Skin S.O.S. - Scar Remedies
Comments
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Whitedove- I used Silicone sheets- What your Scar away is - I think. I didnt take them off like the instructions said to wash them.
I did take them off about every week & let them air for a day or 2. I also had some reddening of my scars- but it did not stay. It offened looked better in a day or 2. Hopefully yours will to. I do think it is part of the healing process.
I did start gentle massage on my scars once they were healed. I think any help in circulating the blood to help promote healing is very important.
I was trying the Bio Oil...But kind of forgot about it lately : (
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Dejaboo-thanks for the encouragement about the redness and massage. It is good to be reminded and reassured of these important points.
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I'm 16 days post BMX, drains and stitches out. NOTHING prepared me for the way not only the scars themselves, but my whole chest looks. There are huge swollen areas and "craters" around the scars, places where it looks like the skin and surrounding tissue got "pinched" together and the scars look freakish, not to mention the dog ears that are still very swollen. I looked at all the pictures I could find of post-mastectomy scars before I had the surgery and haven't seen anything that remotely ressembles what my chest looks like now. I know there is swelling that will go down, but I'm very worried that there will be adhesions that will remain. My surgeon is away for a month and hasn't been very emotionally supportive anyway. Any suggestions? I don't think using any of the scar reducing treatments is going to help this mess.
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loonlover - I think you can get your scars fixed if they do not heal properly. I had some issues on one side and did have a scar revision where the PS had to fix some excess skin and also fix the scar line. I had to wait at least six months before he would do it. I think you should give it time and see how things develop. They might get better over time but if not bring it up to the surgeon if they don't.
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Good advice Don.
I also think that at 16 days post-MX you should not do anything yet to the skin. It needs to heal. Did you get TEs placed? Some of what you see will change as the TEs are filled and the skin is stretched. If no TEs -- then what Don said about fixing the scars might still apply. Wait to put any sort of lotion or scar remedy on your scars. You don't want to risk infection by rubbing stuff on scars that are still healing.
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Thanks, Don and Lilah. I didn't get TE's and haven't planned on any reconstruction--just want to end up flat and not all crumpled up! I know it's early and I need to be patient. I just never expected the scars to look this bad.
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It's amazing how much the body can heal. I was just realizing the other day that the scar under my arm from my SNB, which was in June 2009, is almost invisible now. I have to look for it. I hope that is what you end up with.
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loonlover- It is kind of shocking the first time we see our scars. 16 days is really not that long so I would give it some time to heal. I did want to tell you, though, that they can now do laser treatments on scars to lessen their appearance.
Whitedove- I noticed my scars are sometimes redder if I've been wearing certain bras or if I'm really warm (which here in Phoenix is practically all the time). I do think the Tropol is working really well. One side especially has lightened up a lot since I started using it.
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Dear Loonlover, Welcome! I can relate to that first scary look at one's scars after surgery. Time is really our ally when recovering from scars and I hope that yours improve soon. I agree with the others that there are many phases of scars. BMX is a major operation and discoloration and unevenness is par for the course. Also, I am unfamiliar with your type of surgery since I went the TE/ silicone implant route. I hope that what you are noticing is something that can be amended. I agree that there are options for revision down the road. Hope your recovery goes well. BTW, what did your BS & PS say about how the final results came out? Was this what they were expecting?
Kate-Maybe the redness is bloodflow. It definitely might be better than the darker discoloration that I see on my SNB scar (the one I neglected to treat and now is raised and bumpy) I'm really pleased at how flat and smooth it is just after 2 1/2 weeks with the scar tape! It definitely is a huge improvement.
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Whitedove, I had a total mastectomy with no lymph nodes removed. It was preventative and I chose to have it, after 4 scary biopsies in 2 years and a >20% chance of recurrence. The surgeon was a general surgeon. He did my lumpectomy 3 years ago and has done my cancer follow-up and I have been really pleased with him so never questioned him doing this surgery. I don't have any plans to do reconstruction. He didn't say much about the results but did mention getting rid of the dog ears next spring. If things still look bad at that time, I will ask for a PS consult as I may be looking for more than just dog ear removal. Until then, I'm trying to be patient and stay calm! I feel for all of you who have to go through the surgery and then face rads and/or chemo after that. I had rads three years ago and it wasn't a big deal, just had to be away from home for 3 1/2 weeks to get it.
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Loonlover-It sounds like you made some hard but wise choices given your past dx. It sounds like your rads experience was very positive. I truly hope things start looking up with regards to a PS consult and revision if that is what you end up doing. I admit though, the early days are not the best time to imagine the results as so much will change over the healing period.
