Scar care
Injuries, operations, accidents: Scars almost always remain afterwards. Depending on the size and part of the body, they are perceived as a blemish by those affected. In the worst case, the scar gnaws away at their self-esteem to such an extent that they hardly dare to be around people or the body part is consistently hidden under clothing, even in high summer temperatures. Yet the formation of scars is actually an important protective and repair function of our body so that the wound closes quickly after the injury. And to ensure that no important time is lost in closing the wound, the organism foregoes some details in the repair process. This means that the newly formed tissue has no sebaceous or sweat glands, no hair follicles and no pigment cells. Therefore, no hairs grow here later and the skin remains pale.
Basically, a distinction is made between three different types of scars: atrophic, hypertrophic and keloid scars. In atrophic scars, the new tissue is usually somewhat thinner than the rest of the skin. The scars are slightly sunken and look like tiny craters. Acne scars are a very typical example of this.
Hypertrophic scars, on the other hand, look relatively bulging and thick because too much replacement tissue is formed here. Over time, they recede, but this can take years and often they remain clearly visible later.
Those affected suffer particularly from keloid scars. With this type of scar, the new tissue grows beyond the scar, and there is no regression later. The proliferation therefore remains, which in many cases is hereditary.
Good scar care is important to keep scars small and inconspicuous. Those who do without scar care may even risk a less favourable healing process: for example, if the scar is very itchy and the person affected cannot resist the urge to scratch. And especially after operations, the stitches often cause an unpleasant feeling of tension. Patients press against the healing wound, which in turn can promote growths. With scar care, which involves gently massaging or creaming the corresponding part of the body, accompanying symptoms such as itching, pain or feelings of tension are significantly reduced and the wound can heal in peace. As a result, the scar remains as inconspicuous as possible.
But how does good scar care work? And which products are suitable for scar care?
Products for scar care
There are many different products that can be used for scar care. It can be a cream, an ointment, a gel, a mask or even a scar oil. Scar creams are usually based on a water/oil mixture, they have a smooth texture and can be massaged in very well. A cream can be used as early as one day after stitches have been removed, but it is also suitable for older scars. Old scar tissue often tends to become hard, usually due to a lack of moisture. For an optimal effect, the scar care should then be applied once to three times a day for a period of about six months.
Scar gels are particularly easy to apply because they dry very quickly. If you use a gel for scar care, you can put on your clothes shortly after application, and if you use it on your face, you can easily cover the scar afterwards.
Oils also play an important role in scar care. They are used as part of a massage and ensure that the tissue becomes more supple, softer, and more elastic. With regular use, the scars then appear flatter and more mobile.
However, it is important that the ingredients are composed in such a way that the formula effectively contributes to scar care. One of these ingredients is calcium pantothenate:
Fact Sheet Calcium Pantothenate
Alternative name: D-calcium salt, vitamin B5
INCI: Pantothenic Acid
CAS number: 137-08-6
EINECS number: 205-278-9
Formation: by conversion from the provitamin panthenol
Description: a slightly hygroscopic, white powder
Use: for wound healing and scar care
The provitamin panthenol, which is transformed into pantothenic acid in the organism, has many positive properties. It stimulates the formation of new cells, accelerates the healing process and contributes to an improvement of the skin’s moisture. When panthenol is absorbed through the skin, it is converted into pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), which in turn stimulates lipid synthesis. The new skin thus becomes beautifully elastic and supple.
Panthenol fact sheet
Alternative name: Provitamin B5
INCI: Panthenol
CAS number: 81-13-0
EINECS number: 201-327-3
Description: A viscous clear mass
Application: For scar care, has itch-relieving, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, improves the skin’s ability to retain moisture, supports the formation of new skin cells.
Many products for scar care contain urea. This active ingredient is not only suitable for dry old skin and calluses, but is also a proven remedy for scars. The tissue becomes softer and more supple, and hardening often disappears after a relatively short time. In addition, the substance contributes to a noticeable reduction in feelings of tension.
Fact Sheet Urea
INCI: Urea
CAS number: 57-13-6
EINECS number: 200-315-5
Description: a crystalline, colourless and odourless solid substance
Use: for scar care, dry, cracked skin and calluses
Allantoin is a natural plant substance that is found in high concentrations in comfrey, wheat germ and horse chestnut. In humans and animals, however, the substance is also produced as a decomposition product of uric acid. Allantoin has long been used to treat scars or wounds. The appearance of scars can be visibly improved through targeted application as part of scar care, but the substance is also able to reduce or even prevent the formation of excessively large hypertrophic scars and keloids. In many cases, treatment with ointments containing allantoin results in the scars no longer standing out so clearly from the surrounding skin.
Fact Sheet Allantoin
INCI: Allantoin
CAS number: 97-59-6
Description: colourless solid
Application: for scar care, helps to accelerate cell regeneration, supports cell regeneration, used to heal wounds that are difficult to heal.
Aloe vera contains a lot of saponins and has both antibacterial and antifungal effects. The fact that the ingredients can also help with cell renewal is also no longer a secret. Appropriate products for scar care keep the skin elastic and smooth and can contribute to a more inconspicuous appearance of the scars. They support the regeneration process of the skin tissue, increase the elasticity of the scar tissue and have a skin-soothing effect.
Fact Sheet Aloe vera
INCI: Aloe barbadensis Leaf Extract
CAS number: 85507-69-3
EINECS number: 287-390-8
Application: For scar care, cools scars, has a positive effect on the size and appearance of scars.
Rosemary oil is traditionally used in naturopathy for poorly healing wounds. It has a circulation-promoting and slightly astringent effect, prevents dirt and bacteria from penetrating the wound and supplies the skin with oxygen. This speeds up the healing of the wound and prevents the formation of too many scars.
Fact Sheet Rosemary Oil
INCI: Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil
CAS number: 8000-25-7
EINECS number: 283-291-9
Description: Essential oil from the flower tips and leaves of rosemary.
Use: for scar care, nourishing and regenerating, promotes circulation
Onion extract is suitable for scar care of keloids and hypertrophic scars. It is contained in many scar creams and has a bactericidal, anti-inflammatory effect as well as inhibiting fibroblast proliferation. In formulations, onion extract is often used together with allantoin because the interaction of both active ingredients prevents the formation of visually disturbing scars after operations, burns and accidents as well as the formation of scar tumours after injuries.
Fact Sheet Onion Extract
INCI: Allium Cepa Bulb Extract
CAS number: 8054-39-5
EINECS number: 232-498-2
Application: for scar care
When selecting products for scar care, it is important to bear in mind that scars can look completely different depending on age, sex, skin colour and body part. Hormones, for example, have a particularly large influence on the condition of scars.
Highly effective products for scar care from Cosmacon
Literature:
Silicone gel sheeting for treating hypertrophic scars. Jiang Q, Chen J, Tian F, Liu Z.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2021 Sep 26;9(9):CD013357
Skin scarring: Latest update on objective assessment and optimal management. Basson R, Bayat A.Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Oct 5;9:942756