Whether it's acne pock marks, stretch marks after pregnancy, or the legacy of a burn, wound or surgery, few of us like scars on our skin.And there is no shortage of remedies that claim to make scars smaller, thinner and less noticeable. One of the most popular is vitamin E, which is found in many skin creams. But will vitamin E really help to improve your scar?According to Sydney dermatologist Dr Phillip Artemi, the answer is no.He says despite the marketing hype, research has clearly shown vitamin E has absolutely no beneficial effect on scars."People put a vitamin E cream on, [and over time] notice the improvement, and quite incorrectly, think, 'Oh it's this stuff I'm putting on' — but it's not," Dr Artemi said.As your body forms a scar there is a natural process of slow and gradual improvement over a period of about 12 months.And this will happen regardless of whether vitamin E cream is applied. It is true that collagen, a fibrous protein in the skin, is involved in scar formation and that vitamin E, when present in the body, influences the formation and arrangement of collagen fibres.
But Dr Artemi says it does not automatically follow that applying vitamin E to skin will improve the way collagen is formed and laid down when wounds heal and scars form.In fact several studies have tested this exact idea and shown it to be false. One study even found that in almost a third of cases, vitamin E caused a common skin irritation — known as contact dermatitis.Dermatologists now consider it "a proven scientific fact" that applying vitamin E is of no value to scars, Dr Artemi says.So if vitamin E will not help scars, is there anything that will?The notion that aloe vera, lemon juice, and other over-the-counter oils and creams will fade or shrink scars is also "nonsense", Dr Artemi says.For example, while initial tests on rabbits and in the laboratory suggested onion extract might be beneficial for scars, further studies in humans showed it did not live up to the promise.However using a dressing to trap moisture over a wound when it's healing can help minimise scarring and provide the best possible cosmetic outcome.
Scar treatments explainedChemical reconstruction of skin scars: A chemical (usually trichloroacetic acid) is used to frost the scar, in order for the body to produce new collagen fibres during the healing process.Dermal fillers: Chemical fillers are injected into the skin to decrease the depth of scars.Fractional laser: A non-wounding laser is used to stimulate collagen growth and tighten skin.Micro-needling: Small needles are delivered into the dermal layers of the skin, to break down scar tissue and stimulate the formation of new collagen. Subcision: The sharp edge of a hypodermic needle is used to break down fibrous connective strands underneath the scar to improve appearance . Dr Artemi says avoiding unnecessary tension and strain on a scar, ensuring that it is not exposed to excessive sunlight and giving it a simple massage for a few minutes twice a day can also help.Special dressings — known as silicon dressings — are good at trapping moisture, as are silicon gel or gel sheets."
They've certainly been proven to work well to trap moisture and help scars heal as well as possible — but their effect has nothing to do with silicon itself," Dr Artemi said."As a result you could probably achieve the same thing by applying a good smear of Vaseline or any dressing that prevents air reaching the wound and drying it out."Such silicone or other occlusive dressings should only be used on clean wounds, where there is low risk of infection."Dr Artemi says they provide most benefit in the first 12 weeks of use, although in some cases their use may be recommended for six to 12 months."It's important to remember that even with an occlusive dressing, a scar will take many months, and sometimes more than a year, to naturally fade to its end point," he said."If you are unhappy about a scars redness, bumpiness or thickness it's time to consult a dermatologist to discuss possible options such as an appropriate laser source, micro-needling or injectable treatment."When it comes to scars caused by acne, treatment options are not always straight forward.
Acne scarring consists of many different types of scarring including ice-pick scars, pock-like scars, deep depression and areas of skin thickening [also known as termed keloid].Each scar responds differently and as a result combination treatments are required, according to each patients needs and the severity of the scarring.These treatments are undertaken by a dermatologist and might include micro-needling, fractional laser treatment, subcision, chemical reconstruction of skin scars or injected dermal fillers.Depending on your skin type and the degree of scarring, combination treatment for acne scarring can result in a 30 to 60 per cent improvement.And yes, picking and squeezing your pimples, or picking at the scab of a healing wound, will only make scars worse.But some people will have worse than usual scars despite doing all the right things.Scars are more of an issue for people:But whether your scar is at the good or bad end of the scale, the evidence suggests spending your hard-earned cash on vitamin E won't make a jot of difference."
You're just wasting your money," Dr Artemi says.Dr Phillip Artemi is a Sydney Dermatologist in private practice. In the past he has served as Honorary Secretary, Director of Training (NSW) and Chairman of the Teaching and Learning Committee of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. ABC Health and Wellbeing Newsletter Teaser Want more ABC Health & Wellbeing?Subscribe for weekly our update of Health and Wellbeing news, features and opinion from around the ABC. Or you can like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Reviewed on January 11, 2017 I've been taking 400 IU of vitamin E for about a month now. By no means is this a miracle acne solution. However, I have noticed and improvement in the texture of my skin as well as my dark spots fading a little quicker. I will continue taking this because I do like the results. I just have to keep finding more products to help clear my skin as well. I definitely recommend giving this a try :) by Enne16 on 01/23/2017 13:21
Reviewed on December 31, 2016 I take 1-2 (you're really only supposed to take one) 1000 iu vitamin e pills each day. I've been doing so for a little over a month. My skin I clearer, and brighter, but honestly that could be due to any number of things in my acne regimen. I can't say for sure whether or not it is the vitamin e. However, sometimes I cut a pill open and apply the oil directly to a pimple thats forming/ a scar/ hyperpigmentation. When I apply it to a pimple or a cyst, it comes to a head by the next day. So it will erupt your acne quicker. When I apple it to my scars, they heal faster. And when I apply it to my dark spots, they lighten overnight. Especially effective if you leave a bandaid on. However, I did not notice that it lessened my number of pimples (nor did it make me breakout). Simply makes them come to a head quicker. So conclusion: orally taken, I can't really see the results. Reviewed on December 4, 2016 So like my skin's always ugly and it's been ugly since i was 14!!!
