Scars are a natural part of the healing process, and there is currently no good treatment for preventing scar formation. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that topical application of a class of compounds promotes wound healing and inhibits scar formation. 

The compound studied in their preclinical wound healing model has FDA approval for systemic use in a different indication and is no longer patent protected for composition of matter. The researchers demonstrated in a mouse model that treatment with the compound promoted scarless wound healing, and that the healed area contained hair follicles, sebaceous glands and normal collagen.