Effectiveness of Topical Onion Extract Gel in the Cosmetic Appearance of Blepharoplasty Scar.

Topical onion extract gel is commonly used in commercial anti-scar medications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical onion extract gel on the appearance of blepharoplasty scars and to compare the results of its use to those of petroleum jelly. The participants enrolled in this prospective, double-blind study were randomly treated with either topical onion extract gel or petroleum jelly. The products were applied twice daily for two months following suture removal. Patients were evaluated objectively using the Manchester Scar Scale at the end of treatment. Six months after surgery, a follow-up phone interview was conducted. The study was carried out in the Khalili and Dastghaib Hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. Out of 43 participants who had upper blepharoplasty, 26 patients completed the follow up. The Manchester Scar Scale evaluates five different characteristics of scar: color (score: 1-4), distortion (score: 1-4), contour (score: 1-4), texture (score: 1-4), and transparency (score: 1-2). A visual analogue scale (VAS) was also used to quantify the overall scar appearance on a range of 0 to 10 (with the highest number indicating the worst appearance). The scores for the five different parameters and the VAS were calculated and compared. There was no statistically significant difference in overall cosmetic appearance objectively and/or subjectively between the two sides ( value: 0.25). Topical onion extract gel was ineffective in improving overall blepharoplasty scar appearance when compared with a petroleum-based ointment.