Skin S.O.S. - Scar Remedies

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whitedove
whitedove Member Posts: 292
edited November 2017 in Breast Reconstruction
Skin S.O.S. - Scar Remedies
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  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited December 2010

    Welcome to a forum focusing on an inevitable BC side effect: scars.

    Whether through surgery, biopsies or rads, skin is affected by BC.  What are your hits and misses with regards to scar creams, strips, salves, serums, over the counter OR under the counter products, laser treatments, cosmetic procedures and even diet, massage and/or home remedies?  How have you reduced or dealt with scars or keloids? Recovery involves inner and outer improvements. Here we can combine our knowledge, learn new tricks, tips and share our tried and trusted regimens to collectively improve our healing skin.

  • CandDsMom
    CandDsMom Member Posts: 387
    edited July 2010

    I don't have any tips but am bumping this topic since I am also interested!

    thanks whitedove! 

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited July 2010

    I think I have tried just about everything and have come to the conclusion that time is what it takes.  Some of my scars are 2 yrs old and have turned white....another is just over a year and still a little pink....two others are a year old and still red....I think we just get impatient and spend too much money on things that do not work. 

    Right now I am using Vaseline cocoa butter body lotion and also contains Vita E...I bought it because of the cocoa butter/ VitaE , it smells good and it is reasonably priced. I rub it into the red scars when I get out of the shower.  I don't know if it helps but no harm in using it.  I wish there was a product that really worked.

    Good luck in your search.

  • FCB
    FCB Member Posts: 21
    edited July 2010

    Interesting topic.  I used Aquafor and massage on my scars for a very long time, and then switched to Cetaphil.  The scars turned very light pink and completely flat.  On my radiated side the scars were basically invisible after the burn faded, including the scar from nodes removal. I have recently had reconstruction and the scars look even better. 

  • PB22
    PB22 Member Posts: 315
    edited August 2010

    I use kelo cote. My scar at the drain and node site are white and faded, , 7 months post op.  My breasts were the same but now I had a revision and fresh scars.  I also use the real cocoa butter soften in the microwave for massage and softening.  Important to remember to use sunscreen on the scars that are not covered by your bra.

    Worth mentioning, I have an almost faded biopsy scar upper pole. looks like a pale red, slightly raised like an old bug bite.  I would be the only one to know what it is. When wearing low cut or tube like dress, I dab on the MAC brand consealor and then the bare minerals powder and its gone.  I use the same method for the scar on my upper arm from a mole removal recently.

  • She
    She Member Posts: 503
    edited August 2010

    I asked my PS about the silicone tape.  She said she didn't think it had been around long enough to prove itself vs plain old paper tape.  She recommended the paper tape and I tried it.  It was starting to work but I'm allergic to tape and I got blisters instead... sigh.  The scars on my previously radiated breasts are almost invisible now.  Apparently radiated skin doesn't scar too badly. The ab scar isn't pretty but I'm really not fussed about it.

    If you're really uncomfortable with your scars you can have them tattooed to match your skintone.  It can be a little costly though.  A woman I know paid $800 to have her mast scars erased by tattoos. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2010

    My PS recommended Mepitac.  It is a tape from Sweden that is supposed to aid in healing. You place a strip of it on your incisions, keep it in place for 7-10 days, and then replace with a new piece.  It is $30 for 3 yards of it and I could only buy it through her office.  Not sure, yet, if it is helping since I just had my exchange surgery a month ago.  It has helped, though, with preventing my bra band from rubbing on the incision so it's almost worth it just for that!  I also use Bio-Oil all over the breast area and anywhere I have dry skin.  It is $20 a bottle but a little goes a long way.  You can buy it at Target and other drug stores.  

  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2010

    She & Kate - thanks! BTW, is silicone tape and Mepitac the same thing? ie. silicone tape...

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited August 2010

    I have read that tattooing to cover the scars will only work if they have turned white then they can be colored to your skin tone.  If your scars are still red then it will not work.

    I used the silicone tape and also Bio-oil....Pure Vita E oil....I never tried the pure cocoa butter.

    She,  My radiated side scars look so much better than any of my other scars. 

  • PB22
    PB22 Member Posts: 315
    edited August 2010

    I edited my previous as I had omitted concealor.  I use the MAC brand concealor and then the bare minerals powder on a visible biopsy scar.

  • Basia
    Basia Member Posts: 790
    edited August 2010

    I have numerous scars from an accident, you name the body part I have a scar on it...not proud of them, but they exist and I have had to deal with them for years. I have tried everything over the years to help lighten them and what worked best for me was vitamin e capsules punctured with a pin and massaged deeply into the scars. I dont really know if its just the oils moisturizing the skin that helped or if the vit e actually had something to do with it.  Also, massaging scar tissue helps with the healing process.  Once the scar tissue adheres to the skin, it feels hard and uncomfortable so to avoid that, massage the incision site whenever you can.  Also, I think this helped reduce the swelling in some places.  

