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Reduce the appearance and texture of unwanted scars with these scar creams. Gel Material
No matter how careful you are, scars happen. The possibilities for acquiring scars are endless, whether they be from environmental exposures to infections and injuries. While some scars are small and inconspicuous enough to go unnoticed, others may be larger, darker, rougher, or in a highly visible location. If you have a more noticeable scar, you may have considered using a scar cream to help repair it faster. Scar creams can speed healing and moisturize the skin, further promoting health and regrowth.
That said, some scar creams make promises they can’t keep. We tested 30 OTC scar treatment products in the Verywell Testing Lab and assessed them based on overall effectiveness, feel, scent, ease of use, and value. Then, we spoke with dermatologists about the most important things to consider in a scar cream. We then consulted experts and had an expert from our Medical Review Board review this article for medical accuracy.
You'll want to avoid irritants that may cause adverse reactions, such as chemical sunscreens (such as oxybenzone or avobenzone), preservatives and fragrances, fruit acids, and retinol. Dr. Brazzo says some products include these ingredients to reduce hyperpigmentation further, but they tend to cause more irritation on the skin (which can delay the healing process).
Vicki Rapaport, MD, dermatologist and founder of Rapaport Dermatology of Beverly Hills, says there are several types of scars, and you should determine which kind you have before choosing a treatment.
Some scars may fade with scar creams, but others may need treatment from a medical professional like a dermatologist. For example, keloid scars form when the skin creates too much collagen during the healing process, and they typically don't go away independently over time. As a result, these scars can grow fairly large, taking on a dark, thick, rounded appearance. Because of this, they usually require treatment from a dermatologist.
May not work for non-cesarean scars
Looks dirty after 1 to 2 weeks
Form: Sheet | Active Ingredients: Silicone | Dose: 1 strip | Usage: C-section and hysterectomy scars
Even with the advances in modern medicine, women who undergo cesarean sections to deliver their babies still have to live with a noticeable scar afterward—unless they use the Biodermis Epi-Derm C-Strip Package. We found this product simple to use and more effective than most other treatments we tried. After wearing the strip 24/7 for two weeks, our editor’s purple C-section scar turned a faint white. Although it does require a prolonged commitment—you wear, wash, and reuse the strip every day, only removing it for bathing or swimming—we had zero complaints about the strip’s comfort. It didn’t stick to our clothes, come loose, pull at our skin, or leave any residue or discoloration except for a brief white cast for a few minutes after removing it. Most of the time, we forgot we were wearing it.
The strip looked dirty after the first week, and you only get one strip per package. Even though we were happy with the results after two weeks, we would have loved to have another go at it with a second strip without paying for an additional strip.
Sizing is easy to choose
Leaves skin soft and smooth
Uncomfortable to wear for prolonged periods
May work better on old scars versus new ones
Form: Sheet | Active Ingredients: Silicone | Dose: 1 sheet | Usage: Multi-use
We were so happy with how the Boysea Professional Silicone Scar Sheets cream lightened and flattened out an old C-section scar that we picked it as our runner-up for best overall treatment. It was incredibly easy to use and improved our scar enough to recommend it highly. The sheets come on a perforated roll, making it easy to tear off the size you need and remove the backing before applying it to your scar. We were happy that the sheets left no sticky residue on our skin when we removed them. In fact, our skin felt soft, smooth, and supple.
Because the scar we tested with these sheets was more than four years old, we were impressed when they improved both the pigmentation and texture of the scar—especially since we only wore the sheets at night while we slept.
Keeping them on for the recommended 24 hours a day was pretty uncomfortable, so keep that in mind.
Lightens and smooths stubborn scars
Results require a lot of time and diligence
Leaves a slightly sticky residue
Form: Gel | Active Ingredients: Silicone | Dose: Thin coating, twice daily | Usage: Keloid and hypertrophic scars
The Scaraway Silicone Scar Gel probably won’t work miracles on very noticeable scars, but we were pleased enough with its effects that we think it’s a solid choice for people on a budget. The scar we tested this gel on was the size of a nickel with a bumpy texture and multiple colorations. After several months, the rougher parts of the scar smoothed out, and the overall pigmentation of the scar was closer to our skin tone.
While it took a while to see results, we can’t complain about how easy it was to use this product. Because it comes in a roll-on stick, remembering to use it twice daily is super simple. We loved how we could roll on a thin gel layer as part of our daily routine. The consistency made it feel like aloe and gave us a cooling, hydrating sensation. Ultimately, the effects weren’t outstanding, but they were promising enough to motivate us to stick with it (and considering how easy the gel is to use, that was fine with us).
