Mederma is effective for scar removal
The efficacy of Mederma and its active ingredient, onion extract, for scar removal is contested, with clinical trials and reviews showing mixed results compared to standard silicone therapies and controls.
While some preliminary or narrative reviews include onion extract among possible topical options and specific trials note minor improvements in metrics like erythema, rigorous comparative studies and other reviews find no significant superiority over petrolatum or control emollients, concluding that onion extract lacks robust evidence of efficacy compared to standard silicone-based treatments.
The evidence we hold leans leans refuted
How this was weighed
official record 3x · fact-check 2x · hedged 1x · crowd & reference 1x
- Evaluating efficacy and safety of the topical silicone gel c · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1.05 · 2021
- Evidence-Based Topical Therapy for Facial Scars in Diverse S · peer-reviewed · supports · weight 1 · 2025
- Comparison of the Effectiveness of Onion Extract, Topical St · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1.05 · 2020
- Pediatric Facial Lacerations: Evidence-Based Over-the-Counte · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1 · 2025
- Strategies to improve facial scars following Mohs micrograph · peer-reviewed · refutes · weight 1 · 2025
Supamas Napavichayanun, Apichai Vasuratna, Somsook Santibenchakul, Sarocha Cherdchom, Pornanong Aramwit. Evaluating efficacy and safety of the topical silicone gel containing onion extract in the treatment of post‐cesarean surgical scars. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocd.14524
This study suggests that silicone gel containing onion extract improves scar erythema compared to control.
Naser Owji, Mohammad Reza Khalili, Behzad Khademi, Mohammad Shirvani, Maryam Sadat Sadati. Comparison of the Effectiveness of Onion Extract, Topical Steroid, and Petrolatum Emollient in Cosmetic Appearance of Upper Blepharoplasty Scar. 2020. https://doi.org/10.4103/joco.joco_39_20
This trial found no significant differences in scar appearance between onion extract, topical steroids, and petrolatum emollient.
See more details
Kazemeini S, Nadeem-Tariq A, Luthra A, Suha R, Turna A, Easterly J, Pokharel S, Muqaddas S, Kazemeini M. Evidence-Based Topical Therapy for Facial Scars in Diverse Skin Types.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.86343
This review lists onion extract among agents supported for scar modulation in a phase-specific approach.
Antonious K. Pediatric Facial Lacerations: Evidence-Based Over-the-Counter Wound Care and Scar Prevention for Clinicians and Caregivers.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.85909
This review notes that over-the-counter products like onion extract offer minimal benefit compared to silicone-based therapies.
Lim Y, Avram M, Neel VA. Strategies to improve facial scars following Mohs micrographic surgery.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/14764172.2025.2496646
This review explicitly states that treatments like topical onion extract lack evidence of efficacy.
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