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited August 2010

    Basia

    that is great info.  My PS always told me to "massage" my scars.  Kinda hard to reach those LD scars on each side of my back though.  I have some pure vita E oil that I got at CVS.  I used it for a long time. 

  • Dejaboo
    Dejaboo Member Posts: 2,916
    edited August 2010

    I think the Mepitac is a form of a Silicone sheet.

    I scar very bad.  Some of my scars have healed very good though.  I think sometimes it has to do with the angle & how much pressure/gravity is on the scar ?   Because 1/2 of my Horizontal breast incisions look good & 1/2 dont...Same areas on the breast.  And they all have been opened & Closed 4 times!

    My 1st PS told me to use the Paper tape (white)  I could not use it though as it really irritated my skin & Made it raw.  So I bought Silicone sheets at CVS (their brand)  Much cheaper then others...Some people feel that the cost makes them not a good product.  I have had good luck with them.

    On my larger scars - Including my SGAP scar where it is impossible to keep a silicone sheet on...I have used Brown tape.  I dont know if this has a Name...I will try to find it. 

    It is Softer then the Paper tape & I have not had a problem with it irritating my skin...I leave it on for weeks.  Take it off for a day & then put new stuff on.

    I also massage all my scars with Lotions...I have used Cocoa butters- But I think the Action of the Massage & cirrulating the blood is more important.  Dh gets the pleasure of doing my SGAP/butt scar ; o

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2010

    Dejaboo- It's good to know the CVS silicone tape works well.  I will try that when I run out of the other.  I didn't even know they had such a thing.  Thanks for sharing!  My PS told me massaging the scar area is more important than what you put on it just like you said.  I use Bio-Oil but I guess you could use just about anything.

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited August 2010

    I just came across a scar treatment that sounds interesting.

    InviCible Scars....just do a search on this

    I found it interesting that they suggest  Vita E can worsen scars.  Also they state that you should keep scars out of the sun/or covered with sunblock to prevent permanant redness.

    You will start to see result within 2-3 weeks.  It is kinda pricey at $82 a bottle.  You can get a trial 30-day supply and if you do not see results you can return it and just pay the $15 shipping.

    Just thought I would pass this info along....let us know if any of you try this....

  • fairportlady55
    fairportlady55 Member Posts: 181
    edited August 2010

    My ps gave me a prescription cream to use once a day at bedtime on the scars: hydroquinone 4%, I have not noticed a change and have been using it for a month , anyone else try this? I have one area near my areola (I had nipple sparing mx) that is somewhat dark pigmented, it does seem to be fading some. But the incision scars which are red arent changing much.....

    thanks for this thread :) 

  • Del11
    Del11 Member Posts: 944
    edited August 2010

    I've been using Invicible for 7 months. It's expensive but it works.  Their site is pretty educational about what is good and bad for scars (hint: many things we think are good are actually not) so you should check it out, whichever product you end up choosing. 

    My latest pics are on Timtam's site if you want to see what my SGAP scar looks like now (9 months out from stage 1).

  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2010

    Hi all, what great info, all! Thanks. Jeskachi & Linda, Can you say more about InviCible? ie. , how you use it, when you can start applying it on scars etc? $82 is a lot - but I am curious now. Did you notice results after 2-3 weeks like they say?

    Q: Anyone notice pain from your bc scars that seemed to develop after never having pain? What can that mean? Advice?

  • Del11
    Del11 Member Posts: 944
    edited August 2010

    You can start using any scar cream as soon as your incisions are completely healed. I noticed a difference right away but that may have been just from the massaging and moisturizing. I like it because it goes on very easily, and you can put regular lotion on over it. I also like the science behind it... Dr. C does a good job of explaining why vitamin E, silicon, etc. may not be as good as people generally think they are for scars.

  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2010

    Hi, thanks for the info re; InviCible. I have to say I have noticed little improvement with the cocoa butter + 45,000 EU Vitamin E Oil I have been using. All that happens is that I end up with grease stains all over my bras and shirts. I don't know why it seems like my scars are taking forever to improve. They are still dark and a little red. I am going to look into that as well as ask about the silicone tape. Can you send the link re: this doc's opinions against Vit E?

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited August 2010

    Here is another site for InVicible which includes magazine articles about the scar cream

    www.inviciblescars.com/media.html

    also another site that compares different scar creams

    www.scartreatmentassociation.com

  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2010

    http://www.scartreatmentassociation.com/review.html

    -Linda, Thanks so much for the link that rates the scar treatments. 

