Review of Over-the-Counter Topical Scar Treatment Products

@article{Shih2007ReviewOO,
  title={Review of Over-the-Counter Topical Scar Treatment Products},
  author={Richard Shih and Joshua T. Waltzman and Gregory Evans},
  journal={Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery},
  year={2007},
  volume={119},
  pages={1091-1095}
}
Postsurgical, traumatic, and burn scars can be painful, pruritic, erythematous, raised, and cosmetically unacceptable. Although a number of over-the-counter products are available to treat symptomatic scars, the peer-reviewed data on the clinical efficacy of these products are limited and/or controv 
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37 Citations
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37 Citations

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Pentoxifylline for the Prevention of Postsurgical Keloid Recurrence.
TLDR
Keloids are abnormal overgrowths of dermal fibrous tissue due to an exaggerated wound healing response after cutaneous insults that occur in patients with a high disease burden.
Cutaneous scarring: Pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms, and scar reduction therapeutics Part I. The molecular basis of scar formation.
Comparison of the effectiveness of topical silicone gel and corticosteroid cream on the pfannenstiel scar prevention - a randomized controlled trial.
TLDR
The use of topical methylprednisolone cream in fresh wounds at the postoperative early period appears to be promising.
Evidence-Based Scar Management: How to Improve Results with Technique and Technology
TLDR
Although scars can never be completely eliminated in an adult, this article presents the most commonly used, evidence-based methods to improve the quality and symptoms of hypertrophic scars, as well as keloid scars and striae distensae.
The effect of topical scar treatment on postoperative scar pain and pruritus after total knee arthroplasty
TLDR
Application of silicone gel had no beneficial effects on scar pain and itching relief during the early postoperative period of TKA.
Reduction of postoperative scar formation with silicone sheeting: 2 case studies.
Update on hypertrophic scar treatment
TLDR
This review will explore the differences between different types of nonsurgical management of hypertrophic scars, focusing on the indications, uses, mechanisms of action, associations and efficacies of the following therapies: silicone, pressure garments, onion extract, intralesional corticoid injections and bleomycin.
Cutaneous scarring: Pathophysiology, molecular mechanisms, and scar reduction therapeutics Part II. Strategies to reduce scar formation after dermatologic procedures.
New therapeutics for the prevention and reduction of scarring.
Summary and evidence grading of over-the-counter scar treatments.
TLDR
Online advertising may tempt patients to buy and trial products to help minimize scarring, although the evidence for the effectiveness of these products is absent to minimal.
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References

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BACKGROUND Post surgical scars can be erythematous, raised, pruritic and painful. Numerous modalities are available to improve the appearance and symptomatology of these scars. A topical onion gel…
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