Some say scars are a sign of strength.

That may be true, but scars can be difficult or embarrassing to live with, affecting your courage, confidence, and self-esteem at every turn.

For many people, scars require strategic dressing or time-intensive makeup to cover or lessen their appearance. The good news is that thanks to recent advancements in treatment, there are products on the market today that can actually lessen not only the severity of a scar’s appearance (old and new scars) but also the embarrassment that often accompanies it!

Let’s get started on finding the best scar removal cream for you…

Our top picks – Best Scar Removal Cream

Below we’ve compiled a list of the top scar creams for use on unsightly scars, rating them on effectiveness, customer satisfaction, safe ingredients, and ease of use. No doubt, the best scar creams for you will be found in the list below!

What are scars and how do they occur?

Even though the skin is the body’s largest living organ, your skin is delicate and as fragile as silk. Once the dermis and/or epidermis layer of the skin has been broken (either externally from a cut, or internally as seen in stretch marks), areas of fibrous tissue growth in the damaged area.

A scar, while often unsightly, is a positive sign of the health of your body’s biological process of wound repair. Basically, a scar means healing has taken place. Even though scar tissue is composed of the exact same material as the skin it replaced (using a protein known as collagen), the way the new material “stitches” together is different, hence the unusual appearance of the new skin (scar).

Factors such as the depth, size, and location on the body can affect the appearance of scars. Other influences can change the way a scar looks as well. For instance, even if two people received the exact same cut in the exact same place, the two scars could look different, depending on the age, sex, ethnicity, and genetic makeup of each individual.

How to Prevent Scars

If you’re reading this, chances are you already have a scar you want to get rid of. However, it’s always a good idea to know how to prevent scarring for future reference. Scars form during the wound-healing process. This means you need to take extra care of your skin during this process.

Know that you cannot avoid scars 100%. However, there are ways to minimize their appearance:

• Clean the affected area once a day with some soap and water. Some doctors even recommend applying petroleum jelly to the healing skin and covering it with a bandage.
• Keep the affected area moist and hydrated to prevent it from drying out. This has been shown to reduce scar tissue formation.
• Be sure you remove stitches when it’s time. Leaving them in too long or removing them too late can interfere with healing. Be sure to discuss your options with your doctor.
• Always use sunscreen when stepping outdoors. Sun exposure can make the appearance of a scar more obvious. Injured skin should always have protection from the hot sun before as well as after healing due to sensitive skin.

If you currently have a cut and worry about scarring, follow these tips to lessen the risk of a scar. Then you can always use a scar cream for scar reduction.

Types of Scars

There are several diagnosed scar types found, each having a telltale appearance and attributed cause.

Keloid scars

Keloids are the result of an overly-aggressive healing process, often growing beyond the area of the injury itself. Some keloids can also grow into large, benign, tumors “welts” (also called neoplasms). While this type of scar can occur on almost anyone, keloids are most common in individuals with darker skin. Causes of these raised scars include accidents, surgery scars, acne-prone skin, and body piercing, and some even seem to form unexpectedly.

Contracture scars –

These are burn scars (occur when one has been burnt). Contracture scars can actually tighten and can go deeper into the layers of skin below (affecting muscles and nerves), both of which can make movement difficult.

Atrophic scars –

These are found to be the most common type of scar. Atrophic scars appear as a sunken area or divot in the skin, occurring when critical supporting structures (such as fat and muscle) are removed or lost. Common atrophic scars include severe acne scars, marks associated with chickenpox and other diseases, as well as accident and surgical scars.

Hypertrophic scars –

“Hypertrophic” basically means “highly pigmented skin,” so these scars are reddish, and usually raised scars. However, unlike keloid scars, hypertrophic scars do not extend beyond the area of the injury.

Stretch marks –

Yes, stretch marks (also known as striae) are actually scars. They can occur when the skin is stretched too rapidly (during pregnancy, growth spurts, weight/muscle gain, and/or weight loss). Stretch marks can often fade over years but seldom disappear completely.

