Skin S.O.S. - Scar Remedies

loonlover

I have had really good results with the ScarAway silicone strips. I had BMX last September and was left with a very hard, raised scar on previously radiated side. I wore the silicone strips 24/7 for three months and they made a big difference; the scar is now much flatter, softer and all the redness is gone on the part of the scar where I used the strips. I knew I would be having scar revision surgery so I didn't waste the strips on that part of the scars but I plan to start using the silicone strips as soon as possible after the surgery. I also tried the TropolActive cream and didn't find that it made any difference. Maybe that's why it isn't available anymore?

MBJ

I had the most results from using iodine and the scar strips.  TropolActive: not so much.

beija

i finally got to the tropol active ans ordered it.  for me it has helped me a lot.

Cameron

In searching the web to buy lugol's iodine solution, I found this info.  I thought it was interesting and wanted to share it with you, here is the full link and I will also copy below:

Testing for Iodine Absorption

The Lugol's iodine thyroid test is an easy, do-it-yourself test that does not require a doctor's blessing or assistance. Use an eyedropper or brush to paint a 3-inch stain on your belly or upper thigh. Check frequently during a 24-hour period. If the stain disappears in less than 24 hours, it means the iodine has been absorbed by a body and thyroid craving iodine. You are iodine deficient.

The same test can be used to correct your body's iodine levels. As insufficient iodine levels cause the iodine stain to be absorbed very rapidly, you can begin to "feed" your body the iodine that it needs. When the stain disappears, reapply the Lugol's iodine again and continue checking to see if the stain has disappeared.

Gradually, as your body absorbs enough iodine, the stain will take longer to disappear. Once the patch is still evident after 24 hours, stop the test. Your body should have enough iodine to aid in proper thyroid hormone production or use of supplemental thyroid hormones.

Caution: If you have been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism or an overactive thyroid, DO NOT use Lugol's iodine solution to perform an iodine/thyroid function test. Your body is producing more than enough thyroid hormone already.

jkz

Wow! I just read all the post on this thread and there are soooo many suggestions. I think I will start cheap and try the cvs-silicone scar tape.. Plan to purchase this tomorrow and will try it as soon as my incisions are totally healed/ I just had my revisions on June 8, so I will give it at least another week or 2. I will keep you posted on my results!

Thanks ladies!

mtks

Has anyone used scarprin. I am going to try it after my nip/areola surgery. I read where the product should be 100% silicone to be "superior" in healing.? I'll let you know how it works. It will probably be several weeks before I can start using it.

pupfoster1

So I picked up the CVS silicone strips plus their oil.  I am prone to keloids so I am sure hoping this might help.  I just had my DIEP revision June 3 and am pretty healed up so I'll probably start tonight.

I'll let you all know how it goes!

Sharon

jkz

Sharon I also picked up my CVS strips. My surgery was on June 8 so I need about another week or so to start// What ia a keloid?

Keep me posted on your progress and I will do the same.  

pupfoster1

Hi jkz,

A keloid is a thick raised, sometimes red scar.  Some people are more suseptible to them, and wouldn't you know it, lucky me I have a history of them.  So it sucks to have that added to my already deformed body, but it is what it is right?

Definitely, let's stay in touch on how we progress!  I started with the oil yesterday as I wasn't sure if I should do the strips just yet.

Take care,

Sharon

jkz

Well ladies I have been using the cvs strips faithfully for the past 3 days and I swear there is already a difference. The color has lightened up a bit and the scars are not quite as raised as they were. I just had surgery on June 8th and my incisions are totally closed. There are still some stitches that need to disolve but all in all I think they look great.

The strips cost like 24.99 a box and I had a coupon for 30% off plus another 3 dollar coupon so I picked up 2 boxes and plan to continue using them till they are gone! Wish me luck!

shortlady

How soon after surgery did you start with the strips?  Was everything healed well first.  I have steri-strips covering my incision areas and the information says that I should try and keep them on for at least 2 weeks following surgery.(I had my TEs removed and my implants placed on June 17th) Do you think they help speed up wound healing?   I am thinking about getting them for my port-a-cath scar area.  I had that removed in April. 

GabbyCal

shortlady - every doctor I've asked about this has told me to use NOTHING on the incisions until they are completely healed because they can cause infections. I'm talking months of healing, not days or weeks. And I figure they've seen it and should know.

FWIW, my dermatologist told me that none of the OTC creams, etc. work on diminishing the look of scars.  That said, I massage lotion into my incision area to keep it extra moisturized. I figure it can't hurt and just may help.

pupfoster1

Gabby, I hadn't hear that yet.  I just had a revison June 3 but the incisions are completely sealed, all glue is gone, so I have started on the strips.  I have a history of bad keloid scarring, so I'm hoping that maybe this might help, especially in the cleavage area.  I will check w/my PS's office to make sure they agree it's OK.

I had also heard the same thing about the OTC creams (and was told NO Neosporin), that they don't do much but really can't hurt.  I did get the scar oil treatment, but now that the strips are on I can't use that.  Sheesh all that stuff is expensive too, I just wish I could be guaranteed some results.  JKZ, how's it going for you so far?  You are a bit ahead of me.......

Sharon

jkz

My incisions are closed.. I have been using the strips i guess for about 10 days or so now and the scars look great! I check them all the time to make sure there is not redness or irritation and so far so good. The strips are quite wide so I but them in half before I apply them. The box said they can stay on for up to 3-4 days. When they get wet in the shower they do come off so I am thinking I may remove them before showering and reapply when I am done.

