{"id":13660,"date":"2020-04-03T07:10:00","date_gmt":"2020-04-03T14:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/?p=13660"},"modified":"2020-06-23T14:54:32","modified_gmt":"2020-06-23T21:54:32","slug":"best-over-the-counter-scar-treatments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.realself.com\/news\/best-over-the-counter-scar-treatments","title":{"rendered":"The Best Over-the-Counter Scar Treatments, According to Doctors and Real Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

As someone who has struggled with compulsive skin picking<\/a> for nearly half my life, I think about scars<\/a>—how to prevent them, how to erase them, how to accept them—far more often than I’d like. That scene in The Hunger Games<\/em> after Katniss wins where she gets a full-body polish that removes every scar she’s acquired? Yeah, I’d volunteer as tribute just for the chance to win that<\/em> prize. <\/p>

Aesthetic medicine has come far, but alas, we aren’t quite there yet. “Scars are permanent and result from damage to the underlying collagen in the dermis. We can often make them better with various treatments, but removing them entirely is not practical even with the most sophisticated technology,” says Dr. Shari Marchbein<\/a>, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. <\/p>

It’s also important to remember that “scar” really just refers to any mark left behind after an injury to the skin—be it a rapid growth spurt, sun damage, a burn, or surgery—and what works on one person’s scar may not work on yours. (That being said, sunscreen works for everyone—both as a preventive and reparative measure.) But before you add everything on Amazon to your cart and hope for the best, these are the best OTC scar treatments, according to RealSelf members and doctors. <\/p>

Interested in scar treatment?<\/small><\/div>Find Doctors Near You<\/a><\/div>

For stretch marks, discoloration, and uneven skin tone<\/h2>

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil (<\/strong>$21.99<\/strong><\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>

“This is my holy grail product for discoloration and minor scarring (aka nothing raised) on my body. I’ve been using it for years, and its formula of healing plant oils, including calendula and chamomile, and retinyl palmitate has yet to let me down. My friend massaged the oil into her stomach and legs throughout her entire pregnancy and credits it as the reason she didn’t develop any stretch marks<\/a>.” —Alix, 30<\/p>

Related: 5 RealSelf Members Share Why Their Procedure Was Worth It<\/a><\/em><\/p>

For post-op scar prevention <\/h2>

Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly (<\/strong>$3.49<\/strong><\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>

“In my office, after surgical procedures and at home (after cuts, scrapes, burns, et cetera), I always use Vaseline jelly. This is especially important after surgical procedures and biopsies, to speed wound healing, improve scar appearance, and prevent scabbing. Studies have clearly shown that keeping a wound moist and not allowing it to dry out and scab leads to better and quicker healing and that antibiotic ointments are not necessary for clean or sterile procedures in most cases—in fact, antibiotic ointments can cause allergic contact dermatitis, which is much more rare with Vaseline jelly.” —Dr. Marchbein<\/p>

Stratpharma Stratacel Film-Forming Wound Dressing for Sensitive Skin (<\/strong>$69<\/strong><\/a>)<\/strong><\/h3>

“Stratacel is an OTC silicone gel that I like to recommend for the treatment of both old and new scars and to help prevent keloids. Skin likes a moist wound-healing environment, and Stratacel minimizes water loss while maintaining oxygen exchange. Stratacel dries down to a thin, flexible film, which keeps bacteria out but leaves the wound exudate [drainage] in place. This optimizes the healing environment, as the exudate has growth factors that promote healing. The gel can be applied directly onto open wounds without causing any irritation, and you can apply makeup over it. Clinical studies show that Stratacel is associated with less inflammation and [fewer] pigment alterations when compared to traditional dressings. I like to apply Stratacel after lasers and microneedling, as it helps to cool the skin and decrease redness and stinging.” —Dr. Jessie Cheung<\/a>, board-certified dermatologist in Willowbrook, Illinois <\/p>

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