The Truth about Scar Treatment

New Website About Scar Treatment

2011-10-04T05:29:00.000-07:00

I just started a new website about scar treatment. The reason I did this is to inform people about the subject. You might ask, "yet another website? Aren't there enough already?". Well, there are many sites on the subject, yes that's true. But there aren't so much that inform you about what really works and what not.

It's just a sad truth that most products don't work. Another thing that invokes confusion among people who want to reduce the appearance of their scars is that many medical experts do not agree on which treatment should be followed.

In fact there is even misinformation among too many doctors, nurses, and even dermatologists. When visitors of my other website tell me their doctor advised them to use vitamin E on their scars I cringe a bit.

Not only do scientific studies show this is not effective, it has also been demonstrated to possibly worsen scars because of skin irritation. This is the same for a plethora of other treatments. Both botanical, herbal, natural, as well as other, commercial, types.

Cricital note: I'm not a medical professional. I am only an informed consumer who tried several products and therapies and eventually started writing about this subject.

For more info check out my new website: Treatment of Scars.

Scar Tissue Removal Creams

2011-09-28T11:21:00.000-07:00

I have scars on my face, neck, back, chest, and arms. Most of them are surgical scars. These scars can be improved but they will never fade completely. This I knew up front when I started searching for a therapy that works.

When I typed in 'cream for scar' in my search engine so much different advice turned up that I didn't know what to believe. Hey, that's nothing new on the internet right? Well, it's about time the truth about home scar remedies is ventilated more. That's why I started to write about it myself.

Since the nurses, doctors, and surgeons in the hospital couldn't tell me which product would be the most effective I had to walk other pathways. I searched on Google Scholar for clinical trials and other studies.

Some of their conclusions are contradictionary. But eventually it seemed clear to me that there are potent over the counter scar therapies. Apart from massaging, keeping them protected against solar radiation, moisturizing there seems to be an effective modality: silicone gel patches.

They have been used by various medical institutions for decades with success. Only since a few years silicones became available for the general public. Popular brands are ScarAway (formerly known as Neosporin), Kelo-cote, Curad, and Cica Care.

Popular ointments such as those based on vitamin E and onion extract do not seem to help. At least not according to available studies and papers published on this particular matter.

Type in'silicone scar' in the search box below to find a wide selection of well-reviewed scar removal lotions.

Amazon.com Widgets

The Use of Pressure Garments in Scar Treatment

2010-12-23T03:57:00.000-08:00

Pressure garments are pieces of elastic clothing such as socks, sleeves, pantyhose, socks, and masks that provide support.

They are, for example, used after(cosmetic) surgery to prevent the development of excessive scar tissue. But there are other benefits:

Benefits of the pressure applied on fresh wounds and scars 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.

Read more about post surgery compression garments.

Milk Heals Skin and Possibly Scars?

2010-12-23T03:39:00.000-08:00

Are there any scientific backgrounds to Cleopatra bathing in milk? According to doctor Timothy Rayner there are.

It turns out milk really does have a lot to do with healing skin, particularly in burns patients. And milk seems to benefit not just wound healing but also (potentially) scar healing.

Dr Timothy Rayner and his team discovered that it stimulated skin cells to produce collagen. They went looking for the responsible agent and found a protein molecule that not only promotes collagen production, but also has the potential to increase the speed with which new tissue is formed.

Read the whole interview on the National Health and Medical Research website of the Australian government.

How To Prevent Scars after Mole Removal

2010-12-15T04:37:00.000-08:00

Mole removal is commonly done by excision, cauterization (burning), and in some cases laser although this has shown to be less effective. The depth of a mole determines which treatment is most suitable. (Laser doesn't penetrate deep enough to treat most moles efficiently.)

As a result of a rather deep incision or burn mark scars will develop. As with any type of wound, how you take care of it is of major influence to the creation of scar tissue. The use of (normal) moisturizing agents, silicone gels, and if necessary natural products that fight of and prevent infections (e.g. Medihoney) can significantly influence the final appearance of a scar.

Visit this post to read more about mole removal scar treatment

Mederma for Kids Review

2010-12-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

Mederma for Kids is according to manufacturer Merz Pharmaceuticals 'the first and only' scar treatment product dedicated to children. The cream is advertised as it should help soften and smooth old and new scars. During application it's purple which fades quickly and should be of attraction to children. I can imagine it does but more importantly, does Mederma for Kids do what it says? Does it really work?

We can't determine with complete certainty. The main, active ingredient of this particular scar cream is the botanical extract Allium cepa which is onion extract. As far as I know there have been done two clinical studies on this component. One concluded that there was no benefit. The other showed some effect on collagen creation (scar tissue consists mainly of collagen). But the latter was a study conducted on rabbit ears.

I also found an article referring to a study but no PubMed or other source. This study concluded that scars treated with Mederma were significantly softer in appearance. So in conclusion, there's no evidence it works, but no real evidence it does not.

Anecdotal reports on the other hand are promising. Many who have used Mederma, or Mederma for Kids are positive. But this is the case for vitamin E as well. Which is disencouraged to use on scars because it does not work and may cause skin irritation and even worsen scars.

These reviews on SkinStore.com show how mixed the opinions are:

Great stuff - 3/25/2008 My son was 10 months old when he had a severe facial laceration...he looks almost like it didn't happen now, the dr. gave us this to use and I attruibute this to a good surgeon and Mederma

Disappointing - 11/23/2007 I bought this for my daughter who was bitten by a dog. She used it religiously as stated on the pack, but there was no change. Her scars are still very red and she is has become very self conscious. A waste of time and money.

In conclusion: Mederma for Kids may be helpful for some scars on some kids. Whether the effects are due to massaging the gel into the tissue or actual effective products remains to be seen. Personally I would rather use Vaseline which has shown to be just as effective (or even slightly more) in one study. Experts think this may have to do with its hydrating qualities. For a proven effective product use silicone sheets or gels. These are still the only backed by science products available.

The ingredients of Mederma for Kids are:

Water (Purified), PEG-4, Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Fragrance, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, D&C Violet No. 2, FD&C Red No. 4.

Mederma for Kids vs. Mederma
I think it's good to point out that these are the exact same ingredients as in Mederma. The additional ingredients are the colors added. Consequently the scent of both products is the same.

Prevent Scars after Surgery with Juvista

2010-12-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

Juvista is a medicine that has to be launched yet. This drug, manufactured by biopharmaceutical product company Renovo is currently in its testing phase.

The first results from clinical studies are promising. The drug, which is administered by injection just before a surgery has shown to improve the healing process and diminish scarring.

Renovo is currently developing a variant 'specially designed for children'.

Here's a report on the Juvista trial. (pdf)

Scar Treatment for Kids

2010-12-09T03:52:00.000-08:00

Kids are playful. Now and then they play rough and especially the youngest are a bit unsteady. So they get injured relatively often. That's just part of childhood.

As parents we may worry about wounds that will lead to scars. We are afraid our offspring may get self-conscious because of prominent scars. That's why it's good to know how to get the best home scar treatment for our children.

