Wedding Blog

Miss Snow Pea mentioned using Mederma in her to-do list, to remove scars on her arms. I didn’t really realize I needed something to minimize my scars until she pointed it out. Whoops.

After being a long-time eczema sufferer and slight klutz, I am scarred like you wouldn’t believe. Luckily my legs (the worst sufferers of my longtime scratching) will be covered during the wedding, but in a strapless dress, there’s really nothing I can do to hide my scars, short of applying skin makeup. To be honest, if it had to go that far, I truly would rather just use the photographer’s photoshop!

Anyway, according to “Go Ask Alice” online, there are many ways to fade the appearance of scars. While impossible to remove a scar, these treatments may help the scars be less noticable.

Onion Extract acts as an anti-inflammatory and seems to inhibit the over-production of collagen in a scar. Onion extract is available in the United States as a gel by itself, but is also an ingredient in Mederma gel, a widely used scar treatment (that Miss Snow Pea mentioned). Onion extract, by itself or as part of another course of treatment, requires consistent use over several months in order to produce any effect.

Silicone, available either as a gel or in rubber-like sheets, has been found to lighten and flatten scars. You apply the gel directly to the scar or use medical tape to cover the scar with the silicone sheet. It isn’t known exactly how silicone helps scars heal - some researchers think that static electricity from the silicone helps align collagen fibers in the scar, while others think it might help trap moisture, which can help make scars fade.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are natural fruit acids that are used to exfoliate (remove) dead skin cells. This process can improve the appearance of acne scars and reduce redness, as well as wrinkles and signs of aging. If you decide to use alpha hydroxy, investigate the various strengths and use the mildest. For people with sensitive skin, alpha hydroxy can cause irritation, stinging, and other problems. A health care provider or dermatologist can advise you on which types and concentrations of alpha hydroxy acids you can try.

Also mentioned on “Go Ask Alice”: Some studies have concluded that over-the-counter scar treatments are 25 - 50 percent effective at reducing the spreading and darkening of scars. In other words, these treatments are effective for some, but not for everyone who uses them.

So there are a ton of options out there, but I’ve yet to find a site that mentions brands with pros and cons. Has anyone had any luck with scar fading products?