Scars happen, but luckily we live in an age where we have amazing products that can help make them disappear. When we’re trying to take advantage of the hundreds of products available, it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose the best one. Two of the most popular silicone gel products that can help you with your scars are Scaraway and Mederma. In this article, I’ll highlight and compare the best features of both products so you can decide who won the Scaraway vs Mederma battle.
When Should You Start Using Silicone Gel on Scars?
You want to start using these babies as soon as possible! As soon as the wound has closed, even if the skin is still slightly red, itchy, or tender, the gel should be applied to help expedite healing and reduce the appearance of scars.
Any scar that is less than 2 years old is optimal for silicone gel’s stellar performance. You can still apply silicone gel on scars older than 2 years, but the most dramatic effects will occur on the younger scars.
How Does Silicone Gel Help?
Silicone sheets work on scars by helping to seal them. This, in turn, helps prevent dehydration of the wound. A dehydrated wound cannot heal properly and leads to significant scarring.
Silicone provides a shield that locks in moisture but still allows your skin to breathe and oxygenate. Your skin needs oxygen to heal.
Silicone also absorbs tension from the scar, resulting in a more narrow scar. Redness reduction is another benefit as silicone sheets prevent new small red blood vessels (called capillaries) from forming.
Finally, force applied by the sheet helps align collagen fibers, resulting in a smaller scar. I don’t know about you…but I think silicone scar sheets are genuinely one of the best things about the 21st century.
Scaraway Vs. Mederma Product Review
To help save time for our beautiful readers below is your guide to the most popular and loved Scaraway and Mederma products you should be using to say adios to your scars.
1. Scaraway Professional Grade Silicone Scar Treatment Sheets
The medical-grade silicone found in these sheets will help you combat any scar that plagues you. Scaraway prides itself in ultra-thin, breathable, flexible, and super durable sheets that feel like a second skin. You might actually forget you’re even wearing them! This product is best used on raised and discolored (hypertrophic and keloid) scars.
2. Mederma Advanced Scar Gel
This product is excellent for any kind of scar you may have, old or new. You only need to apply this product once a day to see results, and a little goes a long way compared to other brands!
Mederma Advanced is one of the most cost-effective scar-reducing products on the market. It has been clinically shown to reduce overall texture, color, and appearance of scars, giving you the confidence you need to show off your skin!
3. Scaraway 100% Silicone Scar Gel
This 100% medical-grade silicone gel dries in minutes but works for hours. Designed to prevent and treat any kind of scar, Scaraway works around the clock safely and gently to make your scars disappear.
This product is very easy to apply with the gel roller applicator and equally easy to cover with sunscreen. Scaraway will help you reclaim your skin in as little as 4-8 weeks.
4. Mederma Kids Skin Care for Scars
If you have an accident-prone child like me, this item will become a staple in your medicine cabinet. It goes on in a fun, purple color, and has a yummy scent kids are sure to love.
It helps soften, smooth, and reduce the appearance of scars, both old and new. Also, it can be used up to 3 times a day for 8 weeks on new scars and up to 6 months for older scars. Take the trauma out of an injury with this fun colored and scented product for your kiddos.
What’s the Difference Between Scaraway and Mederma?
Both Scaraway and Mederma are very safe topical treatments to be used to improve scar appearance. But what makes them unique?
Mederma’s formula uses Cepalin, a proprietary botanical extract that comes from onion extract. Onions are a natural anti-inflammatory. Therefore, Cepalin may be able to reduce the inflammation in your skin around the scar.
Onion also has antihistamine and antiproliferative (reducing the spread of “bad” cells) effects. Research is currently being conducted for further botanical benefits of onion.
Mederma promises “softer, smoother, less noticeable scars” after injury or surgery. Besides onion, the other unique ingredient Mederma contains is allantoin, a chemical compound that acts as a moisturizer and skin protectant.
As previously mentioned, keeping the scar hydrated is the most critical step for healing. Mederma’s effective anti-inflammatory and moisturizing agents could possibly come to the rescue for your skin.
Scaraway is a 100% silicone-based gel that is typically used 60-90 days. It helps treat any scar, old or new, and suitable for all ages. Scaraway is odorless, silky smooth, and non-greasy.
The best part is that it’s a fantastic choice for sensitive skin. It can be used day or night and stays on well, even under sunscreen. Doctors and plastic surgeons around the world recommend and rave about medical-grade silicone treatments like this one.
Is Scaraway or Mederma Better?
Ok, we got to the main question, who won the Scaraway vs Mederma battle? for starters, these are both fantastic products, and they both have their benefits. Both are doctor-recommended. But the truth is, different products work for different bodies.
Personally, I would use Mederma scar gel for small cuts, bruises, or mild burns. On the other hand, if I’m dealing with after-surgery scars Scaraway silicone scar sheets are my go-to choice.
Your body may respond better to medical-grade silicone in Scaraway, which has been studied more, or to the increasingly-popular quercetin in Mederma. My best advice is to keep reading to learn which product better suits you, then take the leap to buy and try.
You’ve got nothing to lose except those scars.
How Long Should You Keep a Scar Out of the Sun?
Scars should be kept out of direct sunlight for at least 1 year. Scars are not quite fully formed until after 2 years. Diligence with sunscreen application will prevent permanent darkening of scars.
How Do You Fade Old Scars?
Below are the best tips you can use to help fade your scars:
- Apply aloe vera daily. Try Holika Holika aloe vera gel to soothe your skin and keep it hydrated.
- Vitamin E is like a glass of water for the skin. Try this vitamin E overnight oil from The Body Shop. I use this every night, and it has done absolute wonders for my old scars!
- Add a dab of organic, raw, unfiltered honey like this one from Wholesome. Cover with a band-aid before bed and then wash off in the morning.
- Keep them out of the sun. And ALWAYS apply sunscreen with a high SPF to recent scars or wear protective clothing to keep them from sun damage. Zinc offers the highest protection. Try this clear zinc product from Sun Bum for ultimate coverage during your fun in the sun.
- Coconut oil. Seriously, is there anything coconut oil can’t fix?! Coco & Co offer the best!
- Lemon or potato, cut fresh and rubbed onto your scar, can help fade old scars.
- Leave on for 10 minutes before washing for best results!
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda, mixed with distilled water and applied for 10 minutes may also do the trick.
- Regular exfoliation will help to increase cell turnover over time, helping your scar fade a little faster. Just don’t overdo it, because then you’ll have other problems to deal with!
- Massage can bring better circulation to skin surfaces. Whether you self-massage, bribe your significant other, or opt for the professionals, your old scars will undoubtedly benefit.
Remember, everyone is different. If one method doesn’t work, feel free to try another!
What Can You Do in the Meantime to Hid Those Scars?
Check out this article (link here) to learn the best ways to cover a scar with makeup. Are you brand new to using silicone scar sheets? Check out these articles (links here) for the easiest, step by step guide you can find on the web and for other excellent silicone scar gel products.
If you have extra sensitive skin, you may want to consult with your derm before trying new products. They can give you the best advice. And remember, when trying new products, always start with a 24-hour skin patch test first!
Laser therapy for scars is also always an option if your scars really hold you back or if your scars don’t respond well to these treatments. Remember, life is short, so if there’s something available and affordable to you, why not take advantage so you can feel comfortable in your own skin?
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed this article on making your scars disappear with Scaraway vs. Mederma. For more of the hottest and freshest beauty blog articles at your fingertips, please visit our blog.
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