A few things are essential. First of all wound care. The better a wound heals the less scarring will generally occur. Scabs are detrimental, they lead to scar creation. Especially when they are picked off by kids. Which they like to do.

Immature scars (up to 1-2 years) should always be protected against the sun. Massage and some, proven effective products can also make a difference. Read this article on scar treatment for children to learn more.

Tummy Tuck Scars

2010-05-26T05:09:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the treatment of tummy tuck scars a few things are essential. Very briefly summarized it all comes down to; optimal wound healing, reduction of tension, hydration, and silicones.

A rapidly healing wound without complications is less likely to evolve into a problematic scar.

Tension on a scar in one axis will result in a stretched scar. Tension from many directions or intermittently will result in a hypertrophic scar.

"Hydration is a second beneficial influence on scar control and is the basis of the use of silicone sheeting and gel." (source)

The use of surgical tape, silicone strips, wound dressings, and compression garments can really make a difference when it comes to tummy tuck scars. Learn more about the best tummy tuck scar treatment in this extensive article.

7 C-Section Scar Healing Tips

2010-02-22T06:03:00.000-08:00

C-section scars are the result of the vertical incision made during the caesarian birth procedure and are generally about 4 to 6 inches long. How wide it is depends on how well it is treated, how healthy someone lives, genetics, and how well the wound heals. The scar is located on the lowest part of the tummy, just above the pubic bone. Because of its location it is mostly covered by underwear or clothes but nevertheless realizing the best scar appearance possible is important to most of us.

Tip 1: Keep the c-section wound clean and prevent infections.
Keeping the surgical wound clean is the first step into providing the best circumstances for optimal scar healing. The use of wound dressings based on medical honey is increasing. There is a growing amount of very convincing evidence on its efficacy. And even better, there are no side effects. Ask your surgeon or doctor about these dressings. (they are also available on Amazon
)

Tip 2: Use a supportive c-section compression belt.
In some cases a supportive elastic belt is provided by the hospital. It provides compression which has shown to benefit wound healing and offers comfort and support to the patient. Compression also seems to aid with scar healing so the use of such a C-Section compression binder could be prolonged until after the wound has closed and when a scar has formed.

Tip 3: Treat c-section scar contractions by massage.
It might happen that a scar becomes (partially) contracted. The cause generally is a clutter of dense collagen in the dermis underneath the scar. Scar contraction can be prevented by the aforementioned pressure therapy. Massage is a common used way to dissolve the withered tissue. Gently massaging the tissue two times daily in upward circular movement should result in improvement.

Tip 4: Use silicone gel sheets.
Especially suited for surgical scars, preventing hypertrophic and keloid scar tissue development and treating it as well. This is the only topical treatment proven effective. Makes scars softer, flat, and tones them down into a more skin-like color.

Tip 5: Avoid heavy exercise.
Even when the wound is closed and the scar is already a few months old it still is in development. Overstretching by e.g. heavy exercise can make scars wider.

Tip 6: Do not expose your c-section scar to sunlight or sunbeds.
The radiation will make the scar worse. Always apply a strong sunscreen.

Tip 7: Do not smoke.
Smoking is very detrimental to the skin and scars in particular. Try quitting or cut back on smoking as much as possible.

Tummy Tuck Scar Info

2010-01-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

"Abdominoplasty or "tummy tuck" is a cosmetic surgery procedure used to make the abdomen more firm. The surgery involves the removal of excess skin and fat from the middle and lower abdomen in order to tighten the muscle and fascia of the abdominal wall. This type of surgery is usually sought by patients with loose tissues after pregnancy or individuals with sagging after major weight loss." source: Wikipedia

After a tummy tuck surgery scars will develop. That's inevitable. Different variations of this procedure result in different scar locations. Questions rising are for example how to accomplish optimal recovery, what is the best way to care for my wounds, has anyone some good scar healing tips, where do I find information on compression garments? And so on this and information on the incisions and scars, therapies and reviews can be found here.

Wikipedia also offers some before and after pictures including photos of the fresh scars.

Padma Lakshmi's Scar

2010-01-14T07:06:00.000-08:00

Padma Lakshmi , the beautiful author of cookbooks, actress and model is famous for being the hostess of the reality TV program Top Chef. A question asked many times is how does Padma Lakshmi get the scar between her shoulder and elbow?

The ex wife of Salman Rushdie was involved in a car accident in 1984, she was 14 years old at that time. The accident caused an injury to her right arm and surgery was required. This procedure left a the 7-inch scar.

The accident occurred when Padma and her parents were on their way home from a visit to a Hindu temple in Malibu. The collision resulted in a launch of the car they were in. In an interview with Vogue Magazine Lakshmi said: "Flying in a car felt like an exhilarating hallucination, an unbelievable ride that oddly remains one of the most beautiful images in my memory."

On the David Letterman Show she said: "Women are beautiful in all shapes and colors and sizes. It's one of the reasons that I show my scar. To me it's a mark of survival. I like my scar and think it's interesting and I wouldn't take it off even if I could."

To me this shows one of the crucial aspects of dealing with scars. You can improve them (something Padma obviously didn't feel the urge to) but you can't get rid of them completely.

Because they will always be a part of you coping with your scar is an important element in the total process of dealing with your scar. Opinions like Padma Lakshmi's can be of support to those of us who have difficulty with the fact they are scarred. I have been there and know how difficult this can be. But eventually time will heal not only your scar but your damaged self image as well.

Advice on how to prevent a scar from becoming widened and big can be found here.

Breast Reduction Scars

2010-01-13T05:16:00.000-08:00

Breast reduction scars can't be avoided. Every surgery will leave scars*. The amount and severeness of scarring after a breast reduction procedure depends on the exact type of surgery. Different surgery techniques involve different incisions thus different scars. The two most common are the vertical scar and the keyhole scar. The depth of surgical incisions results in a relative high occurrence of hypertrophic or keloid scar development.

There is also the option of so called 'no scar breast lift' but this procedure (suction mammaplasty) is only available to a very select group of patients. Note: this procedure also requires small incisions which will leave scars.

For the most optimal results it is strongly recommended to start with taking action as soon as possible. The first step is to make sure wound healing goes as prosperous as possible. Consult your surgeon or dermatologist about Medihoney dressings or other wound care products that speed and enhance wound healing. Advantages of such products are they diminish the risk of infections and inflammation which are major factors in scar development.

After wound closure silicone gel dressings are the best way to treat breast reduction (mammoplasty) scars. These dressings are the most accepted therapy for surgical scars. There are specialized breast reduction scar shaped sheets available. (e.g. radial, arc, and anchor shape)

Other measures are scar massage, hydration, avoiding sunshine, and maintaining a healthy life style which includes cutting back on alcohol intake and smoking cigarettes.

For additional information on types of breast reduction surgeries and scars, animations of the procedure, experiences with this type of scar treatment, tips and more visit this page on mammoplasty scars.

