Evidence-Based Topical Therapy for Facial Scars in Diverse Skin Types

TL;DR

This review provides evidence-based guidance on using topical treatments for facial scars, focusing on diverse skin types and healing phases.

Contribution

A timeline-based model for topical scar therapy tailored to skin phototypes and healing phases is proposed.

Findings

Silicone gel, corticosteroids, and retinoids show evidence for scar modulation.

A phase-specific approach is recommended for early intervention and tailored regimens.

More research is needed on combinatory topical treatments for diverse populations.

Abstract

Facial trauma repair frequently results in scarring that can significantly impact psychological well-being, particularly in highly visible areas, such as the face. While topical agents provide a non-invasive means of optimizing scar outcomes, clinical guidance regarding their use remains limited, especially for diverse skin types. This narrative review synthesizes findings from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase, prioritizing randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and expert consensus. Evidence supports the use of silicone gel, corticosteroids, retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, and onion extract for scar modulation. A timeline-based model was developed to guide agent selection across healing phases, emphasizing early intervention after re-epithelialization and tailored regimens for patients with Fitzpatrick skin types IV-VI. This review proposes a phase-specific approach to facial scar optimization that integrates skin phototype considerations. Further research is needed to validate the safety and efficacy of combinatory topical regimens across diverse populations.