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In this post, I provide the facts about ScarAway vs. Mederma, including key ingredients, clinical studies, customer reviews, and my personal experience.
overall i recommendScarAway Silikon-Narbengelfor "risk scars" such as hypertrophic and keloid scars from severe burns, surgery, car accidents and acne andMederma Advanced Healing GelFor "low risk scarring" such as kitchen burns, minor cuts and scrapes, and minor bruises.
TIED TOGETHER:
- Top 10 Scar Gels (2021 ✅)
ScarAway x Mederma
ScarAway
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✅Best for:high risk scars
✅principal ingredient:Silicone
✅Investigation:2x deer cloud
✅Clinical evidence:Hard
✅Side effects:None
✅Assessments:6.500+
✅Cheap:bom
Mederma
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✅Best for:low risk scars
✅principal ingredient:onion extract
✅Investigation:1x daily
⚠️ Clinical proof:Mixed
❌Side effects:itching, redness
✅Assessments:16.000+
✅Cheap:very good
💡Here is the main difference between ScarAway and Mederma: ScarAwayis a silicone gel with a ball applicator that has proven to bestrong clinical evidence for the treatment of scarswetterMedermais an onion extract gel that has proven to bemixed clinical evidence for scar treatment.
ScarAwayis a popular brand of scar care products (silicone gels and silicone sheets) sold almost everywhere, including major retailers, drugstores and online.
I have used many ScarAway products in the past including yoursBest selling silicone scar sheetand its unique silicone healing gel with balloon applicator.
Silicone gels and silicone sheets were usedThe Gold Standard of Scar Treatmentfor decades and are recommended in the International Clinical Recommendations on the Management of Scars. (Source:Dermatologic Surgery, 2014)
A silicone gel is particularly useful here.reduces the appearance of hypertrophic scars and keloid scarsburns, surgery, car accidents and acne, including size, height and color of scars.
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ScarAway is currently one of the cheapest silicone gels on the market.~$35 per Unze.
While it's pretty easy to buy ScarAway from Amazon, some customers have found that it's actually more expensive than buying it at their local Wal-Mart, Walgreens, or CVS.
However, if you still buy,I also recommend these silicone gels.:
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1. NewGel+ Advanced Silicone Scar Gel 30g (1oz)
NewGel+ is one of my favorite silicone gels as it has and contains a very smooth gel textureVitamin E bolusto hydrate and soften your scars.
NewGel+ is manufactured by NewMedical Technology, Inc., the same company behind premium silicone gel silage.
Although NewGel+ is more expensive~$54 per Unze'Personally, I like the formula better and have seen good results on my own scars (NewGel+ hasMore than 500 reviews on AmazonAlso).
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2. Aromamas Advanced Narbengel 45 g (1 oz)
If you are looking for the cheapest silicone gel then Aromamas is for you.~$30 per Unzeand received thousands of reviews on Amazon.
I personally have not tried Aromas, but it isamazing value for moneyfor this price
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On the other hand,Mederma Advanced Healing Gelis an excellent option forlow risk scarssuch as kitchen burns, minor cuts and scrapes, and minor bruises.
This is because some studies have shown that Mederma helps to minimize the formation of new scars (Drälos, 2012) and is much cheaper than silicone gels in~$16 per Unze.
However, clinical evidence isstill mixed and inconclusive, while silicone gel has been proven repeatedly by randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and medical reviews.
usually if youSohnworried about the appearance of your scar, I recommend using a silicone gel likeScarAwayÖNuevoGel+ 2 times a day for at least 3-6 monthsto give your skin the best chance of optimal recovery after an injury or surgical procedure.
However, if you have an old scar, e.g. B. a mature keloid (older than 2 years), you may want to discuss this with your dermatologistcorticosteroid injectionsalso because I personally found them very usefulsoften my keloid scarsand gradual restoration of a more normal skin color.
DP isin personI've tried almost every silicone gel on the market, including ScarAway, Kelo-Cote, NewGel+, Hiruscar, Strataderm, and Azally. See my full reviewhere.
