The Effectiveness of Topical Anti-scarring Agents and a Novel Combined Process on Cutaneous Scar Management

Cutaneous scars (particularly hypertrophic and keloid scars), not only can cause adverse cosmetic problems, but also can be associated with emotional distress such as anxiety and depression. Comparing with other surgical treatments, patients who do not opt for or cannot opt for invasion therapies are more eligible for using the topical anti-scarring agents. In this mini-review, we have researched for and collected the data between October 2005 and October 2015, in PubMed and Web of Science, and identified those agents including silicone-based products, imiquimod, corticosteroids, 5-fluorouracil, bleomycin, mitomycin, and plant extracts such as onion extract, asiaticoside, aloe vera, vitamin E, and so on. Besides, we have listed these popular products in commercial market with their useful information. We have also described the combined process according to our clinical experience. However, to establish the more effective treatment among different types of topical agents or their combined process, large, well-designed head-to-head comparisons between individual and combined preparations in relevant patient populations are urgently needed. Keywords: Cutaneous scar, wound repair, topical therapy, keloid, hypertrophic scar, anti-scarring agents, scar management, combined treatment.