Many people have scars they want to get rid of, whether the scar is new or it has been there for years. So it’s understandable that people try many different methods of scar healing. Part of the problem is that there is so much conflicting information out there that it can be hard to know what is accurate and what isn’t. Choose the wrong product, and the results will be disappointing. At best, you’ve wasted money and your scar remains unchanged; at worst, you could actually worsen your scar, damage your skin or overall health, or have an allergic reaction. This is why it’s so important to separate truth from speculation when choosing skin care products, and to choose products that are safe, natural, and known to be effective.
Many purported scar treatments on the market contain onion extract. Proponents claim that onion extract reduces redness and decreases scar size. Therefore, studies have been conducted that examine whether these beliefs are true. The results of the studies have not been favorable. In studies such as this one, where patients applied topical products to scars regularly for a set amount of time, no benefit was shown in the group using onion extract.
For starters, onion extract has not been shown to be any more effective than plain petroleum jelly. That is, not very effective at all, since neither offers any real benefit beyond moisturizing. Further, researchers have been unable to show that onion extract reduces redness or itching, or that it improves the appearance of hypertrophic or other scars. In addition, onion is acidic and could possibly even cause damage to the skin. Similarly, onion extract shows no real benefit when used on stretch marks, either.
If you want to use onion extract in your scar healing routine, you’d be better off eating it. Onions contain powerful antioxidants and have a healthy dose of vitamin C, both of which are good for scar healing. No one who wants a scar to heal should smoke, since smoking reduces oxygen in the bloodstream and therefore inhibits healing – but in patients who smoke anyway, antioxidants are especially important. Foods with antioxidant properties such as beans, berries, and many other fruits and vegetables should be part of any scar healing regimen. Onions certainly have a place in an overall nutritional strategy for improving scars, but when applied topically, the extract appears to be generally useless.
You will get much better results with a product that contains proven scar healers like dimethicone silicone. Staying out of the sun, avoiding smoking, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a healthy diet will all work to diminish scars and improve the overall appearance of your skin. The best choice for a scar healing product is one that contains ingredients that scientific studies have proven to be effective and safe, combined with lifestyle choices that promote overall health and healing, as well as good circulation.
The verdict? Stick with these tips for the best result, and don’t bother with the onion extract.
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