Scars

[DwayneH]

i know this is on here somewhere but what did people use for the scars and how long after surgery did they start using it. Thanks Dwayne

[Apprehensive]

i know this is on here somewhere but what did people use for the scars and how long after surgery did they start using it. Thanks Dwayne

Hello Dwayne,

Well, supposedly Vitamin E ointment which you can buy over the counter at about any drug store works the best. I have never used this myself but from those whom I know have used this, it seems as if they liked the results.

Appy

[Lindsay]

i've been using this, Bio Oil (http://www.bio-oil.com/)

Mine are slowly fading, and they're so small, it's really only something I'd notice.

Here's a very interesting article on scaring, and prevention, from CBS News.

(CBS) Scars are mainly collagen, a protein that's found in the second layer of your skin. When you suffer any cut or scrape that's beyond superficial, you cut down to this second layer, exposing the collagen, which is then allowed to come to the skin's surface.

The key to preventing scars is to break up the collagen and not allow it to bond to your skin's top layer.

Although it is possible to lighten, or even get rid of an old scar, your best move is to stop scars before they form. Liz Vaccariello, Fitness magazine executive editor, has six do's and don'ts for everything from acne scars to cuts from kitchen accidents.

DON'T Treat With Vitamin E. Vaccariello said she had been told her entire life that vitamin E prompted healing, but more recent studies show that it, like hydrogen peroxide, actually impairs healing. To make matters worse, about one-third of people will develop an allergic reaction to vitamin E.

DON'T Expose To Sun: Not only do ultraviolet rays slow the healing process, the can discolor the scar. The sun stimulates the cells that produce pigment, and when your skin is sensitive and healing, it's prone to discoloration. Cover the area with SPF higher than 15.

DO Massage The Wound: Once new skin has grown, massage the mark. This helps break down the dense bonds of collagen. If they are not allowed to take hold, the appearance of the scar will be much less noticeable, or may not form at all. Massage - with lotion - in a circular motion for 15 to 30 seconds a few times a day. One lotion to try is Mederma. It's a nonprescription ointment that contains onion extract and has been shown to inhibit the formation of collagen. There are lots of other products for sale that promise to lighten or prevent scars, however, no studies show that they are effective.

All of these DOs and DON'Ts apply to preventing new scars. What about old battle wounds? Your only real option for these marks, Vaccariello said, is laser surgery.

There are new treatments out there, and specific laser treatments are especially designed to treat certain scars. Some help smooth and remove redness, others are perfect for acne scars, and still others vaporize shallow scars and allow smoother skin to grow.

Ask your doctor what's right for you. The thing to remember here is that these treatments are expensive - anywhere from $300 to $600 a pop -- and you will need multiple treatments to make a scar lighten or disappear.

[RevyD]

i've been using this, Bio Oil (http://www.bio-oil.com/)

Mine are slowly fading, and they're so small, it's really only something I'd notice.

Here's a very interesting article on scaring, and prevention, from CBS News.

Great advice thanks

[DwayneH]

How long should I wait after surgey?

[hopethisworks]

How long should I wait after surgey?

I started using Mederma about 3 weeks after surgery. I'm approximately 2 1/2 months since my surgery. The scars aren't bad but they are definitely still pink.

[Smiley]

DON'T Treat With Vitamin E. Vaccariello said she had been told her entire life that vitamin E prompted healing, but more recent studies show that it, like hydrogen peroxide, actually impairs healing. To make matters worse, about one-third of people will develop an allergic reaction to vitamin E. I have been told by 2 doctors to use Vitamin E oil and my plastic surgeon knows I use it has never said anything. From what I can tell it is working on the PS scars and I know it worked on my feet scars, however I plan on giving the Mederma a try once I run out of Vitamin E oil.

DON'T Expose To Sun: Not only do ultraviolet rays slow the healing process, the can discolor the scar. The sun stimulates the cells that produce pigment, and when your skin is sensitive and healing, it's prone to discoloration. Cover the area with SPF higher than 15. This was told to me by my plastic surgeon last year. He said to not expose them for a year. I am past my year but since my scars usually take 15 to 18 months to really show improvement I am still hiding them when I am in the sun and using sun lotion. He also said that scars can take up to 2 years to heal so I figure I will be hiding/protecting them until this time next year, especially the ones from my arm lift.

DO Massage The Wound: Once new skin has grown, massage the mark. This helps break down the dense bonds of collagen. If they are not allowed to take hold, the appearance of the scar will be much less noticeable, or may not form at all. Massage - with lotion - in a circular motion for 15 to 30 seconds a few times a day. One lotion to try is Mederma. It's a nonprescription ointment that contains onion extract and has been shown to inhibit the formation of collagen. There are lots of other products for sale that promise to lighten or prevent scars, however, no studies show that they are effective. [/b]The massage part was suggested to me by my doctor. I have the privelege of having those nasty keloid scars, but they are getting better. I figure I am massaging them when I put the Vit. E oil on them.

There are new treatments out there, and specific laser treatments are especially designed to treat certain scars. Some help smooth and remove redness, others are perfect for acne scars, and still others vaporize shallow scars and allow smoother skin to grow. I heard or read someplace (or maybe I just made it up) that there treatments being worked on/experimented with right now to treat scars. So hopefully in then next 10 years we will see these remedies offered and hopefully they will work for what will be our old scars by then.

[damalove]

Just asked Dr. So about this last week; he said patients have reported little success with Maderma; he recommended a cream called "Contractubox Cream" (I could be botching the spelling there...) He said you can get it at pharmacies in Mx. I asked for it at the WalMart pharmacy as well as at Commercial Mexicana and neither had it, I guess grocery store pharmacies are pretty limited. We ran out of out time, but I intended to ask at a real pharmacy.