Best Scar Treatment To Fade Dark Scars & Brown Spots
When there are so many scar treatments to choose from, how do you know which one is best for you? Certainly some scar treatment ingredients work better than others. Then there’s the safety issue. The last thing you want is a scar treatment that’s going to cause you to break out in a rash! For dark scars and hyperpigmented skin lesions (like brown spots and dark acne scars) one of the following treatments is typically recommended:
1) Hydroquinone (HQ)
2) Kojic acid
3) Vitamin C
4) Licorice extract and other natural scar treatments
Hydroquinone can be very effective in helping to fade dark scars and hyperpigmented skin blemishes. However, it is no longer sold in some countries because of concerns that long-term use may be dangerous. Hydroquinone can lead to a condition called Ochronosis, even at its over-the-counter strength of 2%. Ochronosis is permanent hyperpigmentation with sooty darkening of the skin. Ochronosis may also cause loss of skin elasticity and impaired wound healing. Other side effects of hydroquinone include contact dermatitis (rash, redness, itching and flaking) and nail discoloration. Some researchers have questioned whether hydroquinone may even cause cancer. As a result of these fears, hydroquinone is only available by prescription in Europe and it is highly regulated in Asia. The skin-lightening effects of hydroquinone also decrease with prolonged use and with sun exposure. Hydroquinone does not improve any other aspect of the scar other than the dark pigment.
Kojic acid also helps fade the dark pigment seen in dark scars and other skin lesions like melasma and brown spots. While it is not as effective as hydroquinone, the popularity of kojic acid has increased over the years as people have become more fearful of hydroquinone’s potential side effects. Kojic acid is also more “natural” as it is produced by several different types of fungi. Once again, there is no improvement in scar healing except for lightening of hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a very effective and safe pigment lightening agent when used in concentrations of 10% (or more). It also encourages production of normal, healthy collagen so it is also a very good scar treatment in general. The problem with vitamin c is stability. Most forms of vitamin C used in skin care products are unstable and turn brown after the container is opened. This is a sign that the vitamin C has become oxidized and therefore no longer works. Products that are brown to begin with should best be avoided as many manufacturers color the cream brown so that users cannot tell when the cream becomes oxidized. Choose a product which specifically address this vitamin C stability issue (usually by combining ascorbic acid with a second form of vitamin C) and is not brown to begin with.
Like vitamin C, licorice also makes an excellent scar treatment: it has strong anti-inflammatory properties and accelerates skin renewal. Both vitamin C and licorice inhibit tyrosinase, the enzyme that causes pigmentation with sun exposure and skin injury. Interestingly, licorice boosts the scar lightening effects of vitamin C so the two should be combined for best results. As a bonus, licorice also has anti-acne effects (both prevention and treatment).
What is the most effective scar treatment to help fade dark scars and brown spots? InviCible Scars is an advanced scar treatment that contains scientifically-proven ingredients and is free of skin irritants: NO preservatives, alcohol, mineral oil, petroleum or fragrances. It is not tested on animals. Get your Trial Offer of InviCible Scars at www.inviciblescars.com
categories: scar treatment,dark scars,scar therapy,brown spots,hyperpigmentation,acne,scars,dermatology,plastic surgery,cosmetic surgery,skin care,skin,beauty,women
