Firm sets out to rid kids, young adults of unwanted scars

Every scar tells a story–perhaps a result of carelessness, memento of a daring adventure or even from physical deformity.

Its presence could leave physical as well as emotional marks. This is why undergoing a successful surgery to close the gap is just the beginning for children and young adults with cleft lip or cleft palate.

The goal of every “Operation Smile” medical mission is to fulfill every wish of parents that their afflicted child would have the chance to live a normal life. The two-week undertaking brings in not only surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and pediatricians but also dentists, speech therapists, child life specialists and even those who takes care of entertainment and preparation (the children awaiting operation are required to fast for about 10 hours, so one could imagine their restlessness prior to the procedure).

“We keep the children occupied during each mission with games and other forms of entertainment. We also tell the parents it’s not difficult to prevent some scars and reduce others,” explains Candice Silerio, A. Menarini Philippines senior brand manager.

A Menarini (formerly known as Invida Philippines Inc.), is the local affiliate of the Menarini Group, Italy’s leading research-based biopharmaceutical company.

The Menarini Group acquired Invida and its affiliated companies in November 2011, transforming Invida to Menarini Asia-Pacific to promote a unified brand in the global marketplace.

The company now markets one of the most innovative products that could effectively flatten and eventually remove scar marks, enabling the individual to forget the surgery or the fact that they once had a cleft lip or cleft palate.

Healed forever

“When you have a scar, especially one in a prominent place like the lip area, you wear the story of an injury or surgery directly on your body. While its remarkable for one to learn to accept such scars as a part of the past, one should realize that unlike most misconceptions that scars are irreparable, scars can be healed forever with the help of effective skin products imbued with innovative technologies and skin-savvy ingredients,” says Almira Calalang, A. Menarini Philippines marketing manager.

Scars largely develop because collagen deposition is more random during the healing stages. Its development varies greatly in quality and appearance as this depends on the individual, the nature of the trauma, the conditions of wound healing (the wound doesn’t need to be deep or severe for a scar to form).

Dermatix Ultra was developed to eliminate scars through a unique formulation that combines silicone, cyclopentasiloxane and a patented Vitamin C ester.

“This formulation is effective for the management and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars (these are raised ones that occur when the body produces too much collagen in the area). Dermatix Ultra has also been scientifically proven to manage scars resulting from trauma, burns and surgery. Although there has been marked improvement in old scars, this cream is most effective on new scars (under six months),” says Silerio.

She also says the cream forms a barrier against chemical, physical and microbial invasion of the scar site while assisting with hydration.

“This creates an environment, which allows better organization of the collagen and improves the physiological and cosmetic appearance of the scar,” Silerio explains.