It’s month 3 of the derma e® Scar Gel Challenge!
The derma e® Scar Gel Challenge is a bit of a godsend for me!
When I was six years old, I was on the playground being chased by a girl who was quite a bit larger than me. She tripped and fell on top of me, and I ended up getting knocked out. I also had a horrible scar on my right knee.
Flash forward to when I was eighteen. I was running to get to my first class — Chemistry up the hill! — and I fell immediately. Blood went everywhere. And then I realized — it was the same scar, reopened. It healed into this raised, pink, garbled mess. I’ve had insecurity when I wear a skirt or shorts ever since.
This is month three. I have applied the Scar Gel two to three times a day several times per week.
Secret #1: How Onion Bulb May Help Scars
There is some research to show that onion bulb extract may have an effect on scars. In a 2002 experiment in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, onion bulb extract was used to treat scars on rabbit ears. The ears showed a statistically significant improvement in dermal collagen organization in comparison to scars that were not treated with the treatment (p < 0.05). (No significant difference in dermal vascularity or inflammation was noted.) The authors of the study proposed that improved dermal collagen organization could have an effect on hypertrophic scar formation, i.e., potentially reducing the formation or degree of raised scars.
Secret #2: How Allantoin May Help Scars
Allantoin is a natural chemical compound that is produced by many organisms, including animals, bacteria and plants. For instance, it can be found in botanical extracts of the comfrey plant as well as in urine from cows and other mammals. Allantoin can also be chemically synthesized. Chemically synthesize bulk allantoin is reportedly identical to natural allantoin, and is therefore considered safe and non-toxic (Examiner).
Allantoin works to soothe inflamed skin, as well as red, flakey patches of skin. Allantoin was noted to reduce hypertrophic scarring as a part of a therapeutic gel in a peer-reviewed scientific study as well (Dermatologic Surgery, 2010).
Secret #3: How Panthenol May Help Scars
Prelminary have indicated that panthenol is good for speedy wound recovery (University of Maryland Medical Center). A study with 100 men found that after two to three days of applying a panthenol-containing cream, many of the test subjects had noticeably less oily skin. After two weeks pores shrank noticeably, acne scars began to heal. Newer acne lesions came about less frequently. By week eight, many of the acne scars had faded and acne emergence was significantly controlled.
Panthenol is a special kind of moisturizer, called a humectant. What separates humectants from your every-day moisturizer is that it puts a protective film on your skin (or hair) while pulling in moisture from your surroundings and depositing it in layers of skin.
Researchers also found that animal scarring was noticeably reduced, and scar tissue tightened, when participants received oral and topical supplements of panthenol (Gregory S Kelly, ND). A study by Jerajangi et al. found that panthenol was also key in reducing skin dispigmentation (from scarring, pimples, etc) and reds (Indian Journal of Dermatology).
[Check out FutureDerm’s Spotlight on Panthenol]
Bottom Line
Studies indicate that onion bulb, allantoin, and panthenol may all help improve the appearance of scars with multiple uses daily over time. Based on these studies (as well as my own experience), I recommend derma e® Scar Gel to help reduce the appearance of scars within three months. #MyScarGelStory
Ingredients in derma e® Scar Gel
Water (Aqua), Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract, Glycerin, Allantoin, Panthenol, Carbomer, Beta-Alanine, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Lavender Fragrance.