Skin S.O.S. - Scar Remedies

We do MOHS surgery (skin cancer surgery)  after completely healed, we recommend either Aquaphor or just plain old vaseline to massage into the scar twice a day......I think the massage is just as important as what is used.

I had BMX Februrary & exchange 3 weeks ago.  Both times the PS said the massage & lubrication of the scars is the key & it doesn't matter what you use.  And to start rubbing in "lotion" at 3 weeks.

I've had 5 MOHS surgeries and the derm surgeon recommended Aquafor each time.  Scars are mostly gone.  My son's derm surgeon recommended Mederma for his MOHS procedures.

Went to my regular derm doc yesterday. As you can imagine as a veteran of so many past basal cells skin cancers I have a full body exam every 6 months. She examined the breast scars & she too said the lubrication is what's most important.  Due to my extreme dry skin, she recommended that twice a day I massage in the CeraVe that's already a part of my regular moisturizing. 

I have finally let the scars win the battle.  I don't think about them anymore. I do not give them anymore of my money or my time.  Just maybe if I forget about them they will fade on their own. 

I haven't been going out of my way for my scars, just applying whatever I was using on my entire body...which was coconut oil, but I have recently started using organic, 100% argan oil on my face & in my hai as a smoother.  It's a morroccan oil and the more I read about it the more I notice it's supposed to be a good scar minimizer...I might try it. I'm not crazed over my scars, but if it works, that'd be a bonus!

I also heard about and will be using Rosa Affinis Rubiginosa (Rosa Mosqueta)



http://www.ferlowbotanicals.com/25.20.0.0.1.0.phtml



It helps with scarring. Also supplementation with Bromelain. Pure organic coconut butter is great too.

Not a darn thing worked on my hypertrophic scar! It was getting uncomfortable, so I had the dermatologist inject some Kenalog (steroid) into the scar. That calmed it down, but did nothing to flatten it, like it should have!

So, when I had nipples made last week, I had my surgeon do a scar revision. She used the type of sutures used in face lifts, and I can tell already that there will be no problems with this scar!!

Thistoo & Minustwo - I use the argan oil verrry sparingly on my hair, like 2-3 drops and only use it on the bottom half to avoid the greasy look.  I think it makes my hair shiny/smooth.  I wash my hair twice, maybe three times a week, I have very thick, very long straight hair, so maybe that's why it works? who knows...but as far as the scars go, mine still look the same, I must admit I am not religious about applying creams/oils in the warmer months, but now that it is the winter here in New England, I am more apt to remember to apply oils to my scars while I'm doing the rest of my body.

I'll keep you posted if I notice any major changes! :-) 

When my hubby had his skin cancer surgery, they said the same thing about Aquafor, unfortunately the hubby was not very good about letting me put it on.  Since its on his back and hidden, he didn't care.  My BS said to use vitamin E, so we got some massage oil with vitamin E.  We got really bad about using it and my LE PT was playing with the scar and said that the skin was tightening up too much and we needed to massage it more.  I do it every time I do MLD, like 4 or 5 times a week and its really helped.  When I pull the skin perpendicular to the scar it actually moves now. 

I fairly lucky though, no stretch marks from my 9.75# bb and my scar is already starting to flatten and lighten after just 6 weeks.  It is weird though that the closer it gets to the armpit the darker it is.  Good luck ladies!

thank you everyone!

Thanks MinusTwo,  one of my questions in the thread I started...so thanks!

I just used plain ole Vaseline and massaged the crap outta my scars. My PT told me to do it to break up the surrounding scar tissue and soften the incision line. So far, it's worked.

Re: Vitamin E-   I just wanted to let you guys know that I looked up that study everyone was talking about in the beginning of this thread about Vitamin E not working/doing harm, and it's not a good study.  I'm certainly not saying it DOES work (I have no knowledge either way), but I wouldn't throw it out the window based on this.  The study only had 15 participants for 4 weeks, and the Vitamin E was mixed with Aquaphor, never tested by itself.  You can read it for yourself here:

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10417589

 Cheers! 

Layla:  I lost nipples & aerola and had skin sparing BMX w/the incisions across the middle of the breast line.  My exchange was through the same incision so I only used lotion to keep the skin soft before exchange.  I had drains on both sides for BMX and exchange.  The sentinel node scars were my test scars.  My son had derm surgery some years ago & says Mederma fades even old scars.  I'm really happy with my skin & hair results taking Omega 3 and Vit E capsules.  You just have to stop them 2 weeks before surgery.

Did I mention that I am 8 mos from last revisions and scar is still red and raised. Apparently the silicone strips did not help me that PS gave me. however, I went to drug store and bought some on my own, and am going to put old fashioned first aid cream to see if it helps. I am hoping that some day it will get better. Am I the ony one with many months of scarring and raised. (almost like a keloid).

Hugs

Hello, I'm new here so thanks for being so open. I have just finished TCH treatments.  Im having a bilateral mastectomy in two weeks.  I am not a candidate for reconstruction so I will be left with scars and that's about it. (except possible radiation and more herceptin treatments) ;-) I want to educate myself on what to use for the scars to help them heal as well as fade. Looks like you have all tried some successful products.  I am curious about how to dress now and about the prosthetics....which kind work, weighted or un-weighted, round or teardrop or oval.....I feel overwhelmed and I am walking around in completely foreign ground. If anyone has suggestions or advice I am open to any! Thanks!