# Scar reduction treatments: Do they work?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scar-reduction-treatments-do-they-work/234011>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [March 13, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scar-reduction-treatments-do-they-work/234011 "2004-03-13T02:14:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![spiralscratch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dfb087/32.png) [@spiralscratch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spiralscratch)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scar-reduction-treatments-do-they-work/234011/1 "2004-03-13T02:14:54Z")

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I’ve had a fairly decent-sized scar on my upper forehead since I was seven years old (roughly 24 years). As I’ve gotten older and my hair line has receded it’s become much more prominent. It’s not horrible looking, but it bugs me a bit. I’d thought about the idea of plastic surgery to get rid of it (mostly), but that would be costly I’m sure.

Recently I discovered that a few creams and patches that claim to reduce or even remove scars have become available. So far I’ve found nothing to suggest any one product is any better than the others. So, instead of blindly taking a chance on one and hoping for the best, I thought I’d ask here to see if anyone else had some useful info and/or experiences.

I’m mainly interested in the creams. Given my scar’s location a patch really isn’t practical.

TIA

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**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scar-reduction-treatments-do-they-work/234011/2 "2004-03-13T04:35:20Z")

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My dermatologist says the only reason they might work is because the act of rubbing in the creams several times a day might break down the scar tissue, but that you could get the same results with ordinary lotion. She says the only actual treatment for scars is dermabrasion. Of course if OTC scar treatments really work then she has a financial disincentive to recommend them but somehow I don’t think she’d lie.

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**Author:** ![Blonde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Blonde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blonde)\
**Post date:** [March 13, 2004, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scar-reduction-treatments-do-they-work/234011/3 "2004-03-13T06:26:58Z")

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There are many over-the-counter scar reduction aides available in your local drugstore. If they don’t do the trick, try plastic surgery. It could be less expensive, in the long run.