    It is interesting to see the ingredients comparison. I have used Vit C in my skincare products for the face for years (Skinceuticals & Phyto) and have found it to be an effective ingredient that radically improves elasticity and clarity. I was curious though...InviCible is not mentioned as one of the best treatments by the scar treatment association and I am wondering why..it seems like that site may be more like an advertisement.

    Below is an article: Nutrition Guidelines to Improve Wound Healing.

    http://my.clevelandclinic.org/healthy_living/nutrition/hic_nutrition_guidelines_to_improve_wound_healing.aspx

  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited August 2010

    Hi All: This is about: TROPOL ACTIVE-S

    This is a repost of a repost. Wanted to share it with all of you. -w.d.

    jacee wrote:

    Wanted to post this from the NOLA thread, as maybe it will be helpful to some or all of you.

    Posted by swastew (LouAnn)

    Ladies~ I have found the most amazing scar cream!!! I was given some samples 5 weeks ago, and used it twice daily....at two weeks the redness of my scars started to fade....every day I notice that my scars are a bit less noticeable.....Previously, I had tried Mederma (might as well flush my $ down the toilet!), ScarFade gel (did not notice any difference and boy is it gooey!), and Invicible Scars (used it for a short time and it was very cost prohibitive.) Anyway, the cream I ran across is called Tropol-Active-S, made by Dermetrx. The active ingredient in it is Elastatropin, a genetically engineered for of human tropoelastin, a precursor to human elastin and Hyaulronic Acid (HA).

    Because this is the first cream that actually worked for me I wanted to learn more about it....and find out where to get it! Long story short - I found the website, and contacted the company - turns out is a local (Arizona) company, and the product is new to the market. I met with the owner (Joe Ducharme) to learn more about the product - and of course raved to him about the success I have had. He agreed to give any woman that has had the DIEP surgery a discount...so, If you go to the website, www.dermetrx.com - you can put CRBS in the promotion code and you will get a discount!

    Update from louann about the discount code.

    OK - on the scar cream - if you want the discount - go to the Physician referal box - then 'look up' - add the state (LA), city (New Orleans), then the code will pop up, and then hit 'apply' - that is the difficult way to go about it, next week you will be able to type in CRBS (all caps) in the discount code section. Sorry for the confusion!

     Joni

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2010

    Re: Tropol-Active-S.  It seems to be taking the discount code now without putting in the surgeon's name.  It's $3.50 off so the total is $31.45.

    Here's the link-

    http://dermetrx.com

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited August 2010

    Thanks Whitedove...I will check it out.

    Thanks for posting the link Kate22

  • swastew
    swastew Member Posts: 123
    edited August 2010

    Hi Ladies - I was the one that had the post regarding Tropol-Active-S by Dermetrx. I was given some samples on July 5th, and began using it immediately - and noticed a difference in the redness of my scars in a matter of 2-3 weeks. I have faithfully been applying the cream twice a day. Today I stopped into the Purple Skirt - the boutique where I was originally given the samples. Heather asked how my scars were doing, and I said "let me show you." I showed her the largest scar on my left breast and she said "OMG!! You can barely see it!" I told her it was due to the scar cream. In the dressing room I showed her my big, big scar (which runs 360 degrees around my abdomen), when I showed her the front area - she said "but where's the scar?" I showed her the area on my lower back, and her reply was "you can barely see it!" So, I just wanted to share the results I have had using the Tropol-Active-S.

    Also, I went to the link that Whitedove posted above (the one from the scar treatment association that compares products). I think the reason that InviCible Scars, as well as Tropol-Active-S products are not on there is because you can't go to Target or Walgreens to purchase them.

    Wishing you all the best in erasing the scars we all bear, no matter which product you choose!!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2010

    swastew- I am definitely going to be trying it.  I've got my incision scars as well as some lighter scars from my Alloderm stitches they put in after my exchange in June which don't seem to be getting any better.  Thanks for the endorsement.  You could be their spokeswoman!!!

  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited August 2010

    swastew

    Thanks so much for your info, I agree, you could be a spokeswoman.  I am more apt to buy something when I can see proof that it works.

    www.dermetrx.com

    promotion code CRBS to get discount.....can you have any kind of recon to get the discount?

    I reposted the site for my convienance.

  • swastew
    swastew Member Posts: 123
    edited August 2010

    Linda - Goodness, yes!! You can get the discount for any type surgery - I just stated DIEP as that was the surgery (well, one of them anyway) that I had!

    One thing that I want to suggest as well - when I was able to start putting something on my scars, after they had healed sufficiently, I spent a lot of time massaging the scars - I used anything that I had - Bio-Oil, cocoa butter (Palmers worked well - Walgreens, about $6), old facial lotion that I no longer used........although the products did not help with the redness of my scars - the massaging did make them more pliable and flattened them out.

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