How do you manage your scars?

MightyB_2

Bio oil. I had really bad facial scarring after an accident and it is practically gone now thanks to this.

DorsetGirl_2

I agree with Bio Oil - I have 2 C-section scars and a large-ish burn scar on my thigh and I do think using Bio oil has helped. It seems to work much better on my youngest son who has a shingles scar on his shoulder/back.

I have a friend who has had cancer and has scars on her breasts - she swears by Vitamin E capsules.

formaldehyde_perfume

The only thing that will improve the scars look drastically is time; but things like cocoa butter, bio oil and vit e cream will help the tissue structure and hopefully prevent any associated pain.

It sounds strange but to help my raised and hard scars I 'massage' the area very gently and often (I used to use an intensive cream as suggested above, but as time has passed I find myself worrying less and less about my scars so I don't treat them as often as I should) which I believe helps the tightness of the skin around the scar (I have no medical training, it's just my opinion). I'm not sure I would suggest you do this right now as your scar is very new so it may not hold up to much pressure, but as long as you do it in baby steps you will know how much and how often. Don't rush in to it!

Brassedoff

Jen, both my wife and I who have our own scar compitition use Aloe (make sure it's pure) and time. The scars on the neck from the three ops together with the staple marks are very difficult to see. The scar up my back which is long is settling the same after 16 months by using the same gel. It gives great cooling relief especially when it starts itching.

If you know anyone going to Lanzarote or order it online you will get it much, much cheaper than in the shops. Make sure you also take a minute to enjoy the extended life you have, which is more important ;-)

Savvy_Sue

Brassedoff wrote: »

If you know anyone going to Lanzarote or order it online you will get it much, much cheaper than in the shops.

If I'd read this while I was out there, I'd have brought some back from Fuerteventura ...

We once went to the Abbey House Gardens (Naked Gardeners) on a clothes optional day. Several of the chaps were comparing heart surgery scars. I'm not suggesting you'd want to get yours out Jen, but they can be a source of pride.

My shoulder scar is very faint now, after lots of rubbing moisturiser into it, but I don't think it ever went keloid and it's early days still for you!

MrsManda

Time is the main healer but it can be helped.
Both myself and my sister have had some terrible scars so I understand a little how you feel.
My sister's scarring was the worst, she had metal rods put into her legs as a baby and ended up with really wide scars the whole length of her shins then as a 7yr old broke her arm badly, had a metal rod inserted which was left there too long so went septic.
All the scars looks like angry welts.
For the first few weeks while they healed we used E45 cream on them daily. Once they'd settled and were no longer scabby and sore we used Dermatix which is a silicon based gel (I recommend it but can't be used on broken skin). My sister got it on prescription from the GP but I don't know if that's because she was a child or whether it's standard.
Now a few years on they're still visable but very pale so you have to actively look for them.

My scarring is due to various surgeries, the ones where the surgeon has only had to go in 1-3 times faded over time though I did use vitamin E gel for the last couple to help. I have one terrible scar which nothing can be done about because there's too much scar tissue internally - technically they may be able to do more surgery to fix it but I can't say I fancied it nor were my surgeons happy about the idea.

I agree with Rich, any boyfriend worth your love and attention won't care. Just be completely honest about the fact the scars are there and that they worry you. Once the swelling had gone down a little and they're no longer sore let him see (if you're at the stage you're happy for him to see the parts of your body where the scars are) and touch if he wants to.
In my experience new boyfriends are more frightened of hurting you rather than being particularly repulsed by the scarring.

There are plenty of men out there who will see you for who you are rather than for your illness and the ones who stand by you while you're in hospital are usually the ones who'll stick around afterwards during your recovery and beyond.

WillpowerFree

I agree that bio oil is great for scars - I have a C-Section scar and it's really helped that. I found it pretty cheap online, here's a link: http://www.axismedicare.co.uk/product_info.php/skincare-and-sterilising-bio-oil-125ml-stock-bio-oil-p-512

JFKS

Hi Jen

With my heart surgery , I have a chest that looks like I have been a bad knife throwers assistant, 3 of my scars are Keiloid and I am using gel sheets prescribed by the Doctor called Cica Care, It has really worked on the purple raised one, The other thing I have done is contacted the Red Cross Camouflage make up team, most areas have them and I know use Veil creams to conceal the scars they are matched to your skin colour, They are really good, Lets say I came out of the session and bought a low neck top, and wore it, and cried because for the first time in years I looked normal, Again avaliable on prescription.
http://wound.smith-nephew.com/uk/node.asp?NodeId=3019
http://www.veilcovercream.com/

GlasweJen

Thanks for that, I was told the gel bandages were only available in hospitals!

I've never used the veil stuff before so I'll ask if there's a service like this near me, the red cross supplied my wheelchair so I'll ask them too.

Richie-from-the-Boro

O/T - JFKS,

"""bad knife throwers assistant""" .. .. love it - it shows the courage and resilience of an individual. It made me grin, and made a wet Wednesday a little better !