There was a little residue, but not enough to bother us. Also, this product requires dedication, as it won't give noticeable results overnight. If you need speedy or drastic results, you should consider other options.
Noticeably lightens and flattens small scars
Creates a waterproof seal for maximum healing
Can be used twice daily
Works better on small scars versus large ones
Form: Gel | Active Ingredients: Silicone | Dose: Thin coating, twice daily | Usage: Keloid and hypertrophic scars
Using this gel was a bit like laying down a waterproof seal of plastic wrap on our scars, so we recommend the Cimeosil Scar and Laser Gel for nighttime use (i.e., when no one will be giving your scar the side-eye). But we can’t argue with its effectiveness—we used this treatment twice a day for the duration of testing, and by the time we were done, the large scar we were treating had more flesh tones and less reddish-purple tones in it. It also felt both flatter and more sensitized to the touch. Meanwhile, the small scar we treated had a significant reduction in both color and puffiness, flattening out and lightening more to our skin tone.
Our biggest issue with the Cimeosil gel was its texture and consistency. It created a noticeable tacky seal over the skin that was waterproof but also noticeable for the first few hours before blending better into the skin. Unfortunately, over time, it clogged up some of our pores. We didn’t mind it, but that kind of application and appearance isn’t for everyone.
Visibly lightens some types of scars
May work better on old scars versus new ones
Does not affect the texture of scars
Form: Gel | Active Ingredients: Silicone | Dose: Thin coating | Usage: Multi-use
We tested the RejûvaSil Silicone Scar Gel on two flat scars—one about two years old and only three months old. The goal in treating both of these scars was to lighten their pigmentation since neither was raised at the start of our testing. While we saw a noticeable difference in the older scar, noting that it faded nicely to the point of mostly blending in with our skin, we didn’t see the same kind of results with the newer scar.
That said, this gel was fairly easy for us to incorporate into our daily routine; we could smoothly spread a pea-sized amount over each scar, and it left no residue or odor behind. With the right scar (i.e., an older one) and some patience, this gel might improve discoloration.
At $50, we think this one is a bit overpriced for the results it delivers, but the manufacturer also recommends using the gel two to three times per day, and we only managed once on average.
Can be worn for up to 10 days
Sheets need to be trimmed for small scars
Form: Sheet | Active Ingredients: Silicone | Dose: 1 sheet | Usage: Multi-use
If you’re looking for something budget-friendly but don’t think a gel-based product like the Scaraway Silicone Scar Gel is for you, we recommend using the Scaraway Clear Silicone Scar Sheets instead. These soothing, hydrating gel sheets were a dream to wear and became nearly invisible on the skin. They also changed the texture and appearance of four out of five scars we tested, which Dr. Rapaport says is one of the best reasons to use them. According to Dr. Rapaport, the sheets can minimize the visibility of existing and fresh scars, helping to flatten, soften, and smooth them out.
We had trouble peeling off the adhesive backing without the sheets sticking to themselves, which decreased their overall value (because we had to throw two out of six sheets away immediately). We had to trim the sheets to smaller sizes and didn’t get the extended wear advertised with some of our applications. We used them on our feet, so you might have better luck using them on a different body part.
Multiple ingredients for improving coloration and texture
Only needs to be applied once per day
Takes a long time to absorb
Form: Cream | Active Ingredients: Dimethicone, panthenol | Dose: Thin coating, once daily | Usage: Multi-use
We thought the Mederma PM Overnight Scar Cream would be too heavy and thick for our liking. We were pleasantly surprised to find that it had a silky, lightweight application that hydrated our skin and improved the color and texture of our red, raised scar, leaving the skin soft and smooth after using it. Dr. Rapaport credits the cream's effectiveness to ingredients like hyaluronic acid, onion extract, and peptides, which she says have all been shown to minimize the appearance of scars and enhance the skin's texture. Plus, she notes that allowing your skin to absorb the nutrients in the cream overnight aids in its ability to leave you with a healthier, more even complexion.
We found we could get away with using less cream to avoid a sticky feeling and still notice obvious results. The texture and effectiveness of the cream combined make it a solid choice for people looking for a more traditional scar treatment.
