Vitamins for scar healing Vitamins can help your body to heal damaged skin or tissue and give that uniform, smooth look to the affected area. Vitamins are known to be the most powerful growth-inducing supplements, and they not only promote healthy cell division but also reduce inflammation, which is a major cause of many skin issues.
Vitamins for scars can help to make your skin heal faster.
Vitamins play a vital role in healing scars and lessen the appearance of scars. Vitamins are antioxidants which help to remove free radicals, which cause damage to cells and result in formation of scar tissue.
vitamins for scars
Scar tissue is made up of collagen fibers, which is the body’s most abundant protein. Collagen fibers strengthen your skin and aid in the healing of wounds. Unfortunately, once a wound has healed, these collagen fibers are left behind which causes you to develop scarring. Fortunately, there are foods and vitamins that can help you with scar removal.
Vitamins are a great way to not only help your skin but also have a positive impact on scarring. The negative effects that can occur by scarring can be limited with the use of vitamins.
Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients for healing scars. It reduces the appearance of a scar, making it lighter and less noticeable.
vitamins for scar tissue
A few of my patients have been told to use vitamin E cream after surgery or repair of a laceration. What is the evidence for this suggestion, and is this treatment suitable for all patients?
ANSWER
Vitamin E is the main lipid-soluble antioxidant in the skin. Several anecdotal reports have suggested that topical use of vitamin E cream can reduce scar formation. Current evidence from the literature, however, does not support that proposition. In fact, studies report some adverse effects with use of vitamin E. Further research is needed before application of vitamin E cream becomes the standard of care.
Researchers estimate that close to 100 million patients in the developing world acquire scars each year.1 The scars arise mostly from surgical procedures and trauma. A large proportion of these patients, approximately 4 million of them, acquire scars due to burns. About 70% of burn victims are children.1 The aftereffects of scars, especially in children and adolescents, are profound and are mostly attributed to changes in the appearance of their bodies and disfiguration.2 Consequences of the aftereffects of scars in adults include depression (13% to 23%); posttraumatic stress syndrome (13% to 45%)2; and anxiety, diminished self-esteem,3 and overall decreased quality of life. Thus, there is much interest in the causes of scar formation and in ways to reduce or remove scars that have already formed.
Scarring is the outcome of the natural healing processes of the body in response to tissue injury, in particular trauma. A cut due to an accident or surgery initiates a physiologic cascade of events that lead to tissue resolution and reconstruction. The first step in this cascade of events is inflammation: the immune system invades the site of injury to remove foreign material and harmful agents and destroy invading organisms. Some of the products released by this process might account for scar formation.4 Some confirmation of this theory comes from the discovery that fewer neutrophils are recruited to the site of injury in fetuses whose wounds heal without scars than are recruited to the site of injury in adults who acquire scars.4 As the immune system develops and inflammatory reactions amplify, scars appear more frequently, indicating the importance of inflammation in scar formation.4
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Vitamin E
Vitamin E was discovered in 1922 by researchers at the University of California who suggested it had beneficial properties for skin, especially in support of wound healing and scar repair.5 It is the main lipid-soluble antioxidant in the skin.6 Vitamin E can be applied topically and will have good penetration into deep dermal tissue. Its antioxidative property helps stabilize cell membranes, including cells of the inflammatory process, and thus reduces the amounts of chemicals released by those cells.5 Vitamin E is also believed to have a protective effect against buildup of arterial plaque and against cancer.7
Since the discovery that vitamin E is the main lipid-soluble antioxidant in the skin, researchers have suggested that it might have a role in the treatment of skin lesions and scar formation.6,8 Musalmah et al9 found an accelerated rate of wound closure in normal and diabetic rats treated with alpha-tocopherol, a subfamily of vitamin E, possibly due to its antioxidant role. Based on current evidence, however, it is hard to recommend vitamin E and hope for promising results.
