My surgeon recommended vitamin e oil. I tried both. I think this is better than vitamin e but have found something better, Scarguard MD. It is really good although it stinks like rubber cement. Scar recovery gel is odorless.” – RJD
User review: “This product really works! I started using it on my c-section scar 6 weeks postpartum at the recommendation of my doctor. This was my second c-section and I definitely notice a difference in the appearance of my scar vs the first time around when I did not use it. I highly recommend this product!!” – User7
User review: “This product is a miracle. If you have acne prone skin and/or pick at your skin, this is a God send for acne that has scabbed over. I’ve tried so many high-end products to heal blemishes that have formed a scab or will not heal. This gel is exactly what I needed to finally heal.” – Shoegal694
User review: “There is very little product in the tube. Once it’s is gone (which will be soon) I will cut open the tube and investigate. Very disappointed especially at the price. Would not purchase again.” – Nana
User review: “I saw a big change within 3 weeks. I had a deep dark spot the size of about half of a dime and it’s almost gone. It does work terrific. I also used a spot remover called “Top Care Spot corrector” that has vitamin C and a few other natural ingredients to help as well but I would highly recommend SkinMedica Scar Recovery Gel for those who want to get rid of those tough spots. It takes about 4-5 weeks to see dramatic results but be patient and you shall have the reward. :)” – Amazon Customer
User review: “I purchased this after a very extensive facial surgery- I also tried another brand ( Moderna ) This is by far the best! My scar is barely noticeable. I have been very diligent using twice a day for the last 4 MO. Smell isn’t as bad as described in other reviews. Only takes a small amount easily put on with the applicator tip or q-tip.. I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this with the price” – Happy shopping
A note on price
When it comes to scar removal creams, the price aspect is not always definitive for the quality of the product. You can find either cheaper or more expensive options that are equally effective – it all depends on the quality of the ingredients used and the tolerance of your skin.
Q&A
Q: Why does the skin on a scar appear so different from the rest of our skin?
A: As soon as a wound is present, the body forms new collagen fibers to restore the damage, resulting in a scar formation. The newly formed scar tissue has a different texture and quality than the surrounding skin. They can have different textures, colors, and integrity.
Q: Do scar creams work?
A: A wound that stays wet without making a dry crust is less likely to leave a scar. This concept is behind all products, aiming to eliminate scars – keeping the area well moisturized while protecting it from environmental contaminants.
It has been proven that if the wound is kept moist and covered all the time, the tendency to form bad scars decreases. Most effective scar creams do the same thing while making the scars softer, smoother, and less noticeable.
Scars appear when forming new connective tissue, and recovering the damaged one can sometimes take a little longer than expected. Most scar creams promote wound healing while improving their overall appearance, color, and texture.
Most scar creams promote wound healing while improving their overall appearance, color, and texture.
Q: How long does it take for scar creams to work?
A: It depends on multiple factors, but the most important one is whether the scar is newly formed or it is older than 2 years. For fresh scars, the first visible improvements require no more than 2-3 weeks. Older scar formations require prolonged application until they fade and diminish in size. Sometimes, it takes 6-8 weeks to a year.
Q: What is the proper way to use a scar cream?
A: Each scar-fading product comes with how-to-use directions. Following those directions guarantees optimal results. Most creams require 2x daily application.
Q: What types of scars can be diminished by scar creams?
A: Scar creams can reduce the appearance of scars from surgical wounds, scars following an injury, acne scars, and stretch marks.
Keloid scars are harder to improve after applying a scar cream, though this method is quite successful when there’s a newly formed keloid scar.
Silicone-based creams, gels, and sheets are clinically proven to greatly improve the condition of freshly formed scars and scars following surgical interventions.
Q. Will a scar removal cream make my scar disappear completely?
A: Unfortunately, scars can’t disappear completely. However, the proper and timely treatment can make the mark barely visible, so, the sooner you start taking care of the damaged tissue, the better the aesthetic appearance of the scar.
Q: How often should I apply a scar removal cream?
A: Each scar cream should be applied as directed, usually 2 times a day – in the morning and before bedtime.
