Does Vitamin E Really Improve the Appearance of Scars?

In 2018, Grand View Research estimated the global scar treatment market to be worth USD 17.94 billion and predicted it to increase at a CAGR of 9.9 percent until 2026. In light of the strong demand for scar removal treatments, skincare providers and clinics diversified their products and offered laser treatment for acne, topical Vitamin E products, and everything in between.

Among these treatment options, Vitamin E is the most accessible because anybody can buy one at a grocery store or pharmacy. People buy Vitamin-E infused products for all sorts of reasons, primarily to have fair and smooth skin and achieve an even skin tone. Vitamin E merits further scrutiny for this very reason: customers might not be getting the results they expect.

What People Know: Vitamin E Makes Scars Fade Away

Many also believe that rubbing Vitamin E-based products on acne scars can help them heal and fade. A lot of commercial ointments are even advertised for this very purpose. It’s logical: Vitamin E is widely known for the following:

●      An excellent moisturizer in oil form

●      A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals

●      Supports the proper function of skin cells

●      Reduces the damage caused by UV rays

●      Moderates the symptoms of atopic dermatitis

All of these perks have been proven through extensive clinical studies and research. Claims that Vitamin E can reduce the appearance of scars, however, lack scientific proof. In fact, studies show that topical Vitamin E treatments for scar reduction have disappointing results.

●      In a study on the effects of topically applied Vitamin E on surgical scars, no effect whatsoever was observed on 90 percent of the test subjects. Thirty-three percent, however, developed contact dermatitis.

●      In a systematic review of six valid research studies, three reported significant improvements in the appearance of scars when treated with Vitamin E. The other three studies recorded no notable improvement, and two of them reported adverse effects like contact dermatitis, rashes, and itching. The researchers of the review concluded that there’s no sufficient evidence that Vitamin E can significantly improve scarring, nor can the existing literature justify its widespread use for scars.

●      An early, widely-referenced study on 159 patients who went to surgery for postburn contractures found that topical Vitamin E had no beneficial effect on their surgical scars. Adverse reactions were also observed in 16.4 percent of the subjects.

The Conclusion, According to Studies

Scientific researchers over the years have come to a uniform conclusion: there’s not enough evidence to prove that Vitamin E can reduce the thickness, range of motion, and overall cosmetic appearance of scars.

What about the anecdotal evidence mostly published in lifestyle magazines about its effectiveness on acne scars? There is still no sufficient evidence to prove the direct effect of the vitamin on acne scar appearance; however, it stands to reason that the known skin benefits of topical Vitamin E, such as hydrating and supporting cellular functions, may have a marginal effect. Whether it’s worth spending a lot of money for very minimal results will have to be a personal choice.

Laser Treatment for Acne: The Better Solution

If you seek effective treatment for both acne and acne scarring, consider laser treatment where the certainty of success is much higher than commercial topical creams and oils. Not only can it address the skin condition itself, but also its cosmetic effects.

At Dr Saami, our acne laser treatment procedure in La Mesa is about skin resurfacing, or the removal of the damaged and dry layer on the surface of the skin. This triggers the skin cells to produce younger and healthier cells naturally, and at the same time induce collagen and elastin production. After a short recovery period, you’ll notice that the treated area will have healthier and smoother skin.

Get better outcomes with every dollar you spend on treating acne scars. Find out if you are a candidate for laser treatment at Dr Saami.