When acne blemishes heal, they leave scars behind that continue to remind sufferers about their acne. Acne scars can range from minor to severe, but one thing is certain: they can severely affect self-esteem. Mederma is one over-the-counter cream that claims to reduce the appearance and texture of all types of scars, including acne scars.
What Is Mederma?
Mederma was developed specifically to treat different types of scars, everything from stretch marks to burns to acne. Its active ingredient is allium cepa, an extract from onion plants. Onion extract has been shown in clinical tests to inhibit inflammation and promote collagen production. The manufacturer of Mederma stops short of claiming that the cream eliminates scars, but says that with consistent use, they'll become virtually unnoticeable.
Mederma and Acne Scars
Mederma's manufacturers claim that it is the No. 1 doctor-recommended treatment for acne scars. However, independent studies have shown that the active ingredient, allium cepa, does little to improve the appearance of scars. In fact, plain petroleum jelly does just as much to improve the appearance of scars.
Despite those findings, many acne sufferers use Mederma to reduce their scars and have mixed results. Those who find the most success with Mederma have mild acne scars. Those with moderate-to-severe scars find that it doesn't work as well at healing their acne scars.
Best Use for Mederma on Acne Scars
Based on user experience, it's apparent that Mederma works best on minor acne scarring. If you decide to use Mederma to reduce your acne scars, make sure you use a copious amount and apply Mederma consistently three times a day, for up to six months (for older scars). Continue to check your progress over time to see if it's working on your unique skin.
Alternative Acne Scar Treatments
If you find that your acne scars aren't responding to Mederma, it's a good idea to seek out the help of a dermatologist. A dermatologist can evaluate your skin and make a determination on the severity of your acne scars. From there, your dermatologist can recommend, and perform, a number of treatments that are designed to smooth the surface of the skin, including microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing and chemical peels.
Prevent Acne Scarring
The best way to treat acne scars is to avoid getting them in the first place. It's not always possible to avoid acne. However, you can do your part to prevent acne by maintaining a skin-care regimen that includes a cleanser, toner, light moisturizer and topical acne treatments that contain active ingredients like salicylic acid and benzyl peroxide. These products work to block and eliminate the oil and bacteria that causes acne. While it may not keep you acne-free, a skin-care regimen will reduce the number of noticeable blemishes over time.
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