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Best for:
✅ Hypertrophic scars
✅ Keloids
✅ Burns
✅ Operation / Postoperative
✅ Trauma
✅ Acne Scars
Main ingredients:
⭐ Medical silicone
Main features:
👍 2x daily use
👍 Transparent and odorless
👍 Waterproof
👍 Ball applicator
👍 No side effects
🕓 3-6 months (new scars)
🕓 6+ months (old scars)
find-thembest scar treatment
(Me too! That's why I startedthe dermatological detective🕵️♂️)
While there are many scar creams on the market, did you know that the #1 recommended over-the-counter (OTC) scar treatment issilicone medicinal
In fact, it is an international advisory body of the world's leading dermatologists and plastic surgeons.unanimously recommended silicone productsfor treating scars. (Source:Dermatologic Surgery, 2014)
From Silikon the image tounique semi-permeable barrierThis protects your scar from infection, keeps it hydrated by minimizing water loss and allowing oxygen exchange.
This helps minimize scarring, as research shows that dehydrated skin cells generate inflammatory signals that cause this.stimulate excessive collagen production, resulting in thick, red, raised bands of scar tissue like keloids. (Source:Advances in Wound Care, 2015)
If you're interested, here's a great video about scarring and how silicone works:
Now that you know how silicone works in theory,How effective is it in practice?
It has existed since its inception in the 1980s.Hundreds of clinical studiesin silicone gel and silicone gel sheets.
Fortunately, Hsu et al. (2017) and Wang et al. (2021) reviewed the medical literature and came to the conclusionSilicone is statistically more effective than placebos or no treatment:
- Hsu et al. (2017)analyzed 10 clinical studies and found that silicone statistically reduced the likelihood of developing hypertrophic scars or keloids after surgery
- Wanget al. (2021)analyzed 6 RCTs and found that silicone statistically outperformed control treatments,but only after 6-8 months of treatment
Now that you're up to date, let's take a look at the most popular brand of silicone gel products:ScarAway.
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With more than 6,500 reviews (between 10g and 20g versions),ScarAway Silikon-Narbengelis currently thethe most popular silicone gel on the market. 🏆
Com silicone 100% medicinal,ScarAway offers good value for moneyat ~$35 an ounce, but I've never been a big fan of the balloon applicator.
In case you didn't know, ScarAway uses a rolling ball at the end of the tube that massages your scars as it is applied (massage therapy can help reduce the appearance of the scar).
Nonetheless,Rollerball tends to block product flowand this was the main cause of customer complaints for many years. ScarAway may have recently addressed this issue with a new "Easy Flow Applicator" design.
I personally haven't tried the new version, but if it fixes the problem, it would be ScarAwayone of my top 3 recommendationsat the current price.
For best results,Use ScarAway twice a dayfor continuous 24-hour coverage or toggle betweenScarAway Silicone Scar Sheetsat night andScarAway Silikon-Narbengeldaytime.
If you are looking for an alternative to ScarAway,flavorsoffers best value at ~$30 an ounce.
My verdict:If you have high-risk scars (for example, hypertrophic scars or keloids from burns, surgery, trauma and acne, or a family history of keloids), use a silicone gel such asScarAwayÖflavorsto minimize scarring, promote post-operative recovery, and reduce itching and redness.
Best for:
❌ High risk scarring
✅ Low risk scars
✅ Minor burns
✅ Cuts and Scratches
✅ Hematomas
✅ Minor injuries
Main ingredients:
⭐ Onion Bulb Extract
Allantoin
⭐ Pantenol See More
⭐ Hyaluronic Acid
Main features:
👍 1x daily application
👍 Gel texture
👍 Smoother fragrance
🕓 4-8 weeks (New scars)
🕓 3-6 months (old scars)
With over 16,000 reviews, there's definitely no doubtMedermait's himmost popular scar treatment(Currently the #1 bestseller in scar reduction treatments).
But does Mederma really work on scars?🤔
Before I give you the answer let me first say that I did thisin personmederma used for more than 6 months, I checked theoriginal clinical study in 2012 by Dr. Draels, and consulted the medical literature on scar treatment.
Also, I want you to keep all of this in mind.scarjtreatmentHow differentGenetics plays a key rolehow your body recovers from injury.