Q: Silicone-based vs. Water-based
A: Silicone-based creams, gels, and sheets are widely used to manage hypertrophic and keloid scars. Silicone forms a thin, flexible sheet over the
newly epithelialized wound or a more mature scar, keeping it moisturized and protected.
Water-based formulas are effective for the hydration of the damaged tissue, which is helpful during the regeneration process. However, such formulas allow the penetration of bacteria and various pollutants, which is something to avoid.
Scarring is a normal part of the healing process
Every wound, except for the smallest ones, will leave a scar on the skin. Although scars often appear thicker than the surrounding skin, the tissue is weaker. Scars are a normal part of the healing process, and everyone has at least one.
Scars need different kinds of attention
Since the structures and characteristics of different scar types vary, the treatment required is also different.
- Hypertrophic scars
These scars occur after surgeries, accidents, injuries, and skin diseases, especially acne. Hypertrophic scars are reddish-bluish bumps that are the size of the skin defect. They never itch or hurt. Fortunately, these scars disappear after months or years, even without a particular therapy. Anti-scar creams and sheets fasten the recovery process and reduce the healing time
- Scar keloids (raised)
Keloid scars differ due to their tendency to become larger over time, significantly exceeding the initial size of the skin defect. Like benign tumors, they grow over time to a size that is difficult to predict. As they develop, keloid scars can hurt or itch with varying intensity, often causing significant discomfort. Proper and timely treatment is recommended. Surgical scar removal is often administrated, and post-operative scar management in the form of silicone-based gels or creams is usually prescribed
- Scar contractures (burns)
Treating scars after a burn is difficult, time-consuming, and sometimes frustrating because there is no universal treatment. Combination therapy with moisturizing agents and/or injections and dermatological lasers is usually administrated.
You can’t control every part of scarring
Keep in mind that the development of a scar does not completely depend on the size and severity of the wound. Other factors are even more determined, such as your age, your skin type, and your lifestyle (this includes your diet, whether you are a smoker or not if you have specific health conditions, and many other factors)
Ingredients to look for in an effective scar cream
- Silicone
The technology of this pharmaceutical ingredient smoothes and softens the scar tissue [1], helping to fade and erase new and old scars. It can be used as a preventative therapy on closed wounds to minimize scarring or after laser treatment.
- Vitamin A
Retinoid [2] means the compound vitamin A – retinol and its derivatives. Their properties to refresh and renew the skin to fight inflammation, dryness, and wrinkles make them popular, but their most famous пропертъ is that they provide a strong healing effect on damaged tissue.
- Vitamin C
Vitamin C provides a strong lightening effect [3] to hyperpigmented skin, It boosts skin cell turnover and has an exfoliating effect
- Vitamin E
While looking for a good cream for scars, make sure Vitamin E [4] is one of the ingredients existing in the formula. Vitamin E aids the body to heal open or closed injuries whilst speeding up the level of cell regrowth inside of all skin layers.
- Glycerin
This compound [5] soothes and moisturizes without the unpleasant sensation of grease that creates the oils, even the lightest ones, and it also creates an invisible protective layer against the aggression of the environment.
- Allantoin
Allantoin [6] is a good alternative to urea. It was originally a plant metabolic product, but today, it is produced synthetically. It relaxes dead skin cells and promotes the flow of sebum, thus being especially suitable for cosmetics for oily, problem skin. In addition, allantoin is thought to help with wound healing, skin smoothing, and cell regeneration but has a slightly lower moisture-binding effect than urea.
- Copper Peptide
Some of the popular scar creams use copper peptides [7] in their formulas to improve the elasticity of the skin and the scar tissue during the regeneration process. It can be used with little to no side effects for a long period.
References
- The Efficacy of Silicone Gel for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids
- The Role of Topical Retinoids in Prevention and Treatment of Atrophic Acne Scarring
- Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications
- The effects of topical vitamin E on the cosmetic appearance of scars.
- The effect of moisturizers or creams on scars
- Effect of allium cepa-allantoin-pentaglycan gel on skin hypertrophic scars
- Copper Peptides in Acne Scars
- Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Plant Oils
- Rose geranium essential oil as a source of new and safe anti-inflammatory drugs
Last update on 2023-12-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API