Mederma Skin Care for Scars

Mederma Skin Care for Scars claims to make scars less noticeable. The idea is that it makes scars softer, smoother, and less obvious. Who can use this cream? How well does it work? The manufacturer says Mederma is formulated to improve the appearance and feel of all types of scars.

Types of Scars

Scars come in all shapes and sizes, but they can be divided into four basic types.

• Hypertrophic scars: These are raised, red scars at the site of the original injury.
• Keloid scars: Keloids are also raised, but they tend to extend beyond the injury site. People with dark skin are especially prone to keloids.
• Contracture scars: These form as a result of burns. They involve tightened skin which may interfere with movement.
• Acne scars: These are often pits or other indentations in facial skin.

Many scars will fade with time, whether or not they are treated. Old scars often look like faint, silvery lines.

Uses for Mederma Skin Care for Scars

Mederma is meant to reduce the appearance of both old and new scars. For new scars, the manufacturer suggests using the gel immediately after a wound has healed. They recommend the gel for almost every kind of scar, including those from surgery, burns, acne, and injuries.

Mederma also claims to reduce the appearance of new stretch marks, although it does not work well on old ones. New stretch marks look pink, red-brown, or dark brown, depending on your skin color.

What's in Mederma

Mederma Skin Care for Scars is a non-greasy, pleasantly-scented, clear gel made from a plant extract derived from onions. In the past, onions have been used to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin.

The extract in Mederma Skin Care for Scars is a product called Cepalin, and the process of making it is patented. No other scar creams have this precise extract. However, other creams do contain onion extract. Look for "allium cepa" on the ingredient label.

How Much to Use

Mederma is sold in two sizes:

• 20 grams, a three-month supply for scars up to three inches long
• 50 grams, a three-month supply for scars up to ten inches long

The instructions say to apply a thin coat of Mederma gel to the scar, then gently massage it in. Repeat the process three times a day for eight weeks on new scars. For older scars, repeat three times a day for three to six months.

Does It Work?

The Mederma web site lists some scientific reports that support their claims. These reports say that Mederma Skin Care for Scars really can reduce the appearance of scars.

However, three clinical trials suggest otherwise. In two of them, people who used a placebo (such as simple petroleum jelly) reported more improvement than people who used Mederma.

It's hard to tell whether the studies cited by Mederma compared the gel to another treatment or to no treatment. It's possible that using Mederma Skin Care for Scars works better than doing nothing at all.

Other Options for Scars

Some doctors recommend vitamin E as a treatment for scars. Unfortunately, medical evidence suggests that vitamin E doesn't help scars and might even make them look worse.

Other options include:

• Surgery. Plastic surgery can help improve the appearance of some scars. Surgery is not a good choice for raised, keloid scars.
• Injections. Over time, steroid injections can help flatten and soften some types of raised scars. Injections of collagen, fat, or new synthetic products can fill in deep scars.
• Dermabrasion. This can help with some superficial scars. Dermabrasion leaves skin red and raw-looking for some time. If scars are slight, microdermabrasion—which has a shorter recovery period—may be enough.
• Laser resurfacing. Laser resurfacing works similarly to dermabrasion. In some cases, the laser can treat deeper layers of skin without damaging the surface.

Prevention

Caring for a wound while it's healing can help prevent scars from developing in the first place. If you have a cut or scrape, clean the area well with plenty of water; use gentle soap if there is dirt to remove. Some doctors recommend using a thin layer of antibiotic ointment for the first few days. As the cut begins to heal, don't scratch it or pick at the scab. Consider getting a little extra vitamin C from oranges, other citrus fruits, or over-the counter supplements. Vitamin C may help speed healing. See a doctor for deep cuts, or if the skin begins to feel warm, look swollen, or show other signs of infection.