Topical Vitamin E and Silicone Scar Treatment

2009-12-01T12:38:00.000-08:00

According to the Topical Treatments for Hypertrophic Scars report the combination of topical vitamin E with silicone sheets is effective:

When used in conjunction with silicone gel sheets, however, vitamin E has been shown to improve pre-existing hypertrophic scars. In all, 38 patients (95%) who received silicone gel sheets with added vitamin E improved by at least 50% with respect to color, size, and cosmetic appearance, whereas only 30 patients (75%) using silicone gel sheets alone improved at least 50% after 2 months of treatment.56 This study led to the conclusion that the combination of vitamin E and silicone gel sheeting is beneficial in hypertrophic scar treatment, possibly as a result of a synergistic effect.

More scar treatment information on stem cell scar creams and other therapies.

Scar Removal with Silicone Strips

2009-11-26T04:34:00.000-08:00

A person's age, life style, race, genetics (being prone to scarring might run in the family), the location on the body and overall skin properties, the intensity of the injury, the quality of the wound healing process, possible infections all are factors affecting scar development. Some of them can be influenced and controlled.

A healthy life style will help. Eating a well balanced diet, drinking enough, avoiding excessive alcohol intake and last but not least not smoking because smoking really is detrimental to the skin and to scar development in particular.

The wound healing process can be controlled by efforts to avoid or treat infections. Medical honey wound gels and dressings show to be a very effective wound treatment and some special types of honey are even thought (by researchers) to minimize scarring.

How the most accepted, most scientifically proven scar improving product, silicone gel strips, exactly works remains unclear. There are several hypotheses.

Studies have shown that silicone gel strips do not change temperature, pressure, or oxygen tension of the scar tissue. The strips (dressings) have an evaporative water loss almost half that of skin and have been compared with the outermost layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum).

Many researchers believe that silicone acts by creating an occluded, hydrated environment that decreases the blood flow in the smallest blood vessels (capillary activity), thereby reducing the collagen deposition which leads to (hypertrophic) scar development.

More Scar Treatment Advice

2009-11-24T13:06:00.000-08:00

More thorough, detailed and founded information on how to improve scar appearance will be available soon on my new blog: scartreatmentblog.com

Here I will post regularly on topics like the difference between polyurethane and silicone dressings. Whether or not topical vitamin A is an effective and proven scar removal method and so on. I will also post summaries of the most renowned study reports.

Acne Scar Treatment & Prevention

2009-11-20T07:49:00.000-08:00

Acne is a skin condition occurring by up to 80% of people during adolescence. Acne lesions are also called blemishes, zits, pimples or spots.

Severe acne can cause inflammatory which can result in permanent disfiguring scars. There are three types of acne scars, rolling (give the facial surface a wave-like appearance), icepick (most common, indented scars), and boxcar scars (look like chickenpox scars).

In order to be able to choose the right treatment it is recommended to determine the type of scar. Some effective post-acne treatments are a laser treatment, subcision, dermabrasion, photo therapy (blue and red light), oral and topical antibiotics and retinoids.

Treat Acne with Honey
Of course the best option is to treat the acne when it appears. The antibacterial and antimicrobial properties of some medicinal honey types are promising regarding this matter. Apart from these traits, the acidic and osmotic properties could benefit acne treatment.

Many positive reviews on Acne.org show honey really can help people treat their acne effectively. Not all honey's will do though. The honey from a indigenous New Zealand bush called Manuka honey has the most powerful properties.

Make sure to buy Manuka honey with an UMF rating of at least 10+ (preferably 15+ to 20+) for the best results. There are specialized medical creams available. Many just use a normal UMF jar. Since it works for many it might be worth a try. Only downside is that it is a bit sticky and messy.

Stretch Marks are 'Internal' Scars

2009-11-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

Striae or stretch marks are scars that appear deeper in the tissue than 'normal' scars. Conventional scars develop in the top layer of the skin (epidermis) Stretch marks occur in the dermis which is a deeper layer of the skin.

Because of this distinction a different treatment of stretch marks is recommended. In fact treatment is even more difficult because of the difficult accessibility of this type of damaged skin. Visit this page for more info on stretch marks.

Polyurethane vs Silicone Dressings Part 2

2009-10-01T04:27:00.000-07:00

In a former post I addressed the question which would be a better scar treatment, polyurethane dressings or silicone scar sheets. Research shows polyurethane dressings also reduce color, prominence and hardness of mature hypertrophic scars.

Researchers have also concluded that the effects of polyurethane dressings on the development of new hypertrophic scars are not clear. Actually it is not sure if these dressings improve or worsen fresh (or yet to develop) scars. But they also concluded this product may improve the appearance of mature scars.

Conclusion is that currently, the most accepted treatment for old and new hypertrophic scars is silicone gel sheeting. Silicone ointment or gel alone, however, is less effective than silicone sheeting. More about my experiences with silicone scar products.

source: Topical treatments for hypertrophic scars
Joanna M. Zurada, AB,a David Kriegel, MD,b and Ira C. Davis, MDc

What Fades Dark Spots?

2009-09-20T06:19:00.000-07:00

The annoying dark spots on the skin, called 'post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation' by dermatologists can be faded. These spots are generally caused by excessive melanin production due to a normal reaction of the skin when it becomes inflamed, such as after a rash, pimple (acne) or scratch. Two things can be done to prevent and fade them.

1. Daily use a sunscreen with SPF of at least 15. Although there are no clinical studies to confirm this, some dermatologists state repeated exposure to the sun leads to longer treatment time and daily use of sunscreen helps resolve the spots more quickly.

2. Use an effective cream. Most prescription creams used to fade dark spots or lightening the skin in general contain hydroquinone (Wikipedia). But there are also
over the counter skin bleaching creams containing hydroquinone (the active ingredient) that fade dark spots.

These creams slow the production of pigment (melanin) so the spots gradually fade to match normal skin coloration. Prescription creams contain twice the amount of hydroquinone as over-the-counter creams.

The best creams to get rid of dark spots are probably Tri-Luma and Porcelana. Tri-luma contains 4% hydroquinone which is a lot compared to most over the counter creams that only contain 2%. So Tri-luma is probably the most effective fading cream with a prescription.
It combines three proven ingredients for lightening sun- or hormone-induced skin discolorations

It also contains plus Retin-A (tretinoin) and a steroid to reduce the harsh effects of the Retin A (redness, peeling.) Triluma is fairly more expensive compared to Porcelana.

Useful quote from a Triluma review: "noticed my spots fading within the first week, there was a bit of peeling and my skin did become sensitive . But it's well worth it coz my dark spots are nearly gone. One other thing is that my skin has started to lighten around the area i applied the cream, and i have patchy lighter skin... not sooo pretty but am still happy with the cream coz god knows i've tried everything to get rid of my acne scars."

Scar Removal by Laser

2009-09-20T04:57:00.000-07:00

While non surgical scar removal solutions can improve the appearance of scars to a certain extent, more problematic scars ask for other treatments. Most dermatologists will advice patients to indulge in less invasive methods first. (e.g. silicone sheeting, silicone gels, pressure garments, massage, heat application, centellase)

Laser is commonly used for acne scar removal. Its purpose is not only to reduce the scar appearance but also to keep them from coming back.