When vitamin E was added to silicon gel sheets used to treat 80 patients 18 to 63 years old with hypertrophic scars, the combined action of these 2 chemicals brought success.10 In this blinded study, patients were randomized to 2 groups, 1 receiving vitamin E added to silicon gel sheets and the other receiving only silicon gel sheets. After 2 months, 95% of the study group patients’ scars had improved by 50%; only 75% of the control group patients’ scars had improved by 50% (P < .05).10 In contrast, another study reported that a randomized group of 159 patients who underwent surgery for postburn contractures was treated for 4 months with topical vitamin E,11 which seemed to have no appreciable effect. Patients were monitored for a year, and observations of scar thickness, change in graft size, range of motion, and ultimate cosmetic appearance were recorded. No beneficial effect of vitamin E could be demonstrated. In a double-blind randomized controlled trial, a topically applied combination of an emollient and vitamin E did not result in a better cosmetic effect in postsurgical 2-layer skin closure than when only the emollient was used.6 Moreover, almost a third of the patients reported local reactions to the vitamin E cream. These reactions were mostly contact dermatitis and supported earlier findings of contact urticaria, eczematous dermatitis, and reactions similar to erythema multiforme.11,12 The authors suggested that, in some cases, topical vitamin E even worsened the cosmetic appearance of scars and concluded that use of topical vitamin E for treating surgical wounds should be discouraged. A follow-up comment on the study pointed out that d-alpha-tocopherol is an extremely unstable compound and that breakdown products and contaminants could account for the inflammatory response observed.13
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Conclusion
Although there are anecdotal reports suggesting that topical application of vitamin E could help remove scars and aid in the healing process, current evidence does not fully support that suggestion. In fact, adverse effects should be considered. There is a clear need for better controlled trials to identify more accurately the role of vitamin E in wound healing and scar formation, especially in children.
While vitamin E may help moisturize the skin, research indicates that vitamin E oils and supplements have no notable effect on scars.
Vitamin E has a wide range of benefits, including keeping the eyes healthy and strengthening the immune system. Some people believe that vitamin E reduces the appearance of scars, but most of the evidence for this is anecdotal.
This article looks at whether vitamin E might help reduce the appearance of scars and other beneficial techniques.
What is vitamin E?
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Vitamin E is the collective name for a group of fat-soluble compounds with specific antioxidant effects.
Antioxidants protect cells from the effects of free radicals, which damage cells and may contributeTrusted Source to cardiovascular disease and cancer development.
Vitamin E exists naturally in some foods, and manufacturers add it to others. StudiesTrusted Source suggest that the richest naturally-occurring vitamin E sources are nuts, spinach, whole grains, olive oil, and sunflower oil.
The vitamin is available as an oral supplement or as oil that people can apply to the skin.
Learn about the best foods for vitamin E here.
What the research says
Vitamin E is a popular treatment for burns and scars. However, studiesTrusted Source looking at whether or not the topical application of vitamin E helps with scars have yielded disappointing results.
An older study from 1999 looking at vitamin E’s effect on scarring found that almost one-thirdTrusted Source of participants had allergic reactions to the vitamin. In total, 90% reported either an allergic reaction or that the vitamin did not affect their scarring.
However, the vitamin may benefit other skin conditions. For example, one 2015 studyTrusted Source suggested that vitamin E may improve symptoms and quality of life for people with atopic dermatitis, or eczema.
A 2016 review says that more research is required to investigate whether there is any value in using vitamin E to manage scar healing. At present, there is not enough evidence to recommend using vitamin E to diminish scars.
Learn about which home remedies might help treat scars.
Using vitamin E for scars
Based on the available evidence, it would seem that vitamin E does not reduce the appearance of scarring.
However, moisturizing the skin can help prevent scars from forming during wound healing, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
As long as a person is not allergic to vitamin E, they can use a moisturizer that contains this ingredient. However, it is unclear if moisturizers containing vitamin E would offer special benefits.
Anyone interested in using topical vitamin E oil or taking vitamin E supplements should speak to a healthcare provider before trying.
Learn more about vitamin E oil here.
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Effective techniques for scar healing
There are other ways to reduce the appearance of scars that may be more effective than vitamin E. These include:
Silicone sheets
Hydrogel or silicone gel sheets are soft, flexible, self-adhesive dressings that a person can apply over scars to flatten and soften them.
