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Turning over a new leaf: How a cream containing green tea could help scars become less red, thick and itchy
Volunteers treated with a normal moisturiser or lotion with active ingredients
Scars treated with green tea cream had significantly less redness and thickening
The cream has previously been shown to reduce the size of old keloid scars
Newly healed scars become less red, thick and itchy after just two weeks when treated with a cream containing a powerful chemical found in green tea, a University of Manchester study has found.
Twenty volunteers who had scars on their arms were treated with either a normal moisturiser cream or a lotion with the active ingredients.
When results were analysed, scars treated with the cream – which includes an antioxidant found in green tea – had significantly less redness and thickening.
In a test, scars treated withthe cream – which includes an antioxidant found in green tea – had significantly less redness and thickening
Applying cream containing the tea chemical EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) has previously been shown to reduce the size of old keloid scars, which expand beyond the area of the original wound. The new trial treated patients with recent scars.
After skin is injured, the body’s response is to create collagen, which forms scar tissue. Some of the healing cells contain histamine and scars often become itchy.
‘This has huge implications for all skin wounds,’ says plastic surgeon Douglas McGeorge, who has produced the over-the-counter cream containing EGCG called Solution for Scars.
‘This study shows that instead of trying to treat surgical scars after they create problems, we need to treat them as soon as they have healed and switch off that inflammatory response. This will mean that scars are less red, thick and itchy.’
After skin is injured, the body’s response is to create collagen, which forms scar tissue. Some of the healing cells contain histamine and scars often become itchy
Other products containing EGCG reduce stretch marks, and make insect bites less itchy.
Firefighter Andy Gunby, 31, from Abersoch in North Wales, had a surfing accident in November.
His surfboard’s fin became embedded in his left thigh and he had 13 stitches. A week later, the stitches opened so he needed more.
‘The eventual scar was red, raised and itchy, and just below my shorts line so very noticeable,’ says Andy.
His sister Emma recommended Solution for Scars, which he used regularly. ‘Now the scar is paler and smaller, and I’m back surfing again,’ he says.
Source: Daily Mail