Skin S.O.S. - Scar Remedies

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  • sweetie2040
    sweetie2040 Member Posts: 817
    edited November 2010

    Kate33- YES! My skin is very dry on my foobs and nipple. I keep slathering myself with cocoa butter. The nipple even gets  so dry sometimes that I have to  use Aquafor. My Dr. also told me dry skin was a SE of Tamoxifen, but your not on that right? Kate you are in no way shape or form old! I like to think women are in their prime in their 40's, 50's and beyond. Part of it is because we don't give a S**T what people think anymore!

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  • don23
    don23 Member Posts: 512
    edited November 2010

    Julie - I did not use the Palmers Cocoa Butter on my forehead wrinkles. I used the sample that Tropyl-Active sent with their scar cream. Sorry that I wasn't clear about that. The Palmers Cocoa Butter Skin Therapy Oil can be bought at the store. I bought it at Kmart. I did not order it online. Sorry for any confusion.

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

    sweetie- Thanks!  You really are a sweetie!  :)    Am definitely feeling old today- 3 hours of gardening and I can't move!  

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  • julie75
    julie75 Member Posts: 635
    edited November 2010

    don23:  Thanks for the info.  I may have received the same sample with my Topyl-Active order; I'll check it out.

    sweetie2040:  I do feel that I'm in my prime at 53, and will get this part of the journey behind me.  Then, on to retirement in a few years and some fun.

    Kate33:  I'm in Southern California (Torrance), and it has been dry and hot  this week.  Every bit of moisture is a good thing here .  .  .

    Julie

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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited November 2010

    Hi everyone!  I haven't posted awhile here, but I have been using the TropylActive cream and haven't really seen any changes.  Then, last week I went on the Nature Girl thread and someone mentioned using Lugol's Iodine.  Can I just tell you--I have only been using it for a week directly on my scars only, I let it dry, then I use the lotions, and my scars are fading really fast!  I will be positng updated pictures on the picture forum in 2 weeks but I am really excited by the fast progress!

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    MBJ, do you take the Lugol's Iodine internally, too? Is this the 2% version (I was thinking the 4% wasn't available anymore)?

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  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited November 2010

    Hello everybody! Thanks MBJ about the iodine info.  I have never heard of that and am curious. It may be coincidental but there is lots of talk about the benefits on iodine as a supplement on another BCO thread:

    http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topic/757262?page=8#idx_212

    As far as the Tropyl not causing changes - let us know about the Lugol's. I have also noticed the Scar Away strips seem to have stopped working (or the scars have reached a point where the healing is not as dramatic as was during the first 4 weeks after exchange). I wonder if there is a plateau point for most of these remedies or if that is the nature of the skin healing process?

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  • julie75
    julie75 Member Posts: 635
    edited August 2013

    MBJ:  Good tip about the Lugol's Iodine!  Whatever works! 

    Riley702:  Looks like Lugol's is available in 2.2% and 5% only . . . 

    Here is an interesting post I just found:  http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=831922. 

    Julie

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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited November 2010

    Riley:  Yes, I take Iodoral potassium/iodine tablets.  I have both 2% & 5% Lugols.  I am trying the 2% first.

    Whitedove:  I follow the thread on iodine though rarely post and I agree it's related!  I take Iodine, Natural Armor Thyroid and today my Dr. put me on bioidentical hormones (my BC is hormone negative)

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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited August 2013

    There is a ton of info on iodine on this site and they are raising money for research into the benefits of idoine.  breastcancerchoices.org

    http://jeffreydach.com/2009/11/13/iodine-against-breast-cancer-the-overwhelming-evidence-by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx?ref=rss

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    Thanks, MBJ.

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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited November 2010

    Just so you all know, I have scars from another surgery and the Iodine alone is making them dissappear!  It's as if it just flattens the scars.  The redness is still there but it's also lessoning. The crop circles on my back from the mole removals, too.  I also have a problematic ingown pimple I have been plagued with for months and it's going, going almost gone!!!  BTW:  Iodine stains so be sure it dries before putting on clothing.  The yellow fades quickly enough (remember, I am using this on my face too) that I can go out an hour or so with makeup and it's no longer there.

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    I'm definitely going to try that.

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  • PB22
    PB22 Member Posts: 315
    edited November 2010

    Kate33, Yes, my skin is very dry especially  my legs.  I think its the estrogen.  I'm gettin facials every 6-8 weeks, when my face feels dry to encourage cell turnover and get rid of the dry flakes.

    We call our old folks behind the wheel "Q tips".

