New-Skin Scar Therapy Topical Gel ~ Scar? What Scar?

Last summer I had a small skin cancer removed from my face, just under my eye and across my cheekbone. Although the actual spot to be removed was small, a two-inch incision was necessary so that the wound could be closed more effectively. This was done by a plastic surgeon.

Naturally I was concerned - actually terrified is a better word - that I would henceforth be known behind my back as "scar-face", "that poor woman with that horrible scar", etc. etc. I was not at all concerned about the cancer, because it was really not a health issue and easily removed. It was the SCAR that was a huge issue for me.

Returning home after the surgery only confirmed my worst fears. A huge, two-inch gash, stitched together with black sutures, ala Frankenstein. Oh, my god! My life was ruined. The doctor said in about three months it would heal to the point where I'd see what I would be left with. He really wasn't all the reassuring.

Well, after the stitches were removed and the incision had healed up somewhat, I went the drugstore to see what kinds of scar treatments were available. I wasn't going to sit around and just hope for the best. I wanted to throw everything possible at this and minimize the scar to whatever extent was possible.

Of course I saw Mederma, which is a very well known brand of scar treatment. From reading the package it didn't seem very suitable to use under makeup. I was most definitely going to be wearing makeup over the scar, once it healed up a bit. So I continued looking at the other options.

~ Product Description

I noticed this New-Skin Scar Therapy Topical Gel, and the packing compared it to "Other Brands":

Applications per day - New Skin only 2 thin coats, other brands 3-4 applied generously
Results - New Skin only 6 weeks, other brands 3-4 months
Odorless - New Skin yes, other brands no
Clear - New Skin yes, other brands no
Can Be Worn Under Makeup - New Skin yes, other brands no
Non-Irritating - New Skin yes, other brands no

The price was $12.84, which was also somewhat less expensive than Mederma.

Here's some more information from the packaging:

"Easily applied to all areas of the skin, including the face and joints. Recommended by physicians for years, it can be used on new and existing keloid and hypertrophic scars resulting from surgery, injury, burns, acne and stretch marks."

The directions for use say to wash the affected area and pat dry. Then gently massage a thin coat over the affected area twice daily - morning and evening. Wipe away the excess with a tissue until the area is completely dry.

This product is safe to use on children. (No age given.) The recommended minimum duration of use is 6 weeks. Further benefits may result from extended use.

The cautions are simply to avoid direct contact with eyes, mucous membranes and open wounds. If redness or irritation occurs, discontinue use. Must not be used on broken skin. May stain clothing if not completely dry.

~ Ingredients

The only ingredient listed is Dimethicone. May also contain Vinyldimethicone. New-Skin does not list any inactive ingredients, nor the percentage of dimethicone. Surely there must be something besides dimethhicone in this. I would prefer that New-Skin list all ingredients, including the inactive ingredients.

~ Packaging

New-Skin Scar Therapy Topical Gel comes in a .5 oz plastic tube. Just unscrew the cap to reveal a longish, pointed tip. The tube is fairly small, and I was concerned it wouldn't last very long. But to my continued surprise, this same tube was still going strong after at least 8 weeks of twice daily use. So it's true that a little bit of this goes a very long way.

~ My Experience

After my scar healed up a bit, and the holes from the stitches were gone, I began using New-Skin Scar Therapy Topical Gel twice a day, morning and evening.

The gel is absolutely odorless and colorless. Just a tiny dab on my fingertip was enough to completely cover the scar. I would massage it in - gently! - because it was still healing. The gel does have a bit of stickiness. If you let it dry without fully massaging in, or wiping off the excess, it will leave the skin feeling sticky. I discovered that I needed to rub it in well, then I would blot it with a tissue to remove the stickiness. A thin coat is quite sufficient. It will also leave a little bit of shine on your skin where applied, although blotting lessens the shine. Then I could apply makeup, concealer, foundation, etc. over the area just fine. Of course I avoided any makeup until the incision healed fully.

I faithfully used the New-Skin Scar Therapy twice a day for six weeks and beyond. The scar, as it healed, had some bumpiness, and was red. After six weeks, which would have been about 10 weeks after my surgery, the scar was visible but dramatically improved. The redness was reduced almost to nothing, except maybe just in one tiny area. The bumpiness was also reduced. After another 4 weeks or so, the scar became virtually invisible with just a touch of makeup.

Now, about six months after my surgery, the scar is all but gone! I don't even think about it or notice it. While I tend to put a little concealer still on that area, it's not really necessary, and no one would know if they didn't know my history. I stopped using the New-Skin Scar Therapy several weeks ago, because the scar is gone. And I still have product in the tube!

~ Final Thoughts

I'm excited about the results I've achieved after using New-Skin Scar Therapy Topical Gel. It is odorless and colorless. You can wear it under makeup. And it worked for me! One tube seems to last forever.

Since the scar I used this on was a new scar from surgery, done by a plastic surgeon, it's impossible for me to know how this would have healed WITHOUT using New-Skin. But I wasn't going to take any chances. My scar is completely gone now, and I couldn't be happier.