In the 1980's laser was used for the first time in the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars. Back then the results were not very promising and scars that did improve tended to reappear after a while. Since then laser treatment has been improved.

Nowadays laser scar removal can reduce acne, hypertrophic and keloid scars. For hypertrophic scars the most improvement is seen after two or three laser treatments. (generally improvement of 50 - 80%) For keloids more sessions are needed to get comparable results. One critical note; expectations should be tempered a bit because, like with all treatments, laser scar removal is more about reducing rather than totally eradicating scar tissue.

A session will take about 10 to 90 minutes and the treatment is commonly performed under local anesthesia. The intensity of the laser depends on the patient's skin type and size, color, thickness and location of the scar. Possible side effects are hyperpigmentation and (ocassionally) dermatitis (rash). The latter mostly develops due to the use of topical antibiotics or adhesive bandages.

Topical antibiotics are known to cause skin irratation. That's why it's good to know there are alternatives without these side effects.

Best Scar Product? Polyurethane Dressings vs Silicone Sheets

2009-09-09T07:59:00.000-07:00

Since I started treating my scars I didn't know better than that silicone sheets are the most effective scar treatment product available. Especially when it comes to burn scars and hyperthropic and keloid scars these are actually the only really effective scar product there is on the market. So I thought... But thanks to Bri who posted a comment on my silicone scar treatment Squidoo lens I learned about polyurethane dressings.

After digging a little into reports of studies and clinical trials it seems polyurethane dressings are slightly more effective in fading scars. An important side note: the studies I found were sponsored by the manufacturer of the commercial product. More about this in a following post.

Here are some facts and links to research reports on the effectiveness of polyurethane dressings compared to silicone scar sheets.

Over a 12 week period polyurethane dressings were compared with silicone sheets. Summarized, both the scars treated with silicones as well as polyurethane improved but according to the patients the scar color, tightness, softness were in favor of the polyurethane dressings. Furthermore during the trial period no serious side effects were reported but in case of the use of silicone sheets there were to patients who developed local dermatitis ( rash) where no adverse events were related to the use of the polyurethane dressings.

Read the full abstract of this study conducted by Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg here: Efficacy of a Polyurethane Dressing on Hypertrophic Scars in Comparison to a Silicon Sheet.

The polyurethane scar dressings are available at Amazon.com.

Starting Scar Treatment

2009-05-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

The most ideal scar treatment starts with proper wound care. In contrary to popular belief a wound should be kept moist. If the wound dries out a scab will form and scabbing will result in more scar tissue.

A very effective wound care product is Manuka honey or products based on Manuka honey. There are scar creams, wound dressings and other products available. Applying normal Manuka honey can involve risks. It should only be done on minor cuts and burns.

With more serious wounds it is strongly recommended to use medical grade Manuka honey. This is honey that is sterilized by gamma irradiation so it can be used safely on all kinds of wounds and burns.

Manuka honey is known for its hydrating, antibacterial, antiseptic and other healing properties. Efficient wound care is the first step in effective scar treatment and can really add to the final outcome of the scar appearance.

The following link provides extended information about Manuka honey and it's unique health benefits.

Valuable Getting Rid of Scars Advice

2009-04-23T13:55:00.000-07:00

This is a great piece of getting rid of scars advice I found last night.
In this article on dermatology website Skinandaging.com Dr. Sarah L. Taylor, a dermatology clinical research fellow at Wake Forest University School of Medicine Winston-Salem, N.C., gives an overview of which scar removal treatment products are recommended by dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons and other medical personnel. The article is about the effectiveness of popular over-the-counter scar treatment products and the evidence behind these products.

What works?
All the most common over the counter scar removal products are mentioned; topical vitamin E, onion extract based scar creams like Mederma, silicone sheeting, honey as a topical scar removal product, lime juice, cucumber juice, cocoa butter, and aloe vera.

Summary of the article:
"To summarize, silicone gel has the most data behind it as an efficacious topical, over-the-counter treatment option for scars, and is an option for patients who want something they can buy themselves. Also, there is probably not any harm, and possibly some benefit, to rubbing honey onto healing wounds and scars. Further quality studies involving human subjects are needed for topical, natural preparations for scars, so in the meantime, encourage your patients to not waste their time or money on other natural products out there that claim to improve the look of their scars."

Read the full article here

Scar Treatment: Keeping Scars Warm with Paraffin Wax

2009-04-22T02:50:00.000-07:00

Applying heat to scars can be beneficial for scar appearance because of the fact that higher temperatures increase of the activity of the enzyme that breaks down scar tissue.

(Shamberger R, Tabbot T, Tripton H, et al. The effect of ultrasonic and thermal treatment on wounds. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1981;68:860-870.)

Even an increased temperature of 1°C can result in softer, more flexible and less ugly scars. Common tools used for heat application on scars are moist heat packs, paraffin wax and ultrasound devices.

Paraffin wax is an excellent material to store heat and to keep skin from dehydrating. It is an ancient wisdom that paraffin therapy is a authentic way to speed healing and soothe muscle and joint pain. Paraffin wax application soothes and moisturizes the skin, opens pores and increases circulation; all essential in effective scar treatment.

Heat application on scar tissue with warm paraffin wax is beneficial to new and older scars. Paraffin wax acts like a liquid hot pad. Solid wax becomes molten on heating, and slowly releases heat when in contact with the skin. The wax gets solid as it loses heat. You can remove the wax when cooled off but still pliable.

More on keeping scars warm in order to improve scar appearance here

Get Rid of Scars with Copper Peptides?

2009-04-16T01:34:00.000-07:00

I've heard lots of good stuff about copper peptides but do they really work on improving scars? Many people swear their scars improved by using copper peptides in combination with hydroxy acids.

Dr. Pickart, who was the first scientist who started research on copper-peptides in the 1970's says scars soften and then start becoming smaller because copper peptides shut down the production of the protein that is responsible for creating scar tissue. (TGF-beta-1 ) Pickart's company Skinbiology offers many different copper peptide based creams and lotions.

The enormous amount of copper peptides lotions, creams, moisturizers and peels and just as much people discussing the effect of the lotions on their scars, wrinkles, stretch marks and acne scars leads to much confusion. The Skinbiology forum does not resolve much of this vagueness. Do coppper peptides work on scars? And how do you have to use them?

Copper peptides are not used on a large scale like hospitals and burn centers use silicone sheets.

I understand it is Copper Sulfate solution what burn centers use to wash burns and rinse them off. It can be toxic if used improperly and has antimicrobial and tissue regenerating properties and is often used for severe burn treatment in acute phase.

As far as I know there are no independent clinical trials proving the effectiveness of copper peptides on scars. Procyte and SkinBiology are the companies that have the patents on these copper peptide complexes so probably not much independent research will be done.