For example people withFamily history of keloidsThey are more likely to develop keloids (1/3 of people with keloids have a first-degree relative with keloids).
In short, use Mederma only on “low risk” scars.
Low-risk scars are defined in theInternational clinical recommendations for the treatment of scarsLike the:
- Low risk of scarring:no family history of keloids, no tender areas like chest/chest
- Low patient interest:Are you okay with the outcome of your scar, regardless of the outcome?
In other words,I recommend using Mederma for less severe injuries., such as minor burns, cuts and scrapes, bruises and accidents and other minor injuries.
That's because the main ingredient in Mederma is Advanced Scar GelOnion Bulb Extract(also known asheadin Mederma marketing materials andgarlic onionin the ingredients list).
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according to that2014 international clinical recommendations for scar management (part 2), a highly influential research paper authored by the world's leading scar care experts,There is conflicting evidence about the effectiveness of onion extract for scars.
Some studies have shown positive evidence, such as the original clinical study ofDraeloset al. (2012)sponsored by Merz Pharmaceuticals (parent company of Mederma).
In summary, this study found astatistically significant difference in scar appearancebetween scars treated with Mederma (test group) and untreated scars (control group) after 4-8 weeks.
However, this study has some major flaws:
- control group:In this study, control scars were left completely untreated. that is aextremelylow reference and even then the test group only outperformed the control group after 4 weeks of treatment. I would be more confident if control scars were treated with at least one moisturizer, as wound healing is enhanced when scars are moisturized.
- default group:Of the 44 participants, the vast majority were Caucasian (39), followed by African Americans (4) and Hispanics (1). Not surprisingly, Fitzpatrick's skin types were mostly I and II (both are considered very light skin tones). However, this sample almost completely excludes ethnic skin types, which introduces bias due to the presence of abnormal scars such as keloids.more common in people of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent.
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Other studies have found thatOnion extract was no better than similar topical treatmentsbut it resulted in more frequent side effects (itching, redness) that caused patients to stop using it. (Source:International Journal of Wounds, 2021)
Additionally, many studies used multiple active ingredients in their formulations, making it more difficult to isolate the effects of onion extract. (Source:Dermatologic Surgery, 2014)
Finally, I would like to give my personal opinion on Mederma Advanced Scar Gel6+ funto use it on my chest keloids:
- Investigation:it is very easy to apply (a little sticky but dries quickly)
- Results:I haven't seen any significant improvement in scar height, thickness or redness, whatever my scars look likeeasySofter
- Side effects:I had occasional itching, but the most serious side effect was that the area where I applied Mederma got a little darker (discoloration).
My verdict:Considering the main ingredients, clinical studies and my own experience, I recommendMederma Advanced Healing Gelfor low-risk scarring, as medical evidence is mixed. Mederma can help minimize scarring from minor injuries and speed up the recovery process.
However, for high-risk scars, I recommend using asilicone gelÖsilicone sheetbecause it's safe (no side effects), clinically proven to treat scarring, and reasonably affordable.
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FAQs
Is Mederma or silicone gel better for scars? ›
“Silicone sheets are very effective in treating scars, providing an optimal dressing for helping scars heal,” says Karp. These are more effective than popular onion-extract-based products like Mederma.
Can Mederma flatten scars? ›The truth about Mederma
In other words, there is no observable evidence to support the claim that cepalin is an anti-inflammatory agent that flattens and reduces the appearance of scars.
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.
When should you not use Mederma? ›Stop use and ask a doctor if condition worsens or if symptoms last more than 7 days or clear up and occur again within a few days. Do not use on deep or puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.
What removes scars completely? ›Scars cannot be removed completely, but they can often be made less visible. A GP may refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist) or a plastic surgeon for treatment. Some treatments, such as laser therapy and steroid injections, are not widely available on the NHS, so you'll need to pay for them privately.
What removes scars easily? ›- Medicated Creams or Gels. 1/12. Over-the-counter skin medications such as creams or gels can help. ...
- Silicone Gel. 2/12. ...
- Zinc Supplements. 3/12. ...
- Scar Massage. 4/12. ...
- Injections. 5/12. ...
