Scar Cream & Gel

Scar Treatment: What Scar Gels Can and Cannot Do

A scar forms when skin repairs a wound deeper than its surface layer. New collagen fills the gap, but this repair tissue never quite matches the surrounding skin. Most scars slowly flatten and fade over 12–18 months. Treatment can support that process and improve how a scar looks and feels, but no gel or cream can erase a scar completely.

Types of Scars

• Atrophic scars sit below the surrounding skin, such as ice-pick, rolling or boxcar acne scars and chickenpox marks.
• Hypertrophic scars are raised, red and firm but stay within the edges of the original wound. They often improve over one to two years.
• Keloids grow beyond the original wound and may itch or hurt. They are more common in darker skin, favor the earlobes, chest, shoulders and upper back, and often return after being cut out.
• Contracture scars, usually after burns, tighten the skin and can restrict movement.

About Hexilak Gel

Hexilak Gel combines three ingredients, much like the scar gel Contractubex: onion extract, which has anti-inflammatory effects and may help limit excess collagen; heparin, which helps hydrate and soften scar tissue; and allantoin, which soothes the skin. Realistically, such gels can modestly improve the redness, texture and height of newer raised scars with consistent use. They will not fill in sunken acne scars, are unlikely to control a keloid on their own, and older scars change little.

How to use it

• Apply only to fully healed skin, once the wound has closed, any scab has gone and stitches are out.
• Massage a small amount gently into the scar two to three times a day until absorbed.
• Keep going: newer scars usually need at least 3–6 months, older ones longer.
• Avoid the eyes, mouth and broken or infected skin, and stop if a rash or irritation develops.

Silicone Gel and Sheets

Silicone gels and sheets have the strongest evidence of any home treatment for preventing and flattening raised scars and keloids. They keep the scar hydrated and protected, which calms the overactive healing response. Sheets are ideally worn at least 12 hours a day, or gel applied twice daily, for 2–3 months or more after the wound heals.

Protect Scars from the Sun

New scars can darken permanently with sun exposure, especially in darker skin. Cover them or apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher for at least the first year.

When to See a Dermatologist

• A scar is spreading beyond the wound edges, or you are prone to keloids
• A raised scar is painful, very itchy or limiting movement
• You have deep acne scars, which may respond to procedures such as subcision, microneedling or laser resurfacing
• A scar changes, bleeds or develops a sore that won't heal

Specialists can offer steroid injections, cryotherapy, pressure therapy, laser treatment or surgical revision where appropriate. To prevent new marks from active spots, see our acne treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon after surgery can I start a scar gel?

Once the wound has fully closed and stitches are out, often around two to three weeks after surgery. Follow your surgeon's advice.

Does Hexilak Gel work on stretch marks?

It is sometimes used on newer, reddish stretch marks, but results are limited. Older, pale stretch marks rarely change much with any cream.

This guide offers general background only; a doctor, surgeon or pharmacist can advise on your particular scar. Check a scar product suits you before use, and have any scar that grows, changes or causes discomfort assessed by a professional.