Copper peptides seem to have some effect on minor, shallow scars but they have to be used in combination with peels. The skin has to be damaged so the copper peptides can aid in the process of the skin growing back. Or as Dr. Pickard states: "a peel should be done in order to facilitate the collagen remodeling".

I find this copper peptides review I stumbled upon significant:
"I have been a user of skin biology products for 21 months now and I can say with total certainty that my hypertrophic scarring has improved to the tune of 70%... it does take time and is a very slow process. It is one in which you hardly notice improvement, until after around a year or so."

Knowing from experience there are much better and quicker ways to improve scar appearance this review confirms my presumptions.

My conclusion; 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 relative long) time.

The cosmetic business is big business and the vast majority of all the products being sold in this branch do not work on an objective basis. It's all about the promise of staying young, a dream that's being sold. As long as people believe in it it will work for them. But I stay skeptical and not convinced at all. Regarding the copper peptides; I need a clinical study to confirm they work on scars and then I might be turned around.

The Best Scar Removal Products

2009-04-06T01:08:00.000-07:00

If you have read other posts on this blog you'll know I only write about things I know from experience or about scientifically proven and founded facts on scar removal.

I have written a new page about the best scar removal products. These are products that meet 4 scar improving criteria. These criteria are moisturizing scars, keeping them covered (preferably by scar silicone sheets), warmth and oxygen.

When scars are kept covered the warmth criterion will be met automatically. You can massage the scar to make sure the scar tissue will be supplied with oxygen. By massaging the blood flow in the tissue will increase and thus will the oxygen supply. Clinical trials have shown that keeping scars hydrated for longer periods of time appears to improve them.

Exercising regularly will also stimulate blood flow. So these are things you can do yourself to improve scar appearance. The best scar removal products are the products that provide the best moisturizing and silicone sheets. Silicone sheets because they cover the scar, provide warmth and apart from that there seem to be other reasons why silicone sheets work on scars.

Where to buy Manuka honey

2009-03-24T02:01:00.000-07:00

As I have mentioned before, Manuka honey is an extraordinary natural product with many health benefits. Proven to be effective when other conventional medicines do not work. Even against antibiotic resistant bacteria Manuka honey has been an effective wound treatment.

It now is a common fact that proper wound care can benefit the final scar result. Providing a moist and clean environment is important. This way the wound will close sooner and less scar tissue will be created.

You can buy Manuka honey online but it is advised to buy the real thing. Many Manuka honeys are not 'active'. For minor cuts and wounds normal active Manuka honey from a jar can be used. In case of more severe wounds it is better to use Manuka honey based wound dressings. These are sterilized by gamma irradiation.

The following links provide more information on this very special product.
How to recognize real active Manuka honey.
Where to buy Manuka honey.

Scar Removal Do's and Dont's

2009-03-24T00:50:00.000-07:00

DO gently massage the skin once the wound is completely healed.
"Massage helps break down the dense bands of collagen that attach to underlying tissue—a common reaction to cesarean sections, appendectomies or hand wounds," according to Robert Bernard, M.D., a plastic surgeon based in White Plains, New York, and president-elect of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

DO cover a wound. Allowing a fresh wound to breathe and dry out will actually delay healing by as much as 50 percent.
"Moisture prevents the formation of a hard scab, which acts as a barrier to the development of new tissue," says dermatologist Bruce Katz, M.D., an associate clinical professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of Juva Skin and Laser Center in New York City. He advises treating the affected area daily with an antibiotic ointment like Neosporin (which will prevent infection, another hindrance to healing)

I use Manuka honey myself on minor wounds and cuts. Considering the extraordinary benefits of active Manuka honey and the fact that this natural product has no skin irritating side effects that many regular skin and scar creams do have.

Do use silicone scar sheets as soon as the wound is closed. Silicone patches are a proven effective scar removal product which has shown to inhibit the formation of collagen.

Don't use Vitamin E on your scar. Despite what you read on many reviews and other places this is not a good scar treatment.
In a University of Miami study vitamin E has been shown in to impair wound healing. (In addition, 30% of the patients tested also developed an allergic reaction.)

Don't expose new scars to the sun. The sun's ultraviolet radiation slows the healing process and can cause dark discoloration. Always use a sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) when you are out in the sun.

Don't decide to use invasive scar treatments like laser treatment or steroid injections too soon. There are risks involved and these treatments can better be considered as a last resort.

The Best Scar Removal Products

2009-03-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

When searching online for an answer on the question: what are the best scar removal products one has to become confused by all the different opinions on scar treatment. Many mixed reviews and contradictory experiences make it very difficult which product is the best solution.

There are many different types of over the counter scar removal products available. Commonly used products are the topical use of vitamin E, scar creams based on vitamin E or onion extract like Mederma, cocoa butter, cucumber butter, lime juice, Aloe Vera, lotions such as Bio Oil, skin remodeling copper peptides and so on. The truth however is that, in contradiction to the abundant positive reviews, most of these natural home remedies are not effective at all.

Various studies on onion extract gels show they did not improve scar appearance when compared with a petrolatum-based ointment. A leading dermatology website advices doctors to tell their patients that using these products will likely not cause any harm but will not lead to an improvement either.

This applies to the other aforementioned home remedy scar treatment products as well.

For example the topical application of vitamin E on scars.

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.

The conclusion of examining all these studies and clinical trials is that, either there are no significant improvements or there has not been done any research to determine the efficacy of the product. (On Lime, cucumber and lemon juice and cocoa butter are no studies done)

Flagrant exception is silicone scar treatment. Several randomized clinical trials have shown that treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars with silicone gel sheets significantly and clinically improved the appearance of scars. 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

When asked what the best advice concerning this matter is, one must not only think in terms of products (except silicone sheets and maybe honey) but more in terms of what you can do to improve the appearance of a scar.

For instance, scar massage can help a lot. Then there are recent trials that show an increased temperature will significantly increase collagenolysis (the process that decreases scar tissue) So heat application e.g. by paraffin wax can be a potent improving measure. Furthermore, hydration is essential. Keeping the scar tissue and surrounding skin moisturized adds to effective scar management.

I have tried many products myself and have done a lot of research on this subject. With my recently finished Squidoo page on the best scar removal product I try to clear some things up.

Apart from the best products that really work I also provide information on 4 factors that are beneficial in treating scars. These 4 factors are: moist, warmth, silicones and oxygen.

Treating scars with honey

2009-03-04T04:14:00.000-08:00

Revolutionary new scar treatment product
The New Zealand based company Comvita is owner of the Medihoney brand. The global leader in medical honey products has set up a new medical products division to take hi-tech honey dressings to the international market. Dr Molan from the Honey Research Unit has developed the technology to turn honey into a rubbery solid.

The pioneer in honey on wounds treatment Professor Molan thinks "that this may be the best way to use honey on scars"

The scientific proof on the effectiveness of Manuka honey for wound treatment is increasing. About treating scars with honey is still very little known. Scar treatment based on honey has not been tested yet. But there is a chance it might work.

Professor Peter Molan has designed the new dressings that take the mess out of honey.
"It's like a sheet of rubber, you can touch it without it being sticky at all," he said. Comvita has high hopes for the new wound treatment product.