While the cream required a bit of patience—the drying time was one of the only things we didn’t love about the Mederma PM cream (along with the strong medicinal smell, which we could have done without).
Verywell Health / Kelly Meehan Brown
Effective even when using less than the recommended dose
Smooths and flattens raised scars
May not stay in place for 24 hours
Sheets need to be trimmed for small scars
Form: Sheet | Active Ingredients: Silicone | Dose: 1 sheet | Usage: Keloid and hypertrophic scars
We tested the Aroamas Scar Professional Silicone Scar Sheets on a four-year-old facial scar where the skin was damaged enough to prohibit hair growth in that area. While it was a little awkward to cut the sheets down to the appropriate size for a facial scar (and we couldn’t leave the sheets on 24/7, as recommended), we were still impressed with the results we saw. Even though we only used the sheets at night, the scar lightened a bit in color and improved in texture. In fact, the scar flattened and smoothed out enough that hair began growing again over the scar for the first time in years.
While the sheets were relatively easy to use and didn’t leave any residue or have any odor, we were a little annoyed that they didn’t stick to our skin or stay in place as well as advertised. Even though it wasn’t practical for us to wear the sheets for a full, 24-hour day, we were disappointed by the strength of the adhesive (though using them on a different part of the body might give you different results).
Three tools to reduce the appearance of scars
Takes only five minutes per day
Painless and easy to use
May work better on new scars versus old ones
Sheets need to be trimmed for small scars
Form: Gel | Active Ingredients: Panthenol, allantoin, silicone | Dose: Thin coating, once daily | Usage: Multi-use
If you’re ready to seriously invest in treating a scar yourself, the Sunnie Skin SCAR SMOOTH™ Medical Grade Scar Reducing Kit contains more than one tool to help you reduce the appearance of scars. Even though the kit had three components (a gel, a wand, and a roll of scar tape), it didn’t take us more than five minutes a day to go through all its steps. Our scar was pretty tough: a pea-sized keloid scar we’ve had for about 20 years. While we didn’t see dramatic results (that’s to be expected with keloid scars, which usually require surgery), we noticed a less dense scar at the end of testing.
In fact, we think the wand is one of the pieces that makes this kit stand out from other gel-based or sheet-style products. It’s designed to break up scar tissue, and we could feel it painlessly doing just that when we used it. We think this treatment trio could be worth the investment for people with newer scars or scars that cover a larger surface area.
This kit may work better on new scars versus old ones. Also, if you're using this on small scars, we suggest trimming the sheets as they may be too big.
The products were also tested on various scars, some old and some new, some raised and others flat or hollow. In total, we tested 30 OTC scar creams. Throughout the lab testing phase and our research, we also relied on the expertise of several dermatologists and plastic surgeons, both in the Lab phase of our testing and during the research process. We narrowed our list down to the final nine based on the following criteria:
We use expert input at every step of reporting, testing, and writing this story. Here are some of the experts we consulted along the way:
It depends on what ingredients it relies on, but scar creams typically promote the regrowth of skin cells so the scar can be filled with normal, undamaged skin. However, different creams work differently based on their ingredients.
Dr. Palm explains silicone, for example, creates a negative pressure environment on an evolving, new scar that stops collagen from overdeveloping and creating keloids. Plant-based ingredients like allantoin and onion extract work by rehydrating and moisturizing the skin, softening the skin bonds, and allowing for regrowth.
You should follow your physician’s directions, says Dr. Palm, but most scar creams can and should be used shortly after your sutures are removed. However, you may need to use a treatment for several months to see the best results.
It depends on the severity of the scar, says Dr. Rapaport, as well as your age, skin type, and the product being used. She recommends giving a product at least two weeks before expecting to see a noticeable difference.
Sarah Bradley has been writing health content since 2017—everything from product roundups and illness FAQs to nutrition explainers and the dish on diet trends. She knows how important it is to receive trustworthy and expert-approved advice about over-the-counter products that manage everyday health conditions, from GI issues and allergies to chronic headaches and joint pain.
Stanford Medicine Health Care. Different Types of Scars and Treatments.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. Acne scars: Diagnosis and treatment.
Conti V, Corbi G, Iannaccone T, et al. Effectiveness and tolerability of a patch containing onion extract and allantoin for cesarean section scars. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:569514. doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.569514
American Academy of Dermatology Association. Scars: Signs and Symptpms.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. "Stretch Marks: Why They Appear And How To Get Rid Of Them." Accessed August 12, 2023.
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