Vitamin E and wound healing: what the evidence shows

Unfortunately, in practice vitamin E preparations have not been shown to provide wound healing benefits.

A small 1999 study followed people after skin cancer surgery. Participants treated one end of their wound with vitamin E plus emollient cream, and the other end with emollient cream alone. Wounds were treated twice daily for four weeks.

Study results revealed:

• 33% of participants in this small study developed contact dermatitis – redness and irritation at the site where vitamin E was used.
• 12 weeks after treatment, the area treated with vitamin E was no better or worse in 90% of cases.

We do not routinely recommend vitamin E on healing wounds. Follow your procedure-specific aftercare and ask the clinic about increasing pain, redness or discharge.

Wound care and later scar treatment depend on the stage of healing and your goals, including itch, tenderness and tightness. See our wound and scar care guide.

References

Baumann L, Spencer J, 1999. The effects of topical vitamin E on the cosmetic appearance of scars. Dermatol Surg 1999 Apr;25(4):311-5.