Effectiveness of Onion Extract Gel on Surgical Scars in Asians

Abstract

Background. Onion extracts have been shown in vitro to accelerate wound healing. Results from clinical studies on surgical scars in Caucasians were disappointing. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of onion extract gel in improving the cosmetic and symptoms of surgical scars in Asians. Patients/Methods. Twenty Asians who had new Pfannenstiel's cesarean section scars were recruited in this prospective double-blinded, split-scar study. Each side was randomly assigned treatment with onion extract gel or placebo at 7 days after surgery. The product was applied three times daily for 12 weeks. Subjects were evaluated at baseline and 4th and 12th weeks. Scar redness was assessed by calorimeter, scar height and pliability were assessed by blinded investigators, and scar symptoms and overall cosmetic improvement were assessed by subjects. Results. Sixteen subjects completed the study. A statistically significant difference between two sides of scar in terms of scar height and scar symptoms was found. There was no statistically significant difference in scar redness, scar pliability, and overall cosmetic appearance between two sides. Conclusions. The early use of topical 12% onion extract gel on Pfannenstiel's cesarean section scar in Asians resulted in the improvement of scar height and scar symptoms.

Management of keloids and hypertrophic scars: current and emerging options

“…An average of 51% of scar volume reduction was achieved following a single cryogenic treatment. Scar volume reduction of 70% for ear keloids and 60% for keloids on the upper back, shoulder, and chest was achieved following a single cryo-session, as demonstrated in a recent study 84. Significant alleviation of clinical symptoms was achieved.…”

“…Nevertheless, former clinical results are in part contradicting regarding its efficacy. However, based on recent studies, onion extract containing scar creams do significantly improve scar height and associated symptoms compared with placebo84 and appear to be effective for the prevention of unpleasant scars in patients having laser removal of tattoos88 as well as in combination with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide 89. Based on the recently published German guidelines on scarring, onion extract-containing scar creams can be considered as additional therapy for active hypertrophic scars and for post-surgical prophylaxis of excessive scarring 16…”

The effectiveness of topical scar-reducing therapies administered for scarring due to burns and other causes: a retrospective pilot clinical research

“…Current treatment guidelines on the treatment of scarring fo-cus on pathological scarring, particularly on the prevention and treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars (6-8); however, studies on the maturation and reduction of normal scarring are few in number (1,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Topical treatments such as onion extract gel and silicone gel are often used by individuals without first consulting a physician to improve the cosmetic appearance of newly formed scars (1).…”

Biological approaches for hypertrophic scars

“…It could reduce the scar height and improve the appearance of the scar after Pfannenstiel's incision in the study of caesarean for Asian women. 37 In another study of some children undergoing a median sternotomy, the incidences of HSs were significantly decreased by the application of onion extract. 38 Furthermore, the combination of silicone derivative and onion extract relieved the itch and pain effectively more than the former alone, and the Vancouver Scar score was improved obviously.…”

“…Onion extract , the main ingredient of onion. It could reduce the scar height and improve the appearance of the scar after Pfannenstiel's incision in the study of caesarean for Asian women . In another study of some children undergoing a median sternotomy, the incidences of HSs were significantly decreased by the application of onion extract .…”