Scar Care

[LuvOrlando]

So what is out on the market for scar care that can be recommended?

I've heard of Mederma but am wondering how good it really is.

My Surgeon recommended some over the counter silicone strips of some kind but i can't seem to find anything on the internet. Anyone have any idea what he is talking about and have any brands to recommend?

 

[asta]

My daughter fell and ended up with a terrible injury to her forehead. We got the following advice from her pediatrician, a nurse who works with burn patients and the plastic surgeon who tried to repair the resulting scar. They all said that the absolute best thing you can do for a scar is to deeply massage the scarred area as soon as the area heals. They told her to rub this area as hard as she could against the bone. This keeps the area soft and helps reestablish blood flow. I asked about products like maderma and other lotions and the plastic surgeon said that the main benefit of products like that is that they cause people to massage the area when they apply the lotion. At one point the plastic surgeon did use a laser to fade redness in the scarred area.

 

[Cruisin]

This stuff maybe?

http://global.smith-nephew.com/master/CICACARE_27518.htm

A friend of mine used it when she had a knee replacement last year.

My friend also did a lot of deep massage to the knee cap. She said it stopped the scar tissue from adhering to her new knee?

 

[wdwmom2]

If it is a new wound, remember, sunscreen to cover it is one of the best things you can do to make it less noticable.

Other than that, Mederma or vitamin E rubbed on it should help.

 

[powellrj]

I was in PT for a knee replacement and was talking to a lady who had it done the year before. You couldn't even see the scar! She used the walgreens version of Mederma and it worked great. I only used a Vit E lotion, but I didn't use it regularly and my scar has taken longer to go away, but it is fading.

 

[Jennasis]

Rubbing. Hard. And lots of it!

 

[Christine]

Probably this one:

http://www.rejuveness.com/

 

[LuvOrlando]

I've heard about the rubbing part from lots of people, but this scar is on my throat and on regular day anything on my neck makes me want to gag. Actually there is a general tightness always present in my throat that is maddening, I wonder if it will go away enough for me to massage the area gently? Surgery was only a week ago but i think the Dr said I can start testing the scar as soon as the tape comes off so I'd like to start right away if I can... i am so nervous, I don't know what to expect.

So many people have told me the rubbing was the best way to wear away the scarring which must be pretty extensive under the skin, I'm hopeful but not so sure I'll be able to handle much touching. I'm going back to the surgeon on Friday so maybe I'll print out some of the examples and see what he says, maybe one of these is what he was talking about. I may try them but to be honest I have really sensitive skin so I'm not sure any of the chemical stuff could work for me, never-mind the fact fragrances give me migraines and so close to my face... not so sure. What a pain to have to worry about these other issues. Has anyone actually used any of these products? They are so expensive, I'd hate to spend a bunch of money on something and then not be able to use it, which is why I'm asking the people of The Dis, amazing how there is at least one person on here with experience in any given problem, it's so helpful to learn from other's experiences : ). Can I ask, does vitamin E have a smell, is the oil better than the cream and is there a particular concentration that is better than others? I'm wondering if maybe I could use that and some of the untreated silicone sheets? I am so worried about have a scar so close to my face and it's going to be so hard to keep it from sunlight as i get older. I know it's sort of vain but this is my neck and face, not exactly a spot i can hide easily is it? I can't help it but every time i look closely at my neck I cry. I'm going to get used to this right? Sorry to keep going on about it but I'm just not OK about it yet.

 

[wdwmom2]

I'm guessing this is your thyroid surgery scar.

My co-worker had spine surgery a few years ago. They went in through the front of her neck to do this, about the same area as for the thyroid. Her scar is absolutely minimal. Unless you are looking for it, you probably wouldn't notice it. I will ask her tomorrow what she did for it. I will report back!

 

[java]

My plastic surgeon says don't bother with Mederma- so I listened to him- he suggested just vitamin e and massaging it.