"Previously untreatable wounds of many types are now found to be treatable by honey," said Comvita spokesman Ray Lewis.

Let's hope this product works even better than silicone scar sheets in order to reduce the appearance of a scar. I will update on this blog as soon as there are new developments regarding the revolutionary honey scar sheets.

The Best Scar Healing Products

2009-03-03T07:17:00.000-08:00

I have learned a lot concerning scar treatment since I got scarred badly a few years ago. There are so much different products available and many of them promise to fade your scar within weeks. Some even state your scar will vanish completely.

As I have learned from experience it all comes down to a combination of things you can do yourself and an effective scar improving product. More about this combination can be found in the 11 scar reducing Tips post

In my opinion the best scar improving product are silicone scar sheets or patches as they are called also. And in addition silicone scar gels. They come in handy when scar sheets are difficult to attach for example on joints. When going out in public you might not want to walk around with a silicone patch in vision. Then silicone gel can be a solution.

Like I said before, I have tried numerous things but my scars really improved by the silicone patches and the gel. I have used the silicone gel, the liquid stuff in a lesser extent. But I know for example from a friend who I gave the gel I had left that it worked like a charm for her on two surgical scars she has on her shoulders. The scars got less red, less thick, softer and blended into the skin. More on my experiences with scar healing silicone patches...

Home remedy scar healing | 12 Tips to improve scars

2009-03-03T05:53:00.000-08:00

# Scar Smoothing Tip 1 | Wait until the wound is healed
Never start with treating your scar until the wound is fully closed. If you start too soon you will only make things worse.

# Scar Reduction Tip 2 | Treat your scar right away.
The sooner you start treating your scar the better the results eventually will be.

# Scar Fading Tip 3 | Moisturize.
It is very important to keep your scar from drying out by applying a moisturizing cream. Any hydrating cream will do. Many dedicated scar creams make promises that are not scientifically proven. Also drinking enough is important to hydrate your body.

# Scar Improving Tip 4 | Exercise
Exercising increases the amount of oxygen rich blood that flows through the scar tissue. Avoid stretching the scarred skin too much. This is very important. Stress on the scar tissue will make it expand. * More on this in a following post about fitness and scars

# Scar Reducing Tip 5 | Scar massage
Massaging the scar will improve it. By softly manipulating the tissue the blood circulation will improve and the scar will get softer and prettier. You can use a any hydrating cream.

# Scar Recovering Tip 6 | Avoid sunshine on the scar
Try to keep the scar out of the sun as much as possible by using plasters or a good sunscreen. As long as it is not in it's final state the scar will be damaged by solar radiation. This will lead to damage of the tissue and can cause hyperpigmentation.

# Scar Blending Tip 7 | Let the scar 'breathe'
Oxygen is essential, just like water. I was given the advice to expose my scars to fresh air as much as possible. When the weather allowed it I walked around shirtless. Fresh air is said to improve the blood flow thus supporting the skin's recovering ability

# Scar Minimizing Tip 8 | Don't smoke
Not only does smoking delay the healing process of scars it also increases the chance of scar development.

# Scar Fading Tip 9 | Drink less alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeine have a dehydrating effect on the body and skin. By cutting down on alcohol an caffeine you will help the skin's recovery process, resulting in less scar tissue.

# Scar Improving Tip 10 | Eat healthy
Your nutrition is also influencing the scar healing process. Make sure you eat a well balanced diet with proteins and carbohydrates. Proteins are important as building stones and carbohydrates for delivering energy to aid the healing process. There is no scientific evidence that additional vitamins or minerals will support a better scar result.

# Scar Blending Tip 11 | Be patient
Scars will improve over time. Make use of non invasive methods like the over the counter methods in this list. Try to avoid the more intrusive methods like laser treatment, steroid injections and surgery when possible. Those invasive scar healing methods can be risky. The scar will be stressed again which often results in creating new scar tissue. Look at those methods as a last resort, if more natural scar healing doesn't satisfy.

# Scar Blending Tip 12 | Use an effective scar treatment product
Silicone scar sheets in combination with silicone scar gel and a moisturizing cream really worked on my scars. The scars color really toned down from red to more skin color. Also did my scars get more flat and soft. I used doctor-level silicone sheets. They have a higher silicone saturation, better quality silicones and seem to be more durable. More on my silicone scar treatment here.

And more general scar treatment information here.

The Best Scar Treatment Products

2009-03-03T03:00:00.001-08:00

As I have also written on my Silicone Scar Treatment page, I am convinced that for optimal scar reduction four factors are essential.

These 4 scar improvement factors are:

Moist
Oxygen
the best scar treatment product
warmth

Providing in these factors can be accomplished by making use of a good moisturizing cream, making sure the blood flow is optimal by exercising, keeping the scar warm by patches and again exercise and the best scar treatment products are silicone scar sheets. They are for several reasons:

Getting rid of scars with scar removal creams

2009-02-27T04:15:00.000-08:00

Mederma for scars, effective or not?

I have tried a lot so called scar removal creams and they did not work at all. Mederma is such a scar cream. It is an onion based topical gel which is not effective. If you read scar reviews on Mederma you might think otherwise but I'll explain more about this in my next post. Check this post for more info about Mederma.

Keloid Scar Removal

2009-02-27T04:00:00.000-08:00

In order to get optimal results in keloid scar removal it is important to use a good product. I don't know from experience if scar silicone sheets are very effective regarding keloid scar removal. My scars were mostly hypertrophic. But many sources on the Internet show that silicone scar products work on keloids as well.

Scar silicone sheet

2009-02-27T03:54:00.000-08:00

The best silicone scar product is ScarAway. Also Neosporin provides a good scar solution. The scar tissue gets less red and becomes softer and more flat. The scar treatment products from ScarAway and Neosporin are professional, surgeon recommended products.

I found that the scar silicone sheets worked better then any other product. In lesser extent the gel also worked. An example of a good brand of scar gel is Neosporin.

Silicone Gel Side Effects

2009-02-18T23:32:00.000-08:00

As far as I know silicone scar gels have no side effects. The department of Pharmacy, the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine (Universiti Kebangsaan) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia have conducted a placebo-controlled research which concluded that no side effects caused by the silicone gel were noted.
* I'm mostly talking about silicone gel sheets but this report is about silicone gel. The liquid version of silicon scar gel like Kelo-cote or Zeraderm.

The research also showed that the wounds treated with silicone gel significantly scored better on pigmentation, vascularity, height, pain and itchiness.
Check the abstract of this research report for more info.

How long should you keep your scar out of the sun?

2009-02-18T08:08:00.000-08:00

The fresher the scar the more you should avoid sunshine on it. But even when the scar is older it is good to keep it out of the sun. The solar radiation will do damage to the scar tissue. I kept my scars out of the sun for at least the first 1,5 years. I used patches or sometimes a very thick layer of cream to cover the scars. I preferred patches because this was a more secure method.