- Chemical Peel or Dermabrasion. 6/12. ...
- Laser Therapy. 7/12. ...
- Microneedling. 8/12.
- Best Overall: Mederma Advanced Scar Gel. ...
- Best for Acne: Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment. ...
- Best for Face: Derma E Scar Gel. ...
- Best for Body: Cicatricure Face & Body Scar Gel. ...
- Best for Dark Spots: Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum. ...
- Best for Raised Scars: Elaimei Silicone Scar Sheets.
SILAGEN® CAN HELP SOFTEN, FLATTEN, AND REDUCE THE REDNESS OF HYPERTROPHIC SCARS AND KELOIDS, EVEN WHEN OTHER TREATMENTS FAIL. Clinical studies show benefits of silicone therapy on scars up to 4 years old.
How long should you use silicone gel for scars? ›How long should silicone gel be used? Medical silicone should be used on your scars for 2-3 months. This is generally the timeframe that patients see the best results in their scar treatment journey.
How many days does Mederma take to remove scars? ›The recommended treatment period with any of the Mederma® scar treatment products can be up to 6 months, or 8 weeks for new scars.
How long should you use Mederma on a scar? ›
For best results, start using Mederma® PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream as soon as your wound has closed and continue using once nightly for at least 8 weeks on new scars and 3-6 months on existing scars. Make sure the scab has come off naturally and any stitches have been removed.
Is vitamin E or Mederma better for scars? ›Neither trial found that Mederma improved the appearance of scars more than petroleum jelly. Vitamin E oil didn't fare any better. “If it helps,” says Kenneth Arndt, a dermatologist in Newton, Mass., “it's not the E but the oil.” He notes that it often causes skin irritation.
What is the fastest way to heal scar tissue? ›- Physical Therapy. Physical Therapy can be useful for breaking up scar tissue around a joint. ...
- Laser Therapy. ...
- Corticosteroid Injections. ...
- Shockwave Therapy to Break Up Scar Tissue. ...
- Surgery to Get Rid of Scar Tissue.
Mederma® scar creams contain unique triple action formulas that penetrate beneath the skin surface to lock in moisture and to help stimulate collagen production and cell renewal in order to reduce the appearance of scars.
What are the side effects of Mederma scar gel? ›Serious side effects of Mederma
Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects.
What do dermatologists recommend for scars? ›- Reduce the size of a raised scar or keloid.
- Ease symptoms of itch and pain.
The reality is, once a scar forms, there is no way to entirely remove it. Any product or procedure that says it will completely heal your scar should be purchased with caution. Luckily, many scars will fade over time. You may notice that the scar you attained many years ago is nothing but a thin white line now.
What removes scars overnight? ›- Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory and has antibacterial properties so is a great tool in your acne scar treatment arsenal. ...
- Lemon. ...
- Coconut Oil. ...
- Vitamin E Oil. ...
- Baking Soda. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Potato. ...
- Cocoa Butter.
Chemical peels can be used to treat mild scarring. The chemical solution dissolves the outermost layer of the skin to help increase cell turnover and reveal a smoother, less irregular complexion. This treatment works better for people with lighter skin. Aesthetic professionals normally carry out chemical peels.
Which vitamin is good for scars? ›
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. It is the main lipid-soluble antioxidant in the skin.
Which scar does the military use? ›The FN SCAR 16S is a solid tactical carbine. In fact, it's been used in combat by the United States military since 2009, and has been deployed by a wide range of SOCOM units—from Special Forces to U.S. Army Ranges. Question is: Why do special operatives use the FN SCAR?
Does mederma work on 10 year old scars? ›Q: Will Mederma work on old scars? A: Yes, Mederma gel can be used for treating old scars; it will take approximately 3 to 6 months for old scars to improve the condition.
What cream removes old scars? ›- mederma scar cream. no marks cream.
- mederma advanced plus scar gel.
- wound scar removal cream.
The average scar reduction time may be seen in as little as four to eight weeks, but individual results will vary with each patient and results cannot be guaranteed.
Is silicone the best for scars? ›Its effectiveness has been proven time and time again in medical studies. According to the National Institutes of Health, topical silicone gel treatments are the top clinical recommendation in scar management.
