Scar cream

A scar cream, also known as a scar ointment or scar gel , medically often referred to as a topical scar preparation , is a skin cream that is intended to reduce scarring after a skin injury.

Well healing 4 cm long, non-hypertropic scar

composition

Scar prevention products are available as ointments, creams or gels. These products can contain heparin or allantoin , dexpanthenol and urea as active ingredients . In general, these ingredients increase the suppleness of the tissue by absorbing water. There are also extracts from lemon balm , arnica , onions or chamomile .

effect

Creams containing heparin are said to support the formation of scars and the healing of hypertrophic scars . Similar to onion extract, heparin inhibits the proliferation of fibroblasts and blocks inflammation. Allantoin and dexpanthenol promote epithelialization and the plant components of lemon balm, chamomile and arnica increase the local blood circulation in the scar area.

application

Since scar cream is applied externally ( topically ), it can only be applied after an injury has healed. In the case of a sutured wound, the earliest possible time is after the thread holes have healed - typically the day after the threads are pulled. In the case of surgical wounds, treatment of the wound with a scar ointment begins no earlier than 14 days after the operation. The application is said to accelerate the healing of the skin and prevent the formation of excess scar tissue. These products are less suitable for treating keloids .

Treatment length and success

Treatment with a scar cream can also be effective for older scars. Depending on the condition of the scar and the degree of healing, it is recommended to use the products one to three times a day over a period of several months. The cooperation of the patient is crucial for the successful treatment of a scar with scar cream, since the affected people mostly apply the products themselves. The cream is first gently applied to the fresh scar tissue. When the tissue has solidified, the ointment can be massaged in vigorously in the further course of the treatment.

The effect of the scar creams, ointments and gels can be increased by covering them with a semipermeable film and compressing the affected limbs.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Scar treatment agents . In: Roche Lexicon; accessed on August 11, 2019
2. ↑ With cold, laser and onion extract . In: Deutsche Apothekerzeitung (online), September 11, 2014; accessed on August 11, 2019
3. ↑ ^{a b} Wiltrud Probst, Anette Vasel-Biergans: Wound Management An Illustrated Guide for Doctors and Pharmacists . Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, Stuttgart 2004, ISBN 3-8047-2036-6 , p. 264
4. ↑ ^{a b c} Anette Vasel-Biergans, Wiltrud Probst: wound care for nursing. A practice book . Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft, Stuttgart 2005, ISBN 3-8047-2071-4 , pp. 229-231
5. ↑ Medicinal Prescription Report 2007

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