Mederma's manufacturers claim that it is the No. 1 doctor-recommended treatment for acne scars. However, independent studies have shown that the active ingredient, allium cepa, does little to improve the appearance of scars. In fact, plain petroleum jelly does just as much to improve the appearance of scars.
Despite those findings, many acne sufferers use Mederma to reduce their scars and have mixed results. Those who find the most success with Mederma have mild acne scars. Those with moderate-to-severe scars find that it doesn't work as well at healing their acne scars.
Best Use for Mederma on Acne Scars
Based on user experience, it's apparent that Mederma works best on minor acne scarring. If you decide to use Mederma to reduce your acne scars, make sure you use a copious amount and apply Mederma consistently three times a day, for up to six months (for older scars). Continue to check your progress over time to see if it's working on your unique skin.
Alternative Acne Scar Treatments
If you find that your acne scars aren't responding to Mederma, it's a good idea to seek out the help of a dermatologist. A dermatologist can evaluate your skin and make a determination on the severity of your acne scars. From there, your dermatologist can recommend, and perform, a number of treatments that are designed to smooth the surface of the skin, including microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing and chemical peels.