When scars are in their final state. This means they are not so red anymore and less raised. Then sunshine can help with the scar color blending into the surrounding skin.

Silicone Scar Sheets | How do they work?

2009-02-18T03:44:00.001-08:00

An ideal environment for scar healing is that of well balanced amount of moisture, warmth and a maximum exposure to oxygen.

Medics theorize that warmth increases the activity of collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen. Scar tissue exists of collagen and the growth of this tissue often results in hypertrophic or keloid scars.

So with the scar silicone sheets applying a constant pressure(which also seems to be beneficial to scar reduction), providing warmth, being able to let oxygen through it seems they are an optimal scar healing solution.

Apart from this, scientists also believe scar sheets providing a electromagnetic energy field between the scar and skin.
The electro static energy probably flattens the scar, makes it softer and also creates an increased blood flow which results into an improved skin tone.

The electro static field might also improve the irregular collagen structure from scar tissue. And furthermore they should contribute to moisturizing the skin.

High Quality Silicone Scar Products

2009-02-18T03:40:00.000-08:00

It does make a difference which silicone scar product you choose. Doctor-level silicone sheets are highly recommended.

Scar away and Biodermis are such doctor-level brands. They consist of a higher percentage silicones from better quality are thicker and seem to be more durable than for example an over-the-counter brand like Neosporin.

Scaraway and Biodermis seem to stick better to the skin as well then the Neosporin scar solution.

The truth about Bio Oil | Does it improve scars?

2009-02-17T11:53:00.000-08:00

It depends. For hypertrophic and keloid scars this product probably doesn't work. There are almost no creams that actually improve these types of problematic scars. So when talking about this part of the scars family it probably is another scar product that does not work.

At first I thought it might be an exception to many other scar creams and products but no. (Funny how you keep wanting to believe a product does work although common sense says otherwise, but that's how the human mind works I guess) After doing a little research we can put this product on the list with non effective scar products. Check out this forum for some user experiences on Bio Oil.

But how about fine lines, wrinkles and other skin imperfections? Bio Oil is a relative new skin care product. It's one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite products. At this moment there aren't any clinical trials proving its efficacy. But there are lots of reviews. We all know online reviews must be taken with a grain of salt. But in this case, Oprah Winfrey's beloved Bio Oil does get a hell of a lot of positive reviews. In fact they are more than positive. Also my sister, mother in law and girl friend use Bio Oil. They say it makes their skin soft and supple and feeling really great. Apart from this my sister says that fine lines and even a minor scar of her faded to a considerable extent. So maybe there is something to this product.

When searching further on Bio Oil I found out that Bio Oil can cause skin irritation and other health risks because of the basic ingredients. Bio Oil consists partly of mineral oil. This is a petro-chemical derivative which is said to be harmful to the skin. Some research I did ( I can't find the source right now) shows there is absolutely no proof for these statements.

Until scientific studies have been conducted we can only go by our own experiences. The truth about Bio Oil is that is is greatly appreciated by many. We might all know someone who uses it and who is very pleased with it. So my conclusion is that it really could work for small scar and fine lines, wrinkles and imperfections. For bigger scars, such as surgical scars it might be a good massage oil.

Read more about whether it works for stretch marks here.

Treating wounds with honey | a Natural remedy with many benefits

2009-02-12T11:48:00.000-08:00

Nature's Antibiotic | How to heal wounds faster
Until now I have only talked on this blog about things I know from experience. I'll make an exception because of the fact that it concerns a natural treatment which has some pretty convincing characteristics speaking on its behalf. I'm talking about treating wounds with honey.

Most modern medications have ambivalent traits. Antibiotics for example are known to kill bacteria but on the other hand have negative consequences. This is not only true for antibiotics but many other medications and even some creams. Some if not most of the creams have the habit of healing but at the same time deteriorating tissue.

Honey can not only heal wounds but also improve overall health.
If you ever watch TV programs like ASPCA Animal Cops you might have seen the vet applying honey on animals infected wounds. Well this treatment can also be very beneficiary for human wounds.

How to heal open wounds faster | Applying honey to wounds speeds up the healing and reduces chance on infection.
A Nigerian study among 59 patients showed that apart from one patient honey turned out to be a very effective way of sterilizing infected wounds and keeping them clean. This logically results in faster healing of wounds and less scar tissue. "Honey provides a moist healing environment yet prevents bacterial growth even when wounds are heavily infected," according to Dr. Peter Molan of the University of Waikato's Honey Research Unit in New Zealand.

Note: It is important to follow the doctor's / surgeon's advice and not try any home remedies without consulting a professional first.

More evidence for honey promoting wound healing.

How to apply honey on a wound

Which honey is best for wound treatment

scars and nutrition | can food improve my scar?

2009-02-12T02:35:00.000-08:00

Well as I stated in .. post there is no scientific evidence that taking extra vitamins or supplements will benefit scar improvement. In fact too much of these additions can harm not only to scar healing but to general well being as well.

A balanced, healthy food pattern is important to the final result of scar appearance though. Eating enough vegetables, fruit, carbohydrates and protein can add to a better overall scar healing.

What's also important and plays a role in this is the knowledge of eating healthy. At least this is my personal opinion. I have not read a test report or something like that about this. But it does make sense. When you are eating healthy and balanced added by using some of the scar products that do work you know you are doing everything within your power to get a better scar result. This results a positive contribution to your mindset. And we all know about a healthy body is a healthy mind.

This might sound like a bit new age kind of thing but it is true. A positive attitude can do so much for you.

So maintaining a balanced nutrition can be a segment of the total scar treatment and can add to a positive attitude which will help you in the end. If only for coping with the scars, but I really do believe this will result less ugly scars.

Home remedy scar treatment

2009-02-11T05:31:00.000-08:00

When I got my scars my first reaction (concerning the scars) was: " I want to get rid of them completely". I went on a search to find out what works best to heal scars. I discovered many treatments, surgical procedures, opinions, products and more.

Some scar treatments are radical and others just don't work. An injection with steroids is such a radical scar treatment. There are risks involved. Using onion extract based cream to improve a scar is an example of something that doesn't work.

I know there are many testimonials on the Internet that say otherwise but in my experience it doesn't do much. Most doctors say the same. If a medic subscribes something like such a cream it's like a placebo in my opinion. Maybe a strong belief in the product will change your perception, but not the scar. Although there is something positive about it but more about that later.

Not to create a wrong impression, invasive scar treatments like surgery or laser treatment can certainly be a solution to a real problem. But first you should let your body do it's work. It takes more than a year for a scar to be in it's final state. Until that time there are some things you can do yourself. Read all about it in the 12 Tips to improve scars post.

Onion Extract Scar Creams like Mederma, do they work?

2009-02-09T04:50:00.000-08:00

So called benefits of onion extract based scar creams are the anti-inflammatory characteristics and the fact that it should reduce the production of collagen in a scar. (Collagen are protein fibers of which a scar is made of.) Mederma is such a onion based topical gel. The company claims to make scars smoother, less noticable and softer. However studies conducted have shown that onion extract or allium cepa did not benefit the appearance of scars. Other studies also determined that in some cases onion extract had a detrimental effect on scars.

