Safe And Effective Scar Treatments For Dark Scars And Brown Spots
Several scar treatments help fade dark scars, brown spots, and other types of skin hyper-pigmentation. These include:
1) Hydroquinone
2) Kojic acid
3) Vitamin C
4) Licorice extract 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.
Contact dermatitis and nail discoloration are other potential complications of hydroquinone use. While it can be a very effective lightening agent for darker scars, hydroquinone does not improve any other aspects of scar healing. It also becomes less effective over time and with exposure to the sun. Due to the risk of side effects, hydroquinone is only available by prescription in most European nations. It’s sale is also restricted in Asia.
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 (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.
Unfortunately, many vitamin C skin care products (including scar treatments) become ineffective over time. L-ascorbic acid on its own is very unstable and oxidizes on repeat exposure to air and moisture. Oxidized vitamin C turns dark yellow or brown. Many products containing vitamin C are colored dark yellow or brown to begin with to disguise the vitamin C degradation. Products containing STABLE vitamin C are usually white.
Some natural scar treatments 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 scar healing and safe scar treatments. He is also Chief Science Officer of C&H Scientific, makers of the advanced, hypo-allergenic scar therapy InviCible Scars.
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