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

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.