As far as the Scar Away update: redness is totally gone and miraculously, the incisions are starting to close up! Where there seemed to be a definite groove to the scars, there is now a thin line that is now almost fused closed. The tape seems to have kept the scar very flat and smooth (again UNLIKE my untreated SNB scar). PS says that they are not sure if it is the heat or the flatness of the silicone strips that promotes healing. In my opinion, it is both: real skin heals beneath a scab and when it is done healing, the scab falls off. If you pick the scab, the skin is still indented, so I am going with the theory that the silicone mimics real skin, especially that it mimics the moisture/temp/airless conditions of healing skin. I am pleasantly surprised that I am seeing results this quickly - even if it means I am living in this tape 24/7.
Dejaboo-thanks the tip about not removing it to wash, but I remember someone (the brave and gifted woman from Courage is my Strength on YouTube - a documentary about her BMX) who said that her wet hair lying on the steri-strips caused her sutures to open up and require medical attention. I know I am probably over-worrying it, and that her sutures were on the day after surgery.
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Wow, guys. Three days in with the Tropol-Active-S, and I'm already seeing results! Unbelievable - those raised up areas under my armpit where the suture line didn't hold together well are noticeably smoothing out. They don't 'catch' on my fingers when I'm massaging that area now. There is another lumpy spot on the suture line closest to my sternum that also seems to be flattening out. I haven't noticed a decrease in the redness yet, but I'm sure that will come. Two thumbs way up for the Tropol-Active-S!!
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Happy so far with the Tropol-Active.
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PB and Riley - The Tropol sounds amazing. What is your massage regimen for the scars?
I am pleased with the fact that the Scar Away is working fast - now I am noticing that the scars are not just fused and flatter, but lightening in color. They look MUCH better than my SNB scars, which were untreated.
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whitedove - I've been trying to use the Tropol 3 times a day, but sometimes only manage twice. I use a generous amount that takes a few minutes to rub in. I go over the whole incision line, but try to work more on lumpy or raised spots on the scar line and massage them more.
And I got my port out Monday and can remove the steri-strips in a week and start using the Tropol on it, too, per the surgeon when I asked her.
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Hello Riley - Wow. 3X a day! You are disciplined. I'll bet that has a lot to do with how quickly you are seeing results. You've inspired me to massage more (I've been neglecting that part).
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Yes, my surgeon said the massage is an important part of minimizing new scars. It helps flatten them while they're still more malleable. I don't know if massage only would help with older scars, but the Tropol Active S says it can be used for older scars, but suggest using twice as long to see results.
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How soon after your surgery did your surgeon tell you to start massaging?
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As soon as the steri-strips came off. About 7-10 days post-op.
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Just got through reading all of the posts here and I too just ordered the Tropol. I have to say that I was surprised to hear about VitE because I have been lucky in that I think I tend to heal fast when it comes to scars but have always basted myself like a turkey with both cocoa butter and VitE after surgeries. I mix them together. I will try a combo of the Tropol and cocoa butter this time to see what happens. I also wonder though if a lot of the food we eat have to do with it. I take Omega 3 fish oil capsules and eat wild salmon probably 4 x a week and have always thought that it had a good impact on my skin. I will give this Tropol a shot though...sounds promising!
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Hello Hurleygirl, Welcome to the thread! You are lucky to be a fast healer. I too stopped the Vit E and realize that Vit C tends to work well on my skin amazingly well. I definitely think diet plays a major role. How much Omega 3 do you take? I was taking the liquid Fish Oil but tended to stop because of the taste.
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My apologies if this isn't the place to ask this question, but . . .I am 5 weeks post bilateral mastectomy, and wanted to start treating my scars. I did some gentle massaging on the right side last week, and the scar split open.
Needless to say, the PS wasn't too pleased with me. Is there a time-frame when you can begin to massage and treat scars? Obviously, I did my massaging too soon.
Any help is always appreciated.
Julie
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riley702: I'm glad to see someone else started massaging their scars after the protective steri-strips came off. I am about 5 weeks post bilateral mastectomy, and began massaging the scar on my right side. Well, the scar split, leaving a 1-inch opening. Hubby slapped a sterile bandage on it, and off we went to the PS's office. The PS wasn't too pleased (couldn't tell if he was upset with me or the situation in general), and told me I had a 30% chance of losing the TE. It's been four days, and I (thankfully) have no sign of infection.
Maybe I'm just a slow healer, but obviously every case is different. I see PS tomorrow; I'll ask when I can begin to massage the scars again.
BTW: I'm not doing any chemo or radiation.
Julie
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My port scar is so much worse than my lumpectomy scar. Lumpectomy scar almost invisible after 1 year. The port scar is keloid (?) red and raised. Doc tried to inject me with something that she said would help. It burned so bad I had to make her stop. I can't remember what the heck it was - a cortisone shot, maybe?
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Julie -OMG! I can't imagine how scary it must have been. I am glad there is no infection. Thanks for sharing your cautionary tale with us. I have been a non-massager and couldn't say why- perhaps this was my fear. Hope all continues to go positively. So glad for you that you are not needing chemo or rads.
