Topical Treatment for Prevention or Treatment of Scars

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TOPICAL VITAMIN E

Over the years, the development of hypertrophic scars has remained an unsolved problem in wound healing. Topical Vitamin E (tocotrienol) is increasingly popular among the public for scar prevention and treatment. A significant number of health professionals believe that topical vitamin E could help in improving the appearance of scars despite the lack of scientific evidence. There is little evidence from well-controlled and randomized clinical trials to justify the beneficial use of Vitamin E in surgical scars. (6)

Studies have suggested the involvement of free radicals in the formation of hypertrophic scars following thermal injuries. This condition may be weakened by the antioxidant properties of Vitamin E that cause scavenging of the free radicals. Vitamin E can inhibit the inflammatory response and collagen synthesis. All these unique properties of Vitamin E may be valuable in modifying undesirable scar formation. (6,13)

Palmieri et al. (1995) conducted a randomized, simple-blind study to evaluate the efficacy of Vitamin E added Silicone gel sheets in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Eighty patienst, of both sexes, aged between 18 and 63 years, and have developed hypertrophic scars and keloids after surgery or burns. The time between surgery or burn and the beginning of the treatment ranged between 3 months and 2 years. (10) The preliminary evaluation was related to the patient’s symptoms such as itching, pain, and skin changes (red, swollen, hard to touch, limiting function). Patients were randomized into two groups. Forty patients in Group A had their scar covered with a silicon gel sheet with added vitamin E; forty patients in Group B had their scar covered wi...

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... Commonly Used Petrolatum-Based Ointments." Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.12 (2): 163-164. Print.

Palmieri, MD, Benlamino, Glauco Gozzi, MD, and Gaspare Palmieri. "Vitamin E added Silicone Gel Sheets for Treatment of Hypertrophic scars and Keloids." International Journal of Dermatology 34: 506-509. Print.

"Physician Trusted, Patient Preferred 1." Kelo-cote silicone scar treatment. N.p., 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 May 2014. .

Vachiramon, Vasanop, Kumutnart Chanprapaph, Somsak Tanrattanakorn, Penpun Wattanakrai, and Pranee Wongkitisophon. "Effectiveness of Onion Extract Gel on Surgical Scars in Asians." Dermatology Research and Practice: 1-6. Print.

Zurada, AB, Joanna M., David Kriegel, MD, and Ira C. Davis, MD. "Topical treatments for hypertrophic scars." American Academy of Dermatology 55: 1024-1031. Web. 1 Apr. 2014.

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