The Best Surgery Scar Creams for Old Scars

If you need surgery, the potential for scarring may be the last thing on your mind. However, scarring is a natural part of the wound healing process, and surgery is bound to leave some marks. The severity of a scar is determined by a number of factors, including genetics, age, color of your skin, and the location, depth and size of your wound. Some creams may help fade old surgery scars. Consult your physician for more advice.

Scarring is a natural part of the post-surgery healing process. (Image: Andersen Ross/Blend Images/Getty Images)

Mederma Scar Cream Plus SPF 30

Mederma's active ingredient is an extract derived from allium cepa, the common garden onion. Mederma is the scar cream brand most often recommended by pharmacists, according to industry website Pharmacy Times OTC Guide. According to an article by Dr. Zoe Draelos in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, onion extract serves as both an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, and may help to organize collagen fibers. Draelos studied a group of patients who used Mederma on their surgical scars and compared them to a group of patients who used a placebo instead. The scars of those who used Mederma were superior in texture, color and global appearance compared to those in the non-Mederma group. In addition to onion extract, Mederma Scar Cream Plus SPF 30 contains sunscreen, important because the sun's rays can darken and thicken existing scars.

Bioskinrepair

The main ingredient in Bioskinrepair is a serum secreted by a creature called Helix Aspersa Müller, more familiarly called the garden snail. This secretion allows the snails to renew, repair and moisturize their own shells and skin. The observation of this snail's capability inspired the development of Bioskinrepair, a cream that is designed to heal burn scars, keloids and post-surgery scars. In addition to snail serum, Bioskinrepair contains botanical extracts from the butterbur herb and the elder tree. An article published in "Evidence Based Alternative and Complementary Medicine" states that snails have been used since ancient times to help heal abscesses, dermatological diseases and wounds.

Kelo-Cote

Silicone, the main ingredient in Kelo-Cote, has been recommended by the International Advisory Panel on Scar Management as the gold standard in scar treatment. As Kelo-Kote dries on the skin, it forms an invisible waterproof membrane that helps smooth, soften and flatten post-surgery scars while helping to maintain moisture and elasticity in the adjacent skin. This product may be used to fade acne scars, chicken pox scars and stretch marks, in addition to old surgery scars.