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

    PB22- Hmmm, I'm going to tell my DH I need regular facials for medical reasons!  Love the "Q-tips"!  I think I'm starting to feel like one! 

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  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited November 2010

    Hi Everyone! Good news - Seems like the combo of Scar Away Silicone Tape + Iodine is working effectively to fade and flatten my NSM scars.  The tape had seemed to stop working. When I alternated the two treatments (tape during the day + iodine at night) things seemed to get moving again.  My scars are exactly 12 weeks old since exchange and on one breast, the scar is really lighter and more importantly, very flat and smooth.  I dare say it is almost barely visible! The other breast has a longer incision and is still reddish but fading slowly.  My scars are like sideways question marks (going around the nipple) and so they are obvious.  I'll keep on trying the combo and see if the redness will calm down a bit.  Nonetheless, I am very pleased. So, thanks, MBJ! (((does Snoopy happy dance)))

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  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited November 2010

    On the recommendation of MBJ, I ordered some Lugol's iodine from Amazon.  I've used it for three nights and I can already tell a difference.  My scars are lighter!  I'm amazed.

     It is different than normal you iodine you buy at the drug store.  The base of normal iodine is alcohol.  The base of lugol's is distilled water.  It hasn't dried out my skin.  I'm impressed.  Thanks MBJ for the recommendation!  :)

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    I'm having to take a break from the scar remedies due to some burning from the rads right on the scar. *sigh* Eight more rads to go starting Monday, then I can concentrate on the scar again. I've gotten the Lugol's iodine ready to go, though!

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  • whitedove
    whitedove Member Posts: 292
    edited November 2010

    Riley,

    Sorry to hear about the rads causing burning. Hang in there for the remaining (count down) 8 left.  This reminded me about Jean's Cream - someone mentioned it on the first pages of this thread. It is a cream developed by a BC survivor for rads burns.  Take care and good luck as you continue with your treatment.

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  • riley702
    riley702 Member Posts: 1,600
    edited November 2010

    Thanks, whitedove! Hope you had a good holiday. I'm approaching turkey coma myself.

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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited November 2010

    I am so happy the Iodine is working for everyone!  I think it's a darn miracle.  If any of you are interested, check out breastcancerchoices.org for more information on the amazing healing powers of iodine, inside and out, especially for us BC gals.

    Happy weekend everyone!

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

    MBJ and Dawne-Hope

    Are your scars fairly new?  Is that the reason the iodine is working so well?  The scars I am trying to fade are 16 months old.  I have been using the TrophylAcive cream for a month now and no sign of results as of yet.  The scars I am having problems with are the ones where my PS took skin for my areolas which extended my Lat dorsi back scars.  My bra tends to rub on those scars and sometimes they feel irritated.  That could be the reason they are not fading like all my other scars.  So my question is do you think the iodine would help old scars?

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  • don23
    don23 Member Posts: 512
    edited November 2010

    Linda - I'd be interested to know the answer to that. My scars are not new either. I didn't see any improvement with the TrophylActive and I used the whole tube. Needless to say I didn't order another one. I have been using some Skin Therapy Oil made by Palmers. It is cocoa butter with vitamin E. The oil does absorb so it's not too messy. I have seen a little improvement but am just wondering if that is from the massage action of putting the oil on. Maybe someone knows the answer to that.

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  • Estel
    Estel Member Posts: 3,353
    edited November 2010
    Linda54 - I don't know.  My scars are fairly new.  I had my DBX in February and my exchange surgery in July.  My scars were really red.  Upon the recommendation of my PS, I've been using the silicone strips.  It has smoothed them out but they were still really red.  The iodine is making them fade.  I use the silicone strips during the day and put the iodine on at night.  I don't know if it would help the old scars ... but if you go back a few pages, I think MBJ said she was using it on some of her old scars ... not sure, though.
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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited November 2010

    I am using it on old and new scars and have had the same results with both!!!

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  • don23
    don23 Member Posts: 512
    edited August 2013

    Good to know MBJ. Thanks!

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

    Thanks MBJ....

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  • julie75
    julie75 Member Posts: 635
    edited November 2010

    Wonderful, MBJ!  Thank you.

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  • MBJ
    MBJ Member Posts: 4,352
    edited November 2010
    Although the iodine is working great in that it is completely flattening my scars, I will try the scar strips to see if that helps with the discoloration.  The iodine is working a bit for the redness but not completely.  That might just take time Frown
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  • Anna_M
    Anna_M Member Posts: 97
    edited November 2010

    Do you need a script for Newgel? 

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