09 Feb The most effective ingredients for scar removal products
There are a bewildering amount of scar removal products on the market and knowing which ones are effective can be confusing. Among the treatments on offer are gels, creams, patches and sheets that all claim to help scars heal and reduce their size and appearance.
So what should you look for when buying scar removal products? Which ingredient should your product contain to make it work and give you the results you want?
Silicone
Silicone is without doubt the most important thing to look out for in your scar removal product whether it’s a cream or sheet you opt for. Not only does it hydrate your skin, silicone also shields the skin from bacteria to prevent infection, and also lets it breathe. All of these factors mean your scar will look flatter and feel softer as you skin can produce collagen to heal the area properly. And it will stop the scar from itching so you won’t be tempted to scratch it, which can slow down the process further.
Other ingredients
Other ingredients often used in scar treatment products include vitamin E and alpha hydroxyl acids. Vitamin E is used because it’s rich in antioxidants which improve blood flow and helps boost collagen production and can be useful in scar reduction.
Alpha hydroxyl acids have been used in beauty treatments like chemical peels for years and can be effective in scar treatments as they can strip away the dead layers of skin to get to the new ones below. This then stimulates growth and promotes healing. They occur naturally in citrus foods such as lemons.
Go for silicone
While the other ingredients may be effective, go for silicone in your scar treatment every time. It is proven to be the most effective treatment available on the market in clinical trials. Silicone gels, creams and sheets work exactly the same and it depends on your needs as to which one you need.
Often, a combination of them gets the best results. Dermatix has a range of silicone-based scar reduction treatments, including Dermatix Silicone Sheets and Dermatix Silicone Gel.
Sources
1. Mustoe TA et el. Plast Reconstr Surg 2002;110:560-571.
2. Mustoe. Aesth Plast Surg 2008;32:82-92.
UK/DER/14/0002s Date of Preparation August 2014
