Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
197,693 studies31 sourcesUpdated 17 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BYCureus

Community Awareness, Utilization, and Factors Influencing the Use of Over-the-Counter Scar Management Products: A Cross-Sectional Survey

  • Vidya Kiran Bammidi1
  • Taskeen K Sethi2
  • K Murali3
  • Heena D Tiwari4
  • Saurabh Shekhar5
  • Shiprita Kumari6
  • Anil Managutti7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Department of General Surgery, Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Health Care and Medical Technology, Visakhapatnam, IND
  2. 2Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Luxmi Bai Institute of Dental Sciences and Hospital, Patiala, IND
  3. 3Department of Burns, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, IND
  4. 4Department of Blood Cell, Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Telangana, Hyderabad, IND
  5. 5Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University, Bedong, MYS
  6. 6Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Dentistry, Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University, Bedong, MYS
  7. 7Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Visnagar, IND
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Introduction: Over-the-counter (OTC) scar management products are readily accessible and are frequently selected by individuals seeking improvements in the appearance or symptoms of scars. Community awareness, sources of information, perceptions of effectiveness and safety, and demographic characteristics may influence their utilization. This study assessed the awareness and utilization of OTC scar management products and identified factors associated with their use among adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among adults aged 18 years and above, who were recruited after obtaining informed consent. A structured questionnaire developed with multidisciplinary input from oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, and general surgeons was used to assess the demographic characteristics, scar history, awareness, utilization patterns, sources of information, perceived outcomes, satisfaction, and factors influencing product selection. Categorical data are summarized as frequencies and percentages. Associations were evaluated using the chi-square or Fisher exact test, followed by binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors of OTC scar product use.

Results: Of the 700 participants, 600 completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 85.7%. A noticeable scar was reported by 451 (75.2%) participants, and 386 (64.3%) were aware of the availability of OTC scar management products. Among the participants with scars, 269 (59.6%) had previously used an OTC scar management product. Silicone gel was the most commonly recognized OTC product, reported by 201 (33.5%) participants, and was the most frequently used product among users. Social media was the leading initial source of information, reported by 179 participants (29.8%). Among the OTC product users, cosmetic improvement was the predominant reason for use, as reported by 108 (40.1%). Most users reported no adverse events. Improvement was reported as significant by 43 (16.0%), moderate by 98 (36.4%), and slight by 76 (28.3%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that higher education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.39-3.42; p = 0.001), urban residence (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.13-2.67; p = 0.012), awareness of OTC product availability (AOR = 5.63, 95% CI: 3.64-8.71; p < 0.001), belief in product effectiveness (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.62-3.73; p < 0.001), and receiving information from a doctor or pharmacist (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.05-2.67; p = 0.028) were independently associated with OTC scar product utilization.

Conclusion: OTC scar management products are widely recognized and commonly used among the surveyed adults, with silicone-based products being particularly prominent. Awareness, education, residence, perceived effectiveness, and professional sources of information were independently associated with utilization. Strengthening evidence-based community education and professional guidance may facilitate more appropriate and informed use of OTC scar management products.

Related

  1. Awareness, Perception, Utilization, and Challenges of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana Among Peri-Urban Residents of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study
    Saket Shekhar, Abhishek Singh, Poonam Kushwaha +4
    CureusPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textEpidemiology & public healthPMC
  2. Community awareness and misconceptions regarding GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management among adults in the Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
    Asma M. Alshahrani, Geetha Kandasamy, Sitah Alharthi +2
    Frontiers in Public HealthPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Epidemiology & public healthFrontiersCrossref
  3. "Sisters Influencing Sisters:" Findings from a Community-Engaged Process to Develop a Social Media-Based, Influencer-Delivered Intervention to Increase PrEP Awareness, Knowledge, and Uptake Among Transgender Women.
    Sophia Zamudio-Haas, Jack Johnson, Katie Singley +7
    Behavioral medicine (Washington, D.C.)Peer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textInfectious diseaseEurope PMC
  4. Socio-demographic and behavioral factors influencing the utilization of community-post interventions for HIV testing services by men (>=18 years) in Kericho County, Kenya
    L. Kongani, J. M. Nyaberi, K. Ngure
    medRxivPreprintCC BYFull textInfectious diseasemedRxiv
  5. The status quo and influencing factors of the utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) health services among older adults in China: a nationwide cross-sectional study.
    Yu-Fei Qiu, Jia-Ying Fu, Xiao-Hong Zhang +6
    BMC complementary medicine and therapiesPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{bammidi2026community,
  title = {{Community Awareness, Utilization, and Factors Influencing the Use of Over-the-Counter Scar Management Products: A Cross-Sectional Survey}},
  author = {Vidya Kiran Bammidi and Taskeen K Sethi and K Murali and Heena D Tiwari and Saurabh Shekhar and Shiprita Kumari and Anil Managutti},
  journal = {Cureus},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.7759/cureus.117199},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13720933},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Community Awareness, Utilization, and Factors Influencing the Use of Over-the-Counter Scar Management Products: A Cross-Sectional Survey
AU  - Vidya Kiran Bammidi
AU  - Taskeen K Sethi
AU  - K Murali
AU  - Heena D Tiwari
AU  - Saurabh Shekhar
AU  - Shiprita Kumari
AU  - Anil Managutti
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/30
JO  - Cureus
DO  - 10.7759/cureus.117199
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13720933
AB  - Introduction: Over-the-counter (OTC) scar management products are readily accessible and are frequently selected by individuals seeking improvements in the appearance or symptoms of scars. Community awareness, sources of information, perceptions of effectiveness and safety, and demographic characteristics may influence their utilization. This study assessed the awareness and utilization of OTC scar management products and identified factors associated with their use among adults.  Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among adults aged 18 years and above, who were recruited after obtaining informed consent. A structured questionnaire developed with multidisciplinary input from oral and maxillofacial surgeons, plastic surgeons, and general surgeons was used to assess the demographic characteristics, scar history, awareness, utilization patterns, sources of information, perceived outcomes, satisfaction, and factors influencing product selection. Categorical data are summarized as frequencies and percentages. Associations were evaluated using the chi-square or Fisher exact test, followed by binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors of OTC scar product use.  Results: Of the 700 participants, 600 completed the survey, yielding a response rate of 85.7%. A noticeable scar was reported by 451 (75.2%) participants, and 386 (64.3%) were aware of the availability of OTC scar management products. Among the participants with scars, 269 (59.6%) had previously used an OTC scar management product. Silicone gel was the most commonly recognized OTC product, reported by 201 (33.5%) participants, and was the most frequently used product among users. Social media was the leading initial source of information, reported by 179 participants (29.8%). Among the OTC product users, cosmetic improvement was the predominant reason for use, as reported by 108 (40.1%). Most users reported no adverse events. Improvement was reported as significant by 43 (16.0%), moderate by 98 (36.4%), and slight by 76 (28.3%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that higher education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.39-3.42; p = 0.001), urban residence (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.13-2.67; p = 0.012), awareness of OTC product availability (AOR = 5.63, 95% CI: 3.64-8.71; p < 0.001), belief in product effectiveness (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.62-3.73; p < 0.001), and receiving information from a doctor or pharmacist (AOR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.05-2.67; p = 0.028) were independently associated with OTC scar product utilization.  Conclusion: OTC scar management products are widely recognized and commonly used among the surveyed adults, with silicone-based products being particularly prominent. Awareness, education, residence, perceived effectiveness, and professional sources of information were independently associated with utilization. Strengthening evidence-based community education and professional guidance may facilitate more appropriate and informed use of OTC scar management products.
SN  - 2168-8184
ER  -