How do you manage your scars?

Richie-from-the-Boro

GlasweJen wrote: »

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.

Do you need [ much more expensive - and script only ] bandages ? After all a bandage is just a get sheet / plaster on a roll - most of the expensive gel would possibly not be in direct contact with the affected tissue.

The sheets are widely available anywhere including Amazon - Boots - any eTailer. There is good advice on the use / contra indications of cica-care product here.

You might be better off and save a fortune buying the sheet Cica Care and cheepo bandages, if bandages are preferred to stick~ons.

gingergee

I got silicone patches for my keloid scars. And doc can prescribe special makeup to cover them up, but think you need to moan for it lol x

GlasweJen

I need bandages just now but I won't forever so buying on amazon would be good.

When I got my first keloid scar the dermatologist I saw literally just handed me some healan tape and told me that would help. I got the kelo-kote a few weeks later in the post!

M.Holloway

I've heard lots of good things about bio-oil for healing scars.

You also have a few medical/cosmetic options. You can either try to get a referral from your GP (although this is harder to get these days) or go for a private dermatologist.

Dermaroller can greatly reduce the visibility of scars, more information on scar treatments.

Best to get a consultation first to figure out the type of scarring you have and what the best course of treatments would be.

Patronus

GlasweJen wrote: »

I need bandages just now but I won't forever so buying on amazon would be good.

When I got my first keloid scar the dermatologist I saw literally just handed me some healan tape and told me that would help. I got the kelo-kote a few weeks later in the post!

I'd be interested in hearing more on the items available for Keloid/Hypertrophic scarring. I had two operations on my knee some years back and was left with a nasty scar, I tried silicone patches and they didn't help. Over the years it has faded somewhat and is more white in colour than pink, and no longer raised.

Problem is, I had foot surgery not long ago (September) and I have an absolutely awful scar from it (Keloid/Hypertrophic again), it's painful to even wear shoes as it rubs so much.

GlasweJen

The healan tape is good, better than any creams I've had. You get prescribed a roll of it and you just cut and stick it over the scar like Sellotape. Sounds crazy but there's a steroid in it that dampens the scar down.

The Derma here is now injecting one of my scars with steroid which nips like crazy but the result is looking better already. Apparently the steroids are extortionate and I'm only getting the injections because they need to get the lumps calmed down in case I need more surgery.

c_man

GlasweJen makes a great suggestion - Haelan Tape is very effective and especially good for the management of small 'young' scars, or cuts/spots that you think may turn into larger scars. The only down side I've found is the tiny concentration of steroid (I think its cortisone? but not 100% sure) on the tape. If it was a larger concentration perhaps it would be more effective.

I suffer from keloid scarring (like a few others in this thread, it seems) and have done so for at least a decade now - its an extremely difficult condition to treat and there seems to be little professional help out there too!

Given there is no known cure for the condition, or even prevention mechanisms, I've set up a dedicated forum (totally free & non-profit) to help other keloid sufferers discuss how best to cope with the scars.

It can be accessed at the following link and it'd be great if you can share your experiences and advice.

http://www.KeloidScarForum.com

It's less than one day old (!) and is still stabilising so please give it some time

mouseymousey99

Another vote for time, they don't bother me - I'm quite proud of them, proof I am a lot stronger than I thought I was.

ab.da54

KxMx wrote: »

Bio Oil has been great for my stretchmarks, and it's supposed to work on scars as well. Can be pricey but if you shop around on eBay etc you can get good prices.

I know stretch marks can't be compared to scarring like you have, but I feel the same about my marks and even if a partner didn't mind, I mind that they are there and look feel/horrible

I use Bio-Oil on my scars and it has helped reduce them over the years, although the larger scars are still a work in progress.

I also use Palmer's cocoa butter each day and this has helped too.

garfield413

As someone who is covered in scars from major spinal surgeries, chest drains, arthroscopies et al, I've found that Bio-oil and other expensive creams/oils don't make the blindest bit of difference.

I have, however discovered over the years and after further operations, that as long as you massage something like body butter or vitamin E cream into the scar frequently as soon as any scab falls off naturally and with as much circular pressure as you can stand, then the scar fades really quickly and any keloid scarring generally disappears.

Older keloid scars can also be vastly reduced by continuing to massage hard with cream.

Hope this helps and it works for me and others I've spoken to.

:T