Silicone may hydrate the scar tissue and reduce the production of collagen fibers. This means that scars may develop flatter, softer, and paler than they would otherwise.
The National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom suggest using silicone sheets for 12 hours a day for at least 3 months.
Learn more about scar tissue here.
Massage
Scar massage is one of the most common treatments for scar management. According to the British Skin Foundation, massage may help to reduce pain, itching, and sensitivity. It may also soften some scars.
For older or mature scars of 10 centimeters squared (cm2), massage for 5 minutes 3–4 times per day. A scar specialist can help assess the best technique for a particular scar.
Learn more about scar tissue pain and how massage may help.
Dermarolling
Dermarolling, or microneedling, is a procedure that involves rolling tiny needles over the skin’s surface. Some people think that by creating tiny injuries, the skin will heal itself and improve the appearance of scars.
A 2014 randomized clinical trial on dermarolling found that after three treatmentsTrusted Source, participants’ acne scars improved compared to a control group. Few participants reported pain from the procedure.
A dermatologist may be able to carry out dermarolling treatments.
Learn how to treat acne scars here.
Other cosmetic procedures
Other procedures that may reduce the appearance of scars include:
Laser therapy:This involves using light to target the blood vessels that make scars appear inflamed. The NHS say it might also stimulate collagen production and reduce pitting. However, not many long-term studies exist on the effectiveness of laser therapy for this purpose.
Dermal fillers: Dermal fillers are injections that contain substances to plump the skin. This can reduce the appearance of pitted scars, but the effects are temporary.
Cryotherapy: Practitioners sometimes use cryotherapy to freeze keloid scars and stop them from growing. It can also flatten them. This therapy involves using liquid nitrogen, which may lighten the skin in the surrounding area.
Learn the difference between Botox and dermal fillers here.
How long do scars take to fade?
While most scars fade over time, many are permanent. How long it takes for a scar to fade can depend on the initial injury’s size and depth.
According to the NHS, fine-line scars from injuries such as cuts or surgical incisions can take up to 2 years to flatten and fade. Hypertrophic scars may continue to thicken for 6 months before fading over the next few years.
An older 2008 study looked at scar redness in 103 volunteers. The researchers found that it took 7 monthsTrusted Source, on average, for the redness to fade. In people with darker skin tones, scars may be red, violet, or dark brown.
Learn about acne on dark skin here.
Summary
There is little clinical evidence that vitamin E oil or supplements can help reduce the appearance of scars. There is some anecdotal evidence, but the positive effects people notice may result from moisturizing or massaging the scar, rather than from the vitamin E itself.
Other scar treatments include silicone sheets, massage, and cosmetic procedures that stimulate collagen production, such as dermarolling.
Last medically reviewed on January 12, 2021
DermatologyCosmetic Medicine / Plastic SurgeryComplementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
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Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT — Written by Hana Ames on January 12, 2021
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Best creams for scars 2022: What to consider
How scar cream works
Scar creams
How to use
Other considerations
FAQs
Summary
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.
Scar creams contain ingredients designed to target scar tissue and help restore the skin’s natural look and feel.
The best scar cream for each person will depend on several factors, such as the type of scars they have, how their skin reacts, and the ingredients in the cream.
Keep reading to learn more.
How do scar creams work?
A scar is a part of the skin’s natural repair cycle after a wound. The body works quickly to cover a wound with skin cells and protect it from the outside elements.
As a result, it sometimes creates imperfect cells that contain more collagen than healthy skin cells. Collagen is a protein in your body that helps provide structure to the skin. This is why scars differ in appearance from undamaged skin.
The look of a scar will typically fade with time, though some changes may last longer or be permanent.
Scar creams work in different ways to heal the tissue and reduce the appearance of scars. Some skin creams contain mild exfoliants that rub away the top layer of skin cells and any dead skin in the area.
Other ingredients hydrate the cells, giving them a fuller look, which may reduce the appearance of scars.
Scar creams are only one part of treating a scar. People looking to reduce the appearance of scars should also take other precautions, such as keeping the damaged area out of direct sunlight or wearing sunscreen whenever possible.