Another study showed that Mederma benefited the collagen structure in scars with injured rabbits. This products scar healing benefits are not that convincing. So would not recommend Mederma. Have to admit I haven't used it myself but I have used other creams and most them didn't do much for me.

There are many comments and reviews in which people state they use a product like Mederma and it does work. Of course that is possible but I think it is because of the moisturizing characteristics of the product and because of the fact that manipulating the tissue (massage) the blood flow will increase.

Something about effective ways of fading scars on Squidoo. And some more info here.

Does topical use of Vitamin E improve scars?

2009-02-09T04:03:00.000-08:00

No there are no benefits to using vitamin E to improve scars. According to a study conducted by the University of Miami Department of Dermatology vitamin E has no positive effect on scars. It may even worsen the scar appearance in more than 90% of the cases! One third of the patients in the study developed an allergic reaction and had to stop the use of vitamin E.

The outcome of the study: "The Effects of Topical Vitamin E on the Cosmetic Appearance of Scars" conducted by Leslie M. Baumann MD and James Spencer MD, MS is that the use of vitamin E for treating the cosmetical appearance of scars should be discouraged. Read more about this study here. Visit this page for effective scar improving methods.

But consuming vitamin E might be beneficial to scar healing. A vitamin E rich diet may consist of wheat germ, muesli, avocados, tomatoes, nuts, vegetable oils, seeds and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach.

Preventing scars | How to minimize potential scars

2009-02-09T03:01:00.000-08:00

How to get rid of scars naturally

2009-02-09T02:22:00.000-08:00

Getting rid of scars, making scars disappear or removing scars isn't possible most of the times. In some exceptional cases a scar will disappear almost completely but this depends on many factors. Scars can be smoothened, faded, blended in, improved, softened, toned down and so on. The original scar can be diminished up to 80%. It will not vanish but the goal can be: really having to look where the scar was.

Actually there are two ways of treating scars. The invasive manner and the natural way. With invasive I mean things like cosmetic scar surgery and laser or nitrogen treatment. I really think these treatments should only be considered as a last resort. When natural scar healing methods are useless like with a big keloid scar invasive methods can be a great help but there's a bigger risk involved as well. That's why I want to emphasize on natural scar improving methods. (More on scar treatment risks in following posts)

Natural means making use of the skin's own recovering abilities. For example by stimulating the metabolism in the scar tissue or by increasing the skin temperature which results in an increased enzyme activity in the skin.

How to get rid of scars? | My own search for answers

2009-02-09T01:59:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately it isn't possible to get rid of scars completely. At least almost impossible. But the good news is that there are ways to improve scars to a huge extent. There are many creams, lotions, patches and other scar healing products on the market. Many of them are a waist of money. But some scar improving products do work. I know this from experience.

About 8 years ago I got scarred pretty severely. I started doing research on scars. I had so many questions. Did I have to live the rest of my life with those ugly scars? How could I improve them? What is important when treating scars? What works and what not. I searched the Internet for everything I could find on scar treatment. I wrote e-mails, called professional organizations, asked advice with private cosmetic clinics, I visited doctors and a regular plastic surgeon. I found out a few things.

I will post my findings on this blog. This way I might be of help to others who want to what's the best way to treat their scars. While this blog is still under construction maybe you'll find my other page on scar treatment interesting.

Which honey for treating wounds

2009-02-02T00:50:00.000-08:00

The ancient Egyptians already used honey as an efficient wound treatment. Nowadays the use of honey for treating wounds gains popularity. The Waikato Honey Research Unit in New Zealand has done much research on this subject.

Different types of honey exhibit different amounts of antibacterial activity. The Waikato Honey Research Unit have studied honey from different types of sources. A few of them having particularly high antibacterial activity. Manuka honey gathered from the Manuka tree is such a honey with exceptionally high antibacterial activity.

From the Waikato Honey Research Unit website: To be sure of getting the true “Active Manuka Honey” consumers should look for a statement that the antibacterial activity claimed is in fact due to the Unique Manuka Factor, or that it is stated that it is “non-peroxide activity”.
Certified UMF® Manuka Honey is the recommended by The Waikato Unit for wound care. Many products claim to be the real deal but are not. One must pay attention to make sure that the product is certified Manuka honey.

Why Manuka honey is particularly good for wound care.

More info about the medical benefits of honey

How to apply honey on a wound

2009-02-01T00:03:00.000-08:00

Important:The information in this post does not constitute medical advice. Wounds that are not healing should be seen by a professional medical practitioner.

For centuries now honey has been used as an effective remedy for wounds, burns and ulcers. In recent years there has been renewed interest in the medicinal properties of honey. Much of this research is being carried out by a team of people working at the Waikato Honey Research Unit, New Zealand.

Honey dressings are used as a topical antibacterial agent to treat wound infections. In cases where antibiotics and antiseptics are ineffective wounds respond well to honey. Honey benefits the healing process, resulting in minimal scarring.

1. Make sure the wound is clean
2. The easiest option is to apply the honey on a sterile dressing. Slightly warming the honey makes it more fluid.
3. Cover with a clean gauze or bandage
4. The honey dressing should be changed at least once a day depending on the seriousness of the infection.

There are pads pre-impregnated with honey on the market for a more convenient alternative. if pre-impregnated dressings are not available, spreading the honey on the dressing is preferred. Instead of on the wound.

Which honey should I use?

"Honey is one of the oldest foods in existence and was an ancient remedy for wound healing. It was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun and was still edible as it never spoils."

How to fade dark scars

2009-01-10T02:47:00.000-08:00

Probably the best way to lighten dark scars is by using a skin lightening cream. The best lightening products are based on the Kojic Acid ingredient. I have read some good reviews on Meladerm cream and LOREAL White Perfect Re-Lighting Whitening Moisturizing Day Cream.

Watch out for products containing high levels of the steroid corticosteroid though. Read more on naturalnews.com about side effects of these creams.

Scar reviews | How to look critically and be cautious with conclusions

2009-01-09T04:26:00.000-08:00

If you take a look at scar reviews on for example epinions you will see roughly 2 out of 3 reviews are positive. I really think, not only with scar product reviews but with all that you must weigh the negative comments heavier.

First of all there is the common argument that the manufacturer of a product puts positive reviews there. Well this argument is not valid because the competitor can also place negative reviews.

Reasons why to weigh negative comments heavier are:

Many times scars improve. The product is not always necessarily the cause of this improvement. As I always advice: use a moisturizing cream to massage the scar. Any cream will do as long as it hydrates. Because a moist environment is beneficial to scar reduction. There is clinical evidence for this. But apart from that no scar cream is proven effective on scars.

So a percentage of the positive reviews should not be taken into account because I strongly believe the scar would have improved with any hydrating cream.

Cognitive dissonance is another reason. When you have bought an expensive scar cream you'll want it to work even more. The believe in the product increases. The knowledge of the product being not effective will be compensated with an unrealistic view.