Question:
Are there any good products/ideas to lessen the scar?
I'm getting the open RNY in less thasn a month, and I'm interested in any store products/prescribed/or home remedies to help heal the scar well and/or lessen it's appearance. — Kelly C. (posted on May 16, 2002)
May 16, 2002
I am three weeks post op, staples and butterfly strips out and I am using
pure vera aloe gel. It came in a tube at the drugstore. I am also using
vitamin E capsules, but it takes about three capsules and is a bit messy.
I also bought some aloe vera lotion pre-op but wanted to heal a bit more
before I try it. Everytime I am at a drugstore or target/walmart I look at
skin care products, lotions to see what is available and to experiment with
different things as I find what I like best.
— Beverly K.
May 16, 2002
There are two products that I have heard about, but have not tried the
first is Mederma http://www.mederma.com/ and the second is Catrix
http://www.lescarden.com/products/index.html. I can't give any personal
testimony on these, so you may want to ask your surgeon.
— Cheryl S.
May 17, 2002
I had carpal tunnel surgery done by a plastic surgeon. He told me to use
cocoa butter lotion and rub in the same direction using my thumb. I
followed his instructions on the 1st hand he did and you can barely see the
scar. I didn't do as good a job on the 2nd hand and you can tell the
difference. He said that cocoa butter lotion will make the scar skin
stretch. It worked for me.
— Traci B.
May 17, 2002
I used vitamin E Cream for some other scars that I have and it worked
great!! Especially for lessoning of the keyloid formations and also it
faded the redness alot.
— Karen W.
May 17, 2002
I had knee surgery last September. I applied pur Vitamin E oil (in the
bottle, not the capsules). There are 24,000 IU in the bottle. After you
shower whiule your skin is still moist, rub a little of the oil into the
scar(s). They will be barely visible.
— Tappinma
May 17, 2002
Hi Kelly! I had seen commercials on TV for a product called Mederma. I
went to Walmart to check it out and it was almost $15.00 for a little tube.
My surgeon said Vitamin E oil would work fine so I just went with that. I
got it at Walmart also and it was just under $4.00 a bottle. Best of luck
to you!
— Dona R.
May 17, 2002
Dona is right! When I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand in March
2001, I used the Vitamin E oil from Wal-Mart 2-3 times a day on my scar
(after it was all closed up of course). My physical therapist couldn't
believe how good my scar looked. She also said the massaging action of
rubbing in the oil is good for the circulation and reduces the scar tissue.
It's all the same premise as the "firming lotions" that are so
popular today. It isn't just the added moisture that improves the
appearance of the skin, it's the increased circulation of the massaging you
do when applying. And you don't have to spend a lot of money on expensive
Vitamin E creams. The brand of Vitamin E oil I purchased at Wal-Mart is
Spring Valley, with 12,000 IU. Good luck to you! :)
— Anna L.
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