This was my 2nd revision surgery.. I had a total of 5 surgeries since March of 2010 and this is the best my scars have looked yet! I will continue using these strips because the result are amazing. The box says that you will notice a difference within 8 weeks and I noticed it within the first week... I will post picture very soon. Tomorrow I have my 1st follow-up appt post surgery. I will keep you all posted!

loonlover

I had my revision June 10th. My surgeon said I could start using the strips a week after the stitches came out. I found the 7" long Scaraway strips in boxes of 12 strips from drugstore.com. There is no doubt in my mind that they made a huge difference after my BMX, and I didn't start using them until about 5 months after the surgery.

jkz

loonlover I didn't see the strips in a 7inch size. The one I got were like 3.5 and came in a box of 28.. They are quite wide so cutting them in half isn't so bad.

pupfoster1

Wow!  I'll have to look in to Drugstore.com.  Thanks for the tip Loon!  Too bad they don't come in a tape dispensor roll type thingy. Like JKZ I am using the shorties from CVS and have to cut them in half.  I just took the first batch off last night and I have to say they DO look better.  I'm wondering if some of it is just that the scar is being compressed by the bandage?????  I hope it STAYS that way though.  I'm definitely keeping mine up!!!

Sharon

pupfoster1

EEEKKK!  Dag this stuff is expensive!  I just checked the website and those long strips are $58.99 not including shipping for just 12.................

Del11

I just got some Mepitac tape as an alternative to paper tape.  Guess what... it's the same stuff as ScarAway, maybe less thickness on the silicone and the fabric backing, but essentially the same stuff.  You might want to look into it as an alternative to ScarAway.  It comes on rolls that are about 6 yards long, so if you're covering a thin area I think it would work. 

IllinoisNancy

Hi,

My PS told me to use Scarzone from Walmart.  I don't know how quickly the scars are supposed to heal but mine is still red.  I had surgery on 4/6/11 with a followup on radiated skin on 4/21/11.  I can see that the unradiated breast healed much more quickly than the one that had radiation in 2006. I'm getting nipples and some minor beauty things touched up on July 28th. I don't know when I will get the tatoo.  Since my cancer showed up on the breast skin, I look at it all the time and try to see if it is back. It drives me crazy.

IllinoisNancy

Hi,

My PS told me to use Scarzone from Walmart.  I don't know how quickly the scars are supposed to heal but mine is still red.  I had surgery on 4/6/11 with a followup on radiated skin on 4/21/11.  I can see that the unradiated breast healed much more quickly than the one that had radiation in 2006. I'm getting nipples and some minor beauty things touched up on July 28th. I don't know when I will get the tatoo.  Since my cancer showed up on the breast skin, I look at it all the time and try to see if it is back. It drives me crazy.

loonlover

Yes, they are expensive, but I can get about 3 weeks out of them if I take them off every couple of days, wash them (they dry really fast) and put them back on. I've also heard that they can be taped on if they don't stick to the skin anymore, but I'm very sensitive to most tapes, so I haven't tried that. Drugstore.com gives a rebate (about 5%) that can be used on future purchases but is only good for a month.

loonlover

Has anyone tried the Curad Scar Therapy silicone patches? They seem to be less expensive than the Scaraway strips.

cinnamonsmiles

I have used a vitamin e creme from walmart and later used Cimeosil strips to reduce scars and both worked really good for me.

Fighter_34

Thanks MBJ I am here and reading....

MBJ

You are very welcome!

Linda54

I went to see my PS for a yearly checkup.  I had him take a look at the scars where the skin was taken for my areola's...(an extension of my vertical LD scars on my back)....they are still red and slightly raised and it has been almost 2 yrs.  He told me he had another patient that was not happy with hers.  He told me that even with scar revision they would still turn out to be raised.  He explained that the tightness in that area and the movement of the arms is what made them like they are...but, he said that my areolas with the tattooing is the best he has ever seen....like that was suppose to make me feel better.  The straps of my bras rub those areas and keep them irritated.  I have not worn a bra for 3 wks because I have been home mostly recouping from hysterectomy.  I think it has helped the scars since they are not being rubbed by something.  I was so hoping something could be done.  I still may go for a second opinion...maybe someone who specializes in skin problems.

I did tell my PS that I regretted having the areolas done.  I hate those scars.  Maybe he will think twice before he does that to someone else.

Maybe in a few more years they will fade.....

MBJ

Linda:  I am so sorry you are having issues in the skin graft areas after so long.  My ugliest scar is from my skin graft-It's dark and purple and even though nothing rubs on it it's not a pretty site.  I don't know if it will ever fade with time like my other scars have but mine is in my bikini area so it's not getting irritated daily like yours.  I have heard of people having theirs lasered smooth-maybe this would help you? Hugs.

Linda54

Thanks MBJ

I did ask my PS about lazer and he said it would not help.

I am 57 yrs old..not like I want to wear things that would expose the scars but it just irritates me that they turned out raised and not fading like my other scars.  He tells me to continue to massage them.  I told him that where they are located it is hard for me to do much massaging before my hand gets tired.  I still rub Vita E oil on them.  I am tired of trying all the scar products. 

mtks

Linda=Maybe a 2nd opinion would be the answer. A PS or dermatologist.?

Maybe a young  Dr. that might be using new techniques.?

I am sorry, it does get frustrating. Hugs!