Is silicone gel or sheets better for scars? ›All studies demonstrated that both silicone gel and silicone gel sheets were better than placebo in all parameters for hypertrophic scars. Only 2 studies compared silicone gel with silicone gel sheet29,30 and revealed no statistically significant difference between both forms of silicone.
How often should I apply ScarAway gel? ›Scar Away is a reliable brand that makes the gel and tape. The recommendation is to use silicone for 12 hours per day on the scar. You should not start the therapy until the wound is completely healed with no scabby areas or areas that look wet.
Can I leave Mederma overnight? ›First and only overnight scar cream specifically formulated to work while you sleep;Our bodies work harder during sleep to repair and regenerate skin cells; Mederma PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream is formulated to complement this nighttime activity;Once-nightly application is clinically shown to make scars smaller ...
Do you rub Mederma in? ›Mederma Advanced Scar Gel should be evenly applied and gently rubbed into the scar 1X daily for 8 weeks on newer scars and 3-6 months on older scars. Begin using Mederma Advanced as soon as new skin has formed, typically two or more weeks after the injury or surgery.
Can you apply Mederma scar gel more than once a day? ›
For optimal results, use Mederma Intensive Overnight Scar Cream as directed; the product should be applied once a day, at night, each night, for 8 weeks on new scars and once each nighl, every night, for 3 to 6 months on old scars.
Is vitamin E or silicone gel better for scars? ›Silicone is effective for treating all scar types, from acne and burn scars to scars attained from surgery and injury. And unlike vitamin E, silicone is hypoallergenic and safe for all skin types.
Does silicone gel flatten scars? ›[8,9] Silicon gel exerts several actions which may explain this benefit in scars: It increases hydration of stratum corneum and thereby facilitates regulation of fibroblast production and reduction in collagen production. It results into softer and flatter scar.
How do you flatten a scar? ›Lasers may be used to smooth a scar, remove the abnormal color of a scar, or flatten a scar. Most laser therapy for keloid scars is done in conjunction with other treatments, including injections of steroids, use of special dressings, and the use of bandages.
Does silicone gel remove scars? ›Silicone gel heals scars by increasing hydration of the stratum corneum (the uppermost layer of the skin). This facilitates regulation of fibroblast production and also reduces collagen production. Essentially, this allows skin to “breathe”, thus resulting in a softer and flatter scar.
Does silicone gel heal scars? ›[8,9] Silicon gel exerts several actions which may explain this benefit in scars: It increases hydration of stratum corneum and thereby facilitates regulation of fibroblast production and reduction in collagen production. It results into softer and flatter scar.
How effective is silicone gel for scars? ›7 Topical silicone gel was significantly more effective in post-operative scar prevention than placebos or no treatment when evaluated at 6 or more months after surgery, especially for height, pigmentation, and pliability relief (P < . 05).
Does ScarAway work on old scars? ›ScarAway Silicone Scar Gel works on newly healed wounds to prevent scars and softens the look and feel of older scars. Even scars that are years old can become flatter, smoother, and less visible – closer to your skin's natural texture and color.
How often should you apply silicone gel to scars? ›Sheet should extend at least ½ inch beyond the area. Make sure your scar is clean and dry before application, free from any creams, gels, ointments, or powders. Peel off backing and apply to scar, sticky side down. Wear daily for 12 to 22 hours for approximately 3 months.
How long does silicone gel take to work on scars? ›Medical silicone should be used on your scars for 2-3 months. This is generally the timeframe that patients see the best results in their scar treatment journey.
Does silicone flatten old scars? ›
Silicone can help reduce the appearance of new scars, though it may not improve the appearance of old scars. Doctors have used silicone sheeting for over 35 years , and silicone gel is also now in use. Evidence seems to suggest that these options are effective at reducing scars and improving their appearance.
What is the best scar filler? ›- Hyaluronic Acid Fillers. One of the most popular options for dermal filler brands is hyaluronic acid fillers, which are products that plump and hydrate the skin. ...
- PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid) Fillers. ...
- PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) Fillers. ...
- Autologous Fat Transfer.