Six scar treatments you can easily find in the drugstore

Health & WellnessSkincareTips and Tricks
Written By Guest Writer

Words by Crissy Martinez

Having scars may deal a blow to our self-confidence, but think of it as our skin getting stronger after every challenge. After all, the formation of scars is a natural part of our skin’s healing process! They can result from accidents, injury, burns, surgery, acne and illness.

Depending on the severity, age, and location of the scar, there are several options to fade them away. If the wound is not too serious and it’s still fresh, the best way to keep it from scarring as much as it would when left alone is to be proactive while the wound is newly healed.

This is where over-the-counter products that are applied topically come in. They can be easily purchased at the drugstore without a doctor’s prescription. Looking for options? Here are some of the scar treatment products I recently found in drugstores, both in-store and online!

Please note that It’s difficult (if not impossible) to fade a fully-formed scar with a topical treatment once the hard tissue has already set. We emphasize that the best time to use topicals like the products below is when the wound is just newly healed.

Sebo de Macho Skin Moisturizer (Php25.25 / 10g; Php44.00 / 25g)

Active ingredient: Mutton tallow (sheep fat)

 Sebo de Macho is a heritage brand, passed on from generation to generation. You can’t beat the price and accessibility. Tallow in Latin is translated as sevo, or sebum. The original Sebo de Macho is purely made of mutton tallow, while a competitor brand adds paraffin wax. Tallow is a very good emollient, making it a highly moisturizing ingredient, leaving your skin soft and moisturized.  

Bio-Oil Skincare Oil (Php250.00 / 25mL; Php520.00 / 60mL; Php803.00 / 125mL)

Active ingredients: Vitamins A and E, Calendula Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil, Chamomile Oil, Purcellin Oil™

Bio‑Oil pioneered using oil to help improve the appearance of scars and stretch marks in 1987. This product stands out, since most scar treatment products in the Philippines are gels or salves. It’s a paraben-free body oil for dry skin can be used to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, scars, and other marks due to surgery, injury, acne, aging, pregnancy, and more.

Contractubex (Php649.00 / 10g; Php995.00 / 20g)

Active Ingredients: Extract Cepae, Heparin Sodium & Allantoin

 Contractubex has been treating scars for over 50 years. The gel is the best-selling scar treatment in over 60 countries. The formula of Contractubex® Gel helps prevents excessive scarring, reduces redness and itching, and improves elasticity and softness.

I discovered Contractubex through my dermatologist. In this list, it’s the only product that is classified as a drug. Drugs contain active pharmaceutical ingredients. One way to tell if a product is a drug is from the generic tab. For example, if you buy Biogesic, the generic tab on top says Paracetamol. Products classified as a drug also require third party clinical trials to ensure that the product works.

Dermatix Ultra Topical Gel (Php775.00 / 7g; Php995 /15g)

Active Ingredients: Cyclic and polymeric siloxanes, Vitamin C Ester

Dermatix has ​​an innovative silicone gel technology, which provides a soft, silky, clean and non-greasy feel when applied to the skin. It also contains the skin lightening effects of Vitamin C Ester for visible scar reduction. Dermatix is resistant to washing off, and allows you to apply skincare and/or makeup over the treatment area. It can be used in the treating keloids, surgical, burn, and hypertrophic scars. 

DermAid Scar Gel (Php279.00 / 5g)

Active Ingredients: Castor Oil, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil

DermAid Scar Gel is an alcohol-free, dermatologist-tested product that helps lighten the appearance of scars. It’s formulated to help fade scars caused by scratches and minor burns. It contains botanical extracts, that has hydrating and soothing benefits to effectively retain moisture on the skin.

Note: I’ve only seen this brand at Watson’s and The SM Store Beauty Section.

Tiny Buds Tiny Remedies Lighten Up, Lightening Scar Gel (Php195.00 / 20g)

Ingredient List: Distilled Water, EDTA, Glycerin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer and Lecithin, Cetearyl Oilvate and Sorbitan Olivate, Dehydroactive Acid, Benzoic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Water and Butylene Glycol and Hydrogenated Lecithin and Sodium Oleate and Oligopeptide68, Disodium EDTA

Tiny Remedies Lighten Up is safe for sensitive skin and babies who are at least six months old. It has a pH-balanced level of 5.5, free of steroids and parabens. This gel helps reduce the appearance of marks. The product is promising, because of the good reviews and 5/5 product rating in their online store.  

How to use scar treatment products:

  • Do not apply the product on an open wound. Wait for the wound close and heal, or when stitches have been removed.

  • Use the product regularly, based on the instructions. Results may vary depending on the age, condition, size, type, and severity of scars.

  • Monitor the progress of the scar for three to six months, depending on the extent of scarring. There’s no topically applied product meant to miraculously minimize the visibility of scars.

  • For children, products must be used under adult supervision.

  • Discontinue if irritation occurs.

  • If the product has changed color, smell, or past expiry date, dispose.

Have you tried any of these, or other scar treatment products? I’d love to know what product has worked for you.


Guest Writer
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