Scar gel is a topical product designed to improve the appearance and texture of scars. Its primary purpose is to help make scars flatter, softer, and less noticeable by influencing the skin’s natural healing processes.
Understanding Scar Formation
When skin is injured, the body initiates a repair process to close the wound. This process involves several phases, including inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. During the proliferative phase, specialized cells called fibroblasts produce collagen, which rebuilds damaged tissue and provides structural support.
In the remodeling phase, collagen fibers organize to strengthen new tissue. However, scar collagen is often dense and arranged differently than in healthy skin, leading to a visible mark. An overproduction of collagen can result in raised and thickened scars, such as hypertrophic scars or keloids.
Key Ingredients and Their Functions
Scar gels contain various ingredients, each contributing to scar management. Silicone, often listed as dimethicone or cyclomethicone, is a widely recognized component that helps create a protective barrier. Onion bulb extract, also known as Cepalin, is included in some formulations and reduces redness and inflammation.
Other ingredients like allantoin, derived from the comfrey plant, are valued for their soothing and skin-regenerating properties. Vitamin E is frequently added for its antioxidant qualities and to soften the skin. Hyaluronic acid helps retain moisture, contributing to skin hydration and elasticity, while panthenol, a vitamin B-5 derivative, also supports moisture retention and new tissue formation.
How Scar Gels Work
Scar gels work by creating a specialized environment around the scar tissue. When applied, particularly silicone-based gels, they form a semi-occlusive barrier over the skin. This barrier helps to seal in moisture, increasing the hydration of the skin’s outermost layer. Adequate hydration is important for proper healing and regulates cellular activity within the scar.
This moist environment helps normalize collagen production and organization. By maintaining optimal moisture levels, scar gels promote more organized collagen production, preventing the excessive, disorganized deposition often seen in raised scars. Additionally, the barrier protects the developing scar from external factors and bacterial invasion, which might otherwise induce further collagen production. Some ingredients also contribute to reducing itching and discomfort associated with scars.
Using Scar Gel Effectively
For optimal results, scar gel should be applied once the wound has closed and any scabs have fallen off. This typically occurs a few weeks post-injury, usually around two to four weeks for many wounds. Applying the gel to an open wound is not recommended and can interfere with the initial healing process.
The gel should be applied as a thin layer and gently massaged into the scar, usually once or twice daily, as directed by the product instructions. Consistency is important, and usage needs to continue for several weeks to months to see noticeable improvements. For new scars, this might be 8 weeks, while older scars could require 3 to 6 months of consistent application. Scar gels are generally most effective for hypertrophic scars, keloids, surgical scars, and some acne scars, though they typically improve appearance rather than making scars disappear completely.