Reviews
3.6
1118 Reviews
Good or Excellent Response
13%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Moderate Response
49%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Side Effects
Low
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist or plastic surgeon? Make an appointment to get this procedure done. Don't have a dermatologist or a plastic surgeon? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find a dermatologist or the American Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a plastic surgeon. Topical Treatments are also available over-the-counter.
Read All About Topical Treatments
Compare To Other Treatments
5
36%
4
27.1%
3
14.7%
2
9.7%
1
12.5%

Used Topical Treatments? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
April 7, 2019
it’s okay

I bought this because people said it was their holy grail for acne scars. I have some active acne in between my eyebrows and on my nose but other than that I have acne scars all over my forehead. I usually run it al over my face at night and in the morning I put a thin layer just on my forehead. Ever since I started using it I’ve noticed a lot more tiny bumps on my fore head and my acne scars haven’t changed

October 15, 2017
It's okay
My skin is smother but some places are lighter than some
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March 25, 2017
Uh
Sh*t i just bought this. What is good to lighten spots is hair bleach peroxide. I have a 10% doesnt break u out but only use to spot treat redmarks bc its supposedly horrible for u. But best thing ive found to lighten spots
August 16, 2016
Product used: Emu Oil
Disapointed
Doesn't do anything for me :( sometimes I can see a difference that a pimple get smaller during night but I dunno if it's this oil or something else
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January 27, 2016
no comment
tried this 1 week and didn't work well for no improvement at all
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February 26, 2015
Breakout
I start using the bio oil I loved it. I use it for about 2 weeks but the third week i I break out my face dried up and pealing little roughness here and there. Am asking for help right now on what can I do to bring back my smooth face. Thanks for the help
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June 3, 2015
Retin-A
November 4, 2014
Product used: MaMa (Lotion)
An OK mandelic acid lotion
I used the M2 Skin Refinish for several months. It made my skin very smooth, helped fade red marks on my cheeks, and kept my skin somewhat clear if I used it every night. However, I discontinued using it for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it is so sticky. This was a huge problem because I'm a side sleeper and I toss and turn a little at night. This made my face stick to my pillowcase and that was incredibly annoying. It makes your face a little shiny and due to the stickiness, I don't think you can cover this with makeup and wear it during the day. Maybe you can, I never actually tried it. Another reason why I stopped using it was the packaging. You cannot take the bottle apart if you are running low to see if you can get the last little bit of it out, and you can't really see how much you have left either. Considering it's about $35 for one ounce, I don't want to risk wasting my money. So to summarize, if it wasn't sticky and came in a better bottle I would use it again.
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December 25, 2013
Eh it's pretty good

Pros:

It works
Smells nice
Has natural vitamins

Cons:

Greasy
Absorbs quickly
Takes awhile to work

Alright here's the run down: I do recommend this product for scarring but only in small amounts. I had an acne scar on my face for months (used medirma and it made it even bigger) I've been using bio oil for a week now and I already see my scar has decreased in size. It works but it takes time, don't expect a miracle out of it. Also, it is an oily product so you only need a small amount but I would apply it a couple times a day because it absorbs quickly into your skin.
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September 29, 2012

Pros:

It has the possibility of helping

Cons:

It is pretty costly

So, I bought this just kind of on a whim because I thought it might work for me. I have tan skin, and everyday I put it on 3 times. I looked at the ingredients label just for fun to see what was so special and it contained octocrylene and like two other "active ingredients". Then like 5 days later I looked at my chapstick, and saw that my 100% organic chapstick had the EXACT same ingredients. Now I like experimenting so I decided to stop using the mederma, and start instead putting my chapstick on my face. It actually for me worked so much better. It had beeswax, honey, and other yummy ingredients for my face along with the "active" ingredients found in Mederma. Also, I think the only reason why it is so expensive is because it says it can "reduce scars" when in reality my chapstick can do a better job >:) While I thought my discovery was pretty awesome, I found out that the active ingredients were sun repellents. Which makes sense because the reason why scars linger is most of us don't wear sunscreen which prohibits the healing of scars :) Anyways, you all should look into certain chapsticks, because you might save a lot of money and time!
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July 1, 2012
Product used: Emu Oil

Pros:

softens
moisturizes
lightens scars over time if used promptly and consistently

Cons:

possibly comedogenic (at least for me)
greasy feel (duh)

I applied emu oil every other day for a couple weeks over some non-acne scars I had on my chest and a HUGE cyst erupted (about an inch in diameter) and I NEVER get acne on my chest. I cannot safely say the emu oil was the cause but it seems likely. The scars look like they have improved, but that might be a placebo.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.