Below are some of the top options for scar creams available for purchase.
Quick links:
Best for old and new scars: Mederma Advanced Scar Gel
Best for surgical scars: Scaraway Silicone Scar Sheets
Best for cruelty-free scar treatment: Derma E Scar Gel
Best for long-term skin health: Honeydew Concealing Cream
Best for acne scarring: Differin Adapalene Gel
Best for redness and discoloration: LIFE-FLO Cold Pressed Organic Pure Rosehip Seed Oil
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
7 of the best scar creams
How we choose products
Medical News Today chooses products that fit the following criteria where possible:
Use: Products that are suitable for a range of scarring.
Price: Products that are available in a range of budgets.
Ingredients: Products that contain a range of ingredients, such as silicone, allantoin, and shea butter.
Type of product: Products that are available in gel, cream, sheet, and oil forms.
Best for old and new scars: Mederma Advanced Scar Gel
Active ingredient: Allantoin.
Dosage: Once a day.
Size: 0.70 ounces (oz).
Pro: Suitable for acne, surgical scars, burns, and cuts.
Con: May cause itchiness and skin dryness.
Price: Around $15
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is one of the most popular and effective all-around treatments for various scars.
The Mederma website state that the cream is effective for both new and old scars due to acne, surgeries, burns, and cuts.
The main active ingredient in Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is allantoin, which helps moisturize and hydrate the skin cells to reduce the appearance of scars.
The cream also contains other exfoliants and ingredients, such as onion bulb extract, to support the skin and prevent dryness.
When a person uses it on a new scar, they may see effects after about 8 weeks. For older scars, a person may need to regularly apply the gel for up to 6 months before seeing any results.
Some people may experience itchiness and skin dryness. This may be due to using too much of the gel.
Best for surgical scars: ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets
Active ingredient: Silicone
Dosage: Place one sheet on the scar.
Size: 12 sheets per pack.
Pro: This product is comfortable to use throughout the day.
Con: Some people may experience irritation from the adhesive.
Price: Around $40
ScarAway Silicone Scar Sheets are simple fabric-backed sheets containing silicone. This silicone layer acts as a natural barrier, mimicking the barrier from healthy skin. This may help reduce scar formation or cause scar tissue to fade.
ScarAway state that the sheets prevent or treat abnormal scarring due to injuries, keloid scars, and scars from surgeries, such as cesarean deliveries and tummy tucks.
The flexible, breathable sheets make them easy to wear throughout the day for many people. Some may find the adhesive irritating.
The healing time can vary based on several factors. For fresh scars, a person may notice results in a few weeks. Older scars may take longer to heal.
Best for cruelty-free scar treatment: Derma E Scar Gel
Active ingredients: Allicin, allantoin, and panthenol.
Dosage: Apply the gel 2-3 times daily.
Size: 2 oz.
Pro: May help smooth skin and reduce the appearance of scars.
Con: Some people may find the gel too thick.
Price: $20.95
Derma E Scar gel is a natural choice for scar reduction. The gel contains onion bulb extract allicin, which is an antioxidant. Allantoin works to hydrate the skin. It also contains the vitamin panthenol, which may help smooth skin.
Together, these ingredients work to reduce the appearance of scars and improve the skin’s health.
The Derma E company uses natural, cruelty-free ingredients, which may be important for some.
The website recommends applying the gel 2–3 times daily. Improvements may take 8 weeks to show up in fresh scars. Older scars may take as long as 6 months for noticeable improvements.
Best for long-term skin health: Honeydew Concealing Cream
Active ingredients: Shea butter, rosehip oil, and jojoba oil.
Dosage: Apply the cream daily.
Size: 4 oz.
Pro: May provide extra moisture to healing skin.
Con: Results may vary between individuals.
Price: $11.95.
Honeydew Scar Cream contains many ingredients and oils to enrich and enliven the skin. It may be best as a long-term option for skin health and fading scars naturally.
The cream contains some beneficial oils, such as shea butter, rosehip oil, and jojoba oil, which may improve the look of the skin over time. Other ingredients, such as stearic acid, help protect the skin from losing moisture.