Types of treatments

Here’s where we get to the good part: what can be done about those nasty scars? There are several scar treatments available to lessen their appearance or remove them completely.

Surgery – There are several forms of surgery used to help with scars, all successful to varying degrees, depending on the size and severity of the original scar. These forms include scar revision, skin smoothing surgery, and plastic surgery. Do keep in mind though that surgery often involves cutting the skin… so while you may get rid of the original scar, you may be left with a smaller one. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons before going under the knife.

Chemical peels – The process of chemical peels, as with the surgical cutting of the skin, can sometimes seem counterproductive. In a chemical peel, you are literally using chemicals to burn the topmost layers of damaged skin, thereby forcing the body to undergo the healing process to regrow new, hopefully smoother, skin in its place. Again the severity of the scar and its location will dictate the level of chemical peel used, and some peels may actually cause keloid scar formation or infections, so be sure to get all the facts from your doctor or dermatologist before proceeding.

Steroid injections – This method is sometimes used to flatten and soften the appearance of keloid or hypertrophic scars. Since topical steroids will not work on scars, a steroid is injected into the scar itself, repeatedly, over a period of several weeks.

Scar cream – This is the least invasive, least expensive, and a surprisingly effective means to treat scars. The best and most effective creams function by providing non-chemical hydration to the scar area, while speeding up cell turnover. This turnover brings old, damaged, scarred tissue to the surface, so it can be sloughed off. The process should leave new, healthier skin, with little to no sign of the previous scar.

The Benefits of Investing in a Scar Removal Cream

If you’re shopping for a scar cream, chances are you’re aware of the benefits they bring. If not, let us tell you why this is an investment that will be worth your time and money. Here are some of the many reasons people decide on these treatments:

• Boost in confidence. An ugly scar can result in lowered self-esteem and confidence. A scar cream will decrease the appearance of a scar. This will boost confidence levels by making you comfortable in your own skin.
• Inexpensive treatment. A great benefit of scar cream is it is completely affordable! There are several good options for you that will fit your budget and deliver amazing results.
• Safe to use. Scar creams are a great alternative to surgery. Yes, it will take longer for the results to show. However, with a scar cream, you’re not risking something going wrong with the medical procedure. Not only this but you won’t be indisposed after the surgery.

It is very unlikely for a scar cream to cause side effects. This is why it is a commonly sought option among individuals.

What to look for in the best creams

First of all, you have to understand that just as the scar has taken time to fully develop (it can take up to two years before a scar is finished forming), the scar-removal process is no “overnight” thing. Anyone or any scar gel or treatment product that promises otherwise is lying.

That being said, the most effective scar creams will work with your body’s own skin-production cycle (28 days) to speed up skin cells turnover, balance the production and use of collagen in the scar area, reduce itching, and rely on natural and/or proven-safe ingredients. Vitamins and minerals usually found to be most helpful in healing scars include ProVitamin B5, Pentavitin (found in plants), Bilberry,  Niacinamide, and Soy.

You really want to focus on the ingredients when selecting the best scar creams. Try to go for a scar gel that offers all-natural ingredients with as little synthetic additions as possible. Ingredients you want to look for include silicone sheet, hydroquinone, Vitamin E, and alpha hydroxyl acids.

Our list of top picks will save you time, energy, and money during the decision-making process! We’ve narrowed down the list for you, giving you only quality options to choose from.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of looking at that scar every time you look in the mirror, now’s the time to do something. A scar gel is an effective, safe way to return your appearance to the way it was. A great alternative to surgery, you won’t risk the complications associated with surgical procedures.

We hope this guide has given you a clearer understanding of scar removal creams and which ones are the best currently on the market. Independent of which one you decide to try, we’d love to hear about your experience and what you liked/disliked. Share your feedback with us and how it worked for you!