I get big red pimples on my cheeks and chin and even forehead and sometimes, when my skin's being really extra i get those huge gross ones with white gooey stuff inside..... Anyway, i really tried everything cheap stuff, prescriptions and even luxury brands!!! They worked for while but then after that my skin will turn back into it's gross natural state.........I'm so glad I started using vitamin e! I've been using it for a month now and honestly.... You know those magazine ads with models that look like they have no make up, but their skin's like soooo dewy and glowy and clear... That's literally what's happening to my skin right now for realllllllllll (but like, i still have some acne scars!!!! THAT'S OKAY BECAUSE I NOTICED THAT EVEN THE SCARS THAT ARE DEEP IN MY SKIN ARE SLOWLY DISAPPEARING AND GETTING SMALLER!!!!!) So, i just use vit e capsules (i take one after breakfast, daily) and then i use a generic cream cleanser that has salycilic acid and i drink green tea regularly!!!
(Exfoliate with a really gentle exfoliator... I use the one by laneige only once a week because if you have acne and u start exfoliating boiiiiiiiiiiiii your skin will really hate you and i learned that through the hard way lol!!!) Ever since i used this i get less breakouts and if i do get ones.... Their really, really small ones and disappear over night or like after a day!!! My skin is also softer and it's no longer flaky and dry so my foundation doesn't cake up!!! And like, if you're using stuff like retinol or anything that dries your skin up i feel like vitamin e would work with hydrating your skin!!! It also helps with kind of stretching your skin?? My mom uses it and her skin looks younger. Bonus: It makes your hair grow faster!!!!!! Like i've been trying to grow my eyebrow hairs and really they started appearing in the first few weeks!!!!! Eyebrows on fleek and clear skin jesus is real by radgyal on 01/05/2017 23:39 Reviewed on November 7, 2016 When people used to say their skin glowed I didn't really get what they meant but now I do!
I've been taking a vitamin e capsule (400 IU) daily for about 3 weeks now and my skin is more elastic therefore meaning hardly any more pimples are appearing and most of my redness has cleared. I would definitely recommend this especially to people who have redness in their face. by Enne16 on 01/23/2017 13:23 Reviewed on October 16, 2016 I'm 32 and have had acne for more than half of my life and once again began searching for better answers around 4 months ago when I started a new job. Well 4 months on and I have had very positive results from some changes in my routine. I used to get regular cysts and be dealing with around 10-20 spots at any one time. Now I haven't had a cyst in 3 months and I'm down to more like 3 spots at a time which is easily manageable for me compared to my past. The changes I have made are doing 16 hour fasting every day, taking 100 IU vitamin e per day and eating more fibre and antioxidant rich foods. The theory behind fasting is that it reduces inflammation, reduces insulin and hence reduces oil production and the redness that comes with acne.
Vitamin e and other antioxidants prevent the oxidation of sebum in the skin which is where the trouble starts. A high fibre diet increases good gut bacteria which is also thought to be beneficial to acne sufferers. This is the best skin I have had since I was 12 so for anyone else who has tried just about everything I suggest you give this a go. Reviewed on August 8, 2016I have been lurking on these boards for a while now trying to find my almighty cure and I have finally found it thanks to you guys! Im writing this on every vitamin page that I take so I can maybe help someone out that is stuggling with their skin like I was. Ever since I switched my birth control a few months ago , my skin has gone haywire. I wouldn't say its HORRIBLE, but moderate acne feels horrible to me. I do the oil cleansing method with coconut oil and take zinc which manages it but I still get bumps here and there and it sucks and took a toll on my self esteem. I read all over that other vitamins can help cure you from the inside.
I had nothing else to loose so I thought I might as well try. I bought some NOW brand Vitamin A 25,000 IU tablets, some SPROUTS brand Vitamin E 400 IU and take it with my zinc 50 mg tablets.I take one each after I eat my breakfast. LET ME TELL YOU.... I HAVE NOT HAD ONE BUMP SINCE TAKING THESE!!!!! I am in complete shock! This along side with my habits of drinking lots of water has cleared my skin! So PLEASE, if you are feeling sad and fed up with your skin, just try it you have nothing to loose! Reviewed on July 19, 2016 So far so good, I have been using it only one day but it makes my skin soooo soft and smooth!!! And it gets rid of bumps and blemishes👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽 Yed comment (0) meviewed on May 17, 2016 Vitamin E is one of the best treatments that I have used on my skin.I use pure vitamin E oil from capsules on my face, and i find that it works wonders . when left on overnight, it leaves my skin smooth and glowing in the morning, visibily plumped up, smoother out rough patches and seems to help with open pores and acne Ye
d comment (0) avviewed on May 13, 2016 I take vitamin E oil supplements and find that they are great for my skin, leaving it lovely and soft. Yed comment (0) Reviewed on March 4, 2016 I have sensitive skin. No doubt about it. I'm a 19 year old college student and have been fighting acne since freshman year in high school. Junior year of h.s. was the absolute worst with acne so I was on Acutane and after off, was clear for about 4 months then acne again. I used insanely harsh chemicals to fight my acne, I was willing to throw battery acid at my face if I knew it would clear it up; but nothing was doing it. Going into college, I went chemical-free. Here is the process of my experiment: --------------Applying it directly to face--------------- I read that you can break the capsule and apply it to your face, so I said why not. I have sensitive skin so I was skeptical. I only applied it to half of my face, first only about 15 minutes then washing it off. This d