One of the biggest downsides of having cosmetic surgery is the scars that the surgery leaves behind. Many good plastic surgeons will attempt to hide scars either in natural folds in the skin or in areas that are not often looked at, however the fact is that the scars will still be there.

However a new drug may help to reduce scarring. Avotermin is a scar prevention drug that is used by injecting it into the wound site before and after the incision is made. The drug is reported to help the skin heal faster and helps to stop the dark, pigmented skin that forms. The drug is not being billed as a scar preventer rather, it helps to reduce the appearance of scars helping to make them far less noticeable.

Avotermin is made with a synthetic cell-signalling agent. Trials have already been carried out and the results have shown that using the scar prevention drug reduces the chances of scars becoming raised lesions or settling above the skin. Avotermin also reduces the density and thickness of the skin that causes the scarring, helping reduce the appearance of the scar.

At present, Avotermin is still in the testing stage. Initial results have been very encouraging and it is hoped that the drug will be released for use in surgery soon.