It works great. You can't even see the scar after you're done using it. Usually it takes a little while though. You will start seeing a smoother scar in about a week and a half and start noticing it fading starting in about 2 weeks. It will keep fading more and more after that time. It should be hardly noticeable in about 6 weeks but the tube says 8 weeks. Unbelieveable product though. I had to use it for multiple scars on my face which are not even noticeable anymore.
Scar removal products have to measure up to a few criteria in order to deserve being called the best. These products must first of all have proven efficacy. Furthermore the product should have anti inflammatory aspects, be hydrating, absorbent, hypoallergenic, must cover the scar, provide warmth and allow oxygen to pass through.
Proven efficacy is important because a fair share of reviews are written by advertisers. Furtermore the conclusion of a clinical trial among 97 people with scars who used different scar removal products showed there was no improvement in scar appearance when assessed by physicians. Nevertheless when asked to evaluate their own scars, significantly more people using a certain so called effective product thought their scars were softer and less noticeable.
So when determining which product to choose it is recommended to go by advice from trusted sources and/or scientific findings and by evaluating the product's traits. The following properties are beneficial to effective scar therapy:
Hydration
Damaged skin has a tendency of losing water faster. Keeping scars hydrated for a durable period of time appears to improve scar appearance. Many clinical trials and reviews have demonstrated this. Hydration is thought to reduce water vapor loss and restore the homeostatic process in scars.
Anti-inflammatory
Inflammation plays a critical role in scar formation. Severe damage of the skin produces inflammation, which results in scarring. Thus, scar improvement requires control of inflammation. Still, no current topical scar product except silicone sheeting can address this concern.
Warmth
Scar tissue is created by fibroblasts in the dermis that produce collagen. Collagen is known to be broken down by an enzyme called collagenase. Collagenase is stimulated by higher temperatures so warmth benefits the reduction of scar tissue creation. Scientists have found out that an increased temperature, even by 1°C, will significantly increase collagenase production.
Oxygen
A higher blood flow results in an increase in oxygen supply which leads to an improved skin tone. This can be provided by softly massaging the scar and by exercising regularly. Overstretching the scar tissue should be avoided at all times. Tension on the wound or scar is what also appears to be a major factor in scarring.
Covering scars
Covering up scars reduces the tension on scar tissue. A frequently used measure of scar covering is the aforementioned silicone sheeting. Exactly how silicones work has not been determined yet. But the fact many cosmetic surgeons refer to them as 'the golden standard in scar treatment' is another indication for being the best scar removal product at the moment. Recommended by many cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists, clinical studies have proven silicone gel sheeting to be safe and superior to other occlusive dressings like polyethylene or polyurethane.
Although there is no hard evidence on how silicone scar patches exactly work they cover the scar and are believed to hydrate, have anti inflammatory aspects, are absorbent, hypoallergenic, provide warmth and allow oxygen to pass through.
Since hydration is important in scar therapy, silicone sheeting might be best complemented with the daily use of a good hydrating cream and regular massaging.
About the Author
The writer of this article has used silicone sheeting himself among many other products and found them to be effective where other products were not. His scars got softer, less red, flat instead of raised and blended in because of a more skin-like color.
For extended information and links to scientific reports supporting the statements in this article visit this best scar removal products page.
This entry was posted by admin on January 27, 2010 at 4:09 am, and is filed under laser treatment for acne scars. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
