Products for Scarring & Post-Procedure

Scars are a natural part of the skin healing process, but they don’t always look or feel great, which can leave people feeling less than confident. Whether you’re worried about new scarring after an injury, surgery, or dermatologic treatment or you want to reduce the appearance of old scars, there are numerous skincare products available that will help. Keep reading to learn more about why scar tissue develops and how certain skincare products reduce the appearance of scar tissue.

What Causes Scarring?

Following a skin injury (burn, cut, surgery, acne, psoriasis, chickenpox, etc.), the body goes to work trying to repair itself. Fibrous tissues form to hold the skin together. The quick work of developing cells to repair damaged skin often means that the new skin doesn’t look or feel the same as the skin in surrounding areas. This new, healing skin is scar tissue. There are different types of scars, including:

• Atrophic scars – These are depressions in the skin that are commonly associated with healing chickenpox and acne scars.
• Contracture scars – A tightening of the skin that occurs as the skin attempts to repair itself after burns, which can impede movement when it develops near joints and other areas.
• Hypertrophic scars – A raised scar above a healing wound site. This is the most common type of scarring.
• Keloid scars – These scars occur when the body overreacts to damage, causing scar tissue that is much larger than the originally damaged area. These scars may not stop growing without treatment.
• Stretch marks – These types of scars develop when the skin stretches quickly. They commonly develop during pregnancy, after growth spurts, and after rapid weight loss or gain.

What Scar Removal Products Really Work?

The skin can undergo numerous changes related to scarring, including hyperpigmentation, redness, skin lightening, skin thickening, changes in texture, and atrophy or sinking. Skincare products for scarring are formulated to address one or more of these changes to the skin’s health and appearance.

Many products claim to improve the appearance of scarred skin, but not all products are created equal. Below, we’ve provided descriptions of some of the top dermatologist-recommended skincare products:

Silagen 100% Silicone Gel

Silicone therapies have been relied on for years to help improve the appearance of scars. Numerous over-the-counter scar treatments utilize silicone, which hydrates skin and regulates fibroblast production, allowing the skin to heal softer and flatter. However, these products don’t necessarily have the dermatologic research and support to back them, which is why the Silagen team went to work developing a product that is medical-grade and proven effective. Silagen 100% Silicone Gel is a physician-exclusive product that utilizes medical-grade silicone that is non-irritating and non-comedogenic (won’t cause pimples). The fast-absorbing, silky formula is safe and effective for all skin types.

ALASTIN Skincare Regenerating Skin Nectar

The ALASTIN Skincare product line was designed for post-procedure skincare. That means the formulas are engineered with advanced technology and ingredients guaranteed to promote skin healing and regeneration. If you have a cosmetic procedure planned in the near future, struggle with eczema or severe acne breakouts, or you’re managing other skin conditions like psoriasis or rosacea, you need to incorporate the ALASTIN Skincare Regenerating Skin Nectar as part of your morning and evening skincare routines. This hydrating cream is safe for all skin types, including aging, sensitive, and rosacea-prone skin. It is free from drying and irritating ingredients like water and preservatives, so it won’t cause skin inflammation, itching, or dryness during healing. It is also one of the best products for acne scars. The ALASTIN Skincare Regenerating Skin Nectar immediately soothes skin after damage or treatment, for less discomfort and redness during healing. Over time, daily use promotes the turnover of damaged skin cells, collagen, and elastin while increasing the production of these vital components of healthy-looking and feeling skin. If you’re using this product following a dermatologic procedure, it also helps to enhance and preserve the benefits of these treatments.

Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream

If you’ve recently injured your skin, undergone surgery, or need to prevent potential damage from chronic skin conditions, the Avene Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream is the ideal solution. This product is designed to promote skin restoration and renewal. This deep-nourishing cream offers advanced hydration combined with postbiotics to repair damage and protect skin from environmental irritants. This minimizes the risk of scarring and promotes faster healing and recovery. Best of all, the gentle formula is safe and effective for all skin types, and it can even be used on infants and children.

EltaMD Skin Recovery Serum

If you’re fighting redness and discoloration after a skin injury, the EltaMD Skin Recovery Serum needs to be part of your daily skincare routine. This product is formulated to soothe and heal skin, and it’s proven to visibly reduce skin redness in as little as 24 hours. Additionally, this skincare product penetrates deep below the skin’s surface and helps promote the production of healthy skin cells from the inside out.

ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Actinica

Everyone should be using sunscreen every day, but those who have had a recent injury or who received a dermatologic treatment need to protect their skin from potential sun damage as it heals. ISDIN Photo Eryfotona Actinica is a mineral sunscreen formulated to protect skin from sun damage as well as promote skin healing for those with existing sun damage, new scars, or healing skin injuries.

Are There Other Scar Removal Options?

In addition to skincare products, there are other dermatologic scar removal treatments available to address the appearance of scars or other concerns related to scar tissue. This may be especially important for contracture scars and other scars that cause concerns with function as well as appearance. Common scar removal treatment options include:

• Laser scar removal – Laser therapies can be used to address discoloration and texture changes caused by scarring.
• PRP – Platelet-rich plasma therapy, or PRP, is a non-surgical method of skin rejuvenation that uses your own blood to improve the appearance of facial tissue including scars.
• Microneedling - A procedure that creates “micro-injuries” that encourage the skin to stimulate collagen production which improved the appearance of scars.
• Dermal fillers – Can be used to address atrophic scars (like chicken pox and acne) that cause an indentation in the skin and need to be refilled.
• Chemical peels & microneedling – Treatments that remove the outer surface of the skin can promote healing and reduce the appearance of scar tissue.
• Bleaching – For scar tissue that causes discoloration, bleaching agents are used to diminish the appearance of hyperpigmentation related to scarring.

Should I Change My Skincare Routine?

Whether you’re worried about scarring or other skin health concerns, the DermSkincare team has you covered. We have products geared toward keeping your skin healthy, managing chronic skin conditions, and improving the appearance of your skin. All of our skincare products are curated by trusted dermatologists from U.S. Dermatology Partners, so you can trust these products are dermatologist-approved for your skincare needs.