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whitedove: Thanks again (you have responded numerous times to my postings with positive thoughts and comments).
Yes, this was a bit scary. Talked to PS today; he indicated that in my case, massage shouldn't be done until 3 months after the initial surgery. My right breast shows no infection; according to PS, we'll need to watch it for some time. (I'm not terribly worried; I think infection would have set in by now).
I guess the best thing to do is to check with your PS and find out when it's okay to massage.
Fearless_One: I asked the PS if scars were indeed injected with cortisone; sounds like that's what your doctor injected. Maybe you can get scar revision or use some of scar remedies suggested above?
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Here is an interesting article to share with you. Q: Did anyone know that scar tissue is also called COLLAGEN MESH?
Scar Tissue
Most people are afraid to do surgery. People more worry about scarring occurs after surgery. Scar after surgery is not only affecting self-esteem, but sometimes infections are also coming. This includes internal scar tissue after surgery. This occurs because the local network sewn back scratches, which may absorb or not. The surface layer of skin to secrete collagen to form mesh, to connect the skin on two sides of the incision. Collagen mesh is visible as scar tissue after surgery.
Some factors influencing the occurrence of scar after surgery are:
* The patient's age.
* Type of operations performed and the depth of incision was taken.
* Patient's genetic tendency to scar formation.
* Other infections, such as diabetes mellitus, etc.
* Skin healing rate.
* The tendency of the formation of abnormal scars such as hypertrophic or keloid.Here are some ways of prevention can be done:
* Do not smoke immediately after surgery.
* Do not consume alcohol after the operation.
* Good and balanced diet after surgery. Eat healthy foods to speed up recovery.
* Get plenty of rest after a surgical procedure, useful to reduce scarring after surgery.
* Time is a very important fluid after surgery. A healthy body with electrolyte balance will help in healing.
* Try to lose weight before surgery. The presence of fat cells prevents healing, which can cause scarring.
* The use of silicon on top of the incision is to minimize the possibility of contamination of the wound site, thus reducing the possibility of scarring.
* If you have diabetes, try to keep sugar levels. This will help in reducing the formation of scar tissue.
* Avoid any stress on the incision, as this can trigger the formation of scar tissue after surgery.
* Avoid excessive sun exposure.
* Take antibiotics to prevent infections at incision site, which will help to reduce scarring after surgery. -
FYI: Has anyone heard the buzz about the flower Edelweiss's medicinal properties for scar healing? Yes, that is Edelweiss as in the Sound of Music. Here's the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/fashion/07spot1.html
Swiss Secret Ingredient Remedy for Scars:
NYTimes:Beauty Spots
Published: October 6, 2010
YOU LOOK HAPPY For those fed up with cocoa butter, there is this news: Swiss Skin Repair, a company founded by Beatrice De Borg, the former Swiss model, and Dr. Howard T. Bellin, a plastic surgeon, has a new Scar and Stretch Mark Body Cream featuring extract of edelweiss (left), which the company claims will enhance absorption and provide an impressive filling effect. The cream, which is $165, can be found at swissskinrepair.com. -
...and another article. Here they call it the Rolls Royce of creams and they just got a US patent for it. Has anyone tried it?
http://www.spatrends.com/spa-news-article.cfm?rID=608
SWISS SECRET INGREDIENT PROVIDES THE STRETCH MARK AND SCAR SOLUTION
Dr. H. Bellin Swiss Skin Care Scar & Stretch Mark Body Cream was awarded a
U.S. patent, which is backed by strict documentation and independent dermatological
tests. An independent study of the Scar & Stretch Mark Body Cream revealed:
- A significant decrease of the color and the number of stretch marks
- A significant decrease of the length and width of the stretch marks
- The stretch marks were significantly clearer and less red and blended with the surrounding skin color
- The skin prints analysis showed a clear and significant improvement of the skin parameters
- The cutaneous safety of the product, evaluated under dermalogical control, is considered to be excellent
According to company CEO and Co-Founder Beatrice De Borg, "Our resources
are applied to the research to identify the best, most effective, rarest and most
exclusive ingredients from various places on the planet and to the development of
cutting edge formulations. Personally, I'm a very objective, but skeptical person, who
has tried every cosmetic product on the market. After Dr. Bellin and I worked to
develop this product, I threw out all of the other skin care products in my bathroom."
Since beginning the line with the Scar & Stretch Mark Cream, Dr. Bellin
and Ms. De Borg have also added an All in One Face Cream and an All in One Eye
Cream based on the same patented core formulation. This "Rolls Royce" regime for
facial skin will accommodate the busy, sophisticated, modern woman on the go who
wants to see real results with minimum effort and expense.
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http://www.swissskinrepair.com/before-and-after-pics/
Warning: pics might be considered scary.
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