 

[sunlover13]

My husband had his thyroid removed in May 2009. You can barely see his scar now. He doesn't remember rubbing it or putting anything on it. He said he might have used vitamin E early on. He did use sunscreen when he was out in the sun. He bought one of those sunscreen sticks which was easy to apply and carry around with him.

The vitamin E were the gel tablets. Poke a hole in it w/ a pin and then just put it on the area.

Like I said, he doesn't remember doing anything for it except the sunscreen.

The scar was very red at first, but faded over time. You can't even see it now.

Good luck!

 

[disney1990]

I had thyroid surgery the first week of March and my scar is virtually non-visible. The only thing that I have done is put sunscreen on it every single day; I use an SPF 70. My Dr. said not to go a single day without it.

 

[Forevryoung]

I had surgery under my arm (so the scar isn't visible to most people unless I'm lifting up my arms in a bathing suit/tank top).

I used those silicone strips and I barely have a scar. You cant tell it's there. I thought they were pretty nifty. It's a silicone sheet that's sticky. I cut mine and when the stickiness wore off, I used tape to attach it. It was expensive but one package lasted forever.

 

[horseshowmom]

I had thyroid surgery the first week of March and my scar is virtually non-visible. The only thing that I have done is put sunscreen on it every single day; I use an SPF 70. My Dr. said not to go a single day without it.

Wow, that's amazing! I had neck surgery in May, and my scar is obvious. It's more in the crease of my neck, but it's kind of built up (sort of convex). It actually bothers me when I wear t-shirts (rubs). I bought some Mederma at Walmart, but I haven't used it like I'm supposed to (4 times a day). I wish mine looked like yours (flat and pretty much not there! ).

 

[mommasita]

Nothing is working on mine, but since i had a CSF leak I was told the scar would be thicker in that area, and believe me IT IS.

My scar is 1/2 down my hair (where it was shaven) past my neck, and stops at C2 . Quite the portion. I used Vitamin E as told, but honestly it is has done NADDA. I am trying to get my hair to grow faster to cover it up, and one thing that slightly irks me is that I won't tie my hair or clip it up anymore. I went out once last week that way, as it was 105 outside, and got 10 stares in 10 minutes, and those looks. Also, all my hair that was not shaved is falling out?

I am glad to hear your posts, and that it went well. MY mother and stepmom both had this surgery, one 2 years ago, and you would have to search and search to find the line, and honestly you cant find it.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[NHdisneylover]

First I am glad your surgery went well and i hoe your scar does fade away one way or the other
DS has had surgery just above his nose and also managed to break open the skin and need stitches above each eyebrow (at different times). Only one of the three scars is visible now AT ALL and even that one is only if you are looking for it. The advice we got (and followed was):
Use vitamin E. Buy the capsules meant for swallowing and pierce them with a pin and squeeze it right out onto the scar and massage it in. Do this at least twice a day--three times is better.
Also stay out of the sun and use sunscreen and hats ANY time you will be in sun (even just being outside running errands, etc.).
That was it but it really worked for him. Good luck with whatever method you and your surgeon decide on

 

[buckler]

I have a number of surgical scars (none from cosmetic procedures, I swear!). I joke that I get scars instead of tattoos. I have to have another surgery soon, so I'll be getting another scar or two from that. I wish my doctor could make the incision in the form of a hidden Mickey

 

[mamamary]

When my son had plastic surgery on his face he had a small scar. The surgeon recommended maderma (I believe it was for a few months). Plus stay out of the sun. Scar is pretty much gone unless you look real close.

 

[wdwmom2]

I'm guessing this is your thyroid surgery scar.

My co-worker had spine surgery a few years ago. They went in through the front of her neck to do this, about the same area as for the thyroid. Her scar is absolutely minimal. Unless you are looking for it, you probably wouldn't notice it. I will ask her tomorrow what she did for it. I will report back!

OK, spoke with her. She used vitamin E oil, sold in a bottle at CVS. She religiously applied it three times a day.