Safe And Effective Scar Treatments For Dark Scars And Brown Spots
The following scar treatments are frequently recommended for dark scars and other forms of hyper-pigmentation:
1) Hydroquinone (HQ)
2) Kojic acid
3) Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid and vitamin C esters)
4) Licorice extracts and other natural scar treatments
Hydroquinone can be very effective in helping to lighten dark scars. However, it is no longer sold in some countries because of its long-term use dangers. Though rare, hydroquinone can lead to a condition called Ochronosis, even at its over-the-counter strength of 2%. Ochronosis is permanent hyper-pigmentation with sooty darkening of the skin. Ochronosis may also cause loss of skin elasticity and impaired wound healing.
Hydroquinone can also occasionally cause skin allergy and a change in nail color. Because of these potential complications many European countries allow hydroquinone use only by prescription and it is also highly regulated throughout Asia. Hydroquinone does not address any other aspects of an unsightly scar other than the dark pigment. Interestingly, it’s effectiveness also decreases with repeated use.
Kojic acid also helps lighten 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 hyper-pigmentation.
Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid), along with other vitamin C derivatives, decrease melanin production (by inhibiting tyrosinase) and therefore lighten areas of hyper-pigmentation. Vitamin also improves other aspects of scar healing through its action on collagen. Scar healing is typically associated with breakdown of the skin’s normal collagen and replacement with unorganized, haphazard collagen fibers. Vitamin C has been shown to normalize new collagen production.
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).
Some like licorice extract have potent anti-inflammatory and skin-renewal properties. Like ascorbic acid, licorice also helps fade hyper-pigmentation by decreasing activity of the enzyme tyrosinase which is responsible for melanin production. Licorice has also been shown to boost the lightening actions of vitamin C so the 2 should be combined for best results.
It is important to remember that none of these treatments work immediately. All of these treatments typically need to be used regularly over several weeks before results are seen. Sun block use is also vital to prevent areas of hyper-pigmentation becoming worse.
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon with a special interest in and effective . He is also Chief Science Officer of C&H Scientific, makers of the advanced, hypo-allergenic scar therapy InviCible Scars.
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