How do you treat your scars?

[Lex]

Silicone sheets, Scarguard, Mederma, Bio Oil, homemade solutions, ect.?
What are some of the pros vs. cons and experiences you've had with different treatments?

[Sebryn]

I've been using two forms of treatment really. Micropore tape therapy and silicone gel. The only con I can think of is the hassle of having to remove and change the tape, waiting for the gel to dry before applying the tape of course. So far I've been getting good results with the scars staying very thin and beginning to fade, the thin part is new but the fading isn't a surprise since I've used this silicone gel on my hysterectomy scars before. Kelo-cote advanced formula scar gel is what I have been using and honestly it's the best stuff I've ever used on any of my scars, even the scars that are over 10 years old.

ETA: I forgot to add that in the past I've tried just micropore tape therapy, which caused my scar to stay thin and flat but not fade for a long time and vitamin E oil...which caused nothing to happen really. I might as well have done nothing to the scars on my hands.

[Lex]

Thanks Sebryn, I didn't know micropore tape could be used for scars.

[Bimmer Guy]

I use the 7 inch Scar Away scar strips and the silicone Scar Away gel.

I don't know if you have read the top surgery recovery sticky thread, but there is a a lot of conversation around scar treatments on that thread.

[Sebryn]

Yeah, I had forgotten about it until a piercer reminded me about the use for scar treatment. I used it years ago when barb wire sliced my leg when I was mending a fence on my grandma's ranch. The doctor told me to use the tape for three months after the stitches were removed to give the wound time to heal/provide additional strength to the surrounding area to keep the new scar from pulling apart too early.

[anibioman]

I used silicone scar strips and they seem to have worked very well. visible results in flattening my scars. I started around three weeks.

[FlightyBrood]

I'm just about six weeks along and got the ok at like three to stop wearing tape. I am just using micropore tape and...I can barely even see parts of my scars already. I'll post pics in the healing thread, but that's all I've done and it's amazing. Think it depends highly on the width of incisions though. Mine are barely there to begin with!

[Elijah3291]

I used silicone strips for about three weeks once my scars were healed enough to use them. I am cheap so I didn't use enough strips to cover all of my scars, I left a inch or two on each far side uncovered. I stopped using the strips when I noticed that although my scars were really flat where the strips were, they were also WIDER then the uncovered bits.

Now I just leave them be, and occasionally massage them with lotion.

[aleon515]

I do the Scaraway Serum. It's easy and rather fast. I think my scars are nice and light (4-5 months). I have used the strips but they seem to me to be too much trouble. I don't like Scarguard due to nasty nasty smell and it peels off.

Funny thing, have had trouble finding the Scaraway serum in the last month, not sure why that is. I found it at CVS and they were trying to get rid of it. Might go to kelocote but it's more expensive.

--Jay

[Bimmer Guy]

I do the Scaraway Serum. It's easy and rather fast. I think my scars are nice and light (4-5 months). I have used the strips but they seem to me to be too much trouble. I don't like Scarguard due to nasty nasty smell and it peels off.

Funny thing, have had trouble finding the Scaraway serum in the last month, not sure why that is. I found it at CVS and they were trying to get rid of it. Might go to kelocote but it's more expensive.

--Jay

Interesting.  Same here, Jay.  I usually get it at Walgreens and they haven't had it.  Since I have $2.00 off coupons (you get the $2.00 when you buy the strips), I don't want to buy online.  I use both strips and serum.

Jay, since you bought the Target strips I really think that you should consider the Scar Away ones if you are going to give up the serum.  I went for a 1.5 hour fast paced walk with my dog yesterday and was seriously sweating.  They stayed on.  I promise you won't have any problems with them.  I have seen videos of guys saying there is a big different between them and Target's.  I remember you saying Targer's would come off.

If you do get them, get the 7 inch ones.  Those I have only found online.

[aleon515]

Interesting.  Same here, Jay.  I usually get it at Walgreens and they haven't had it.  Since I have $2.00 off coupons (you get the $2.00 when you buy the strips), I don't want to buy online.  I use both strips and serum.

Jay, since you bought the Target strips I really think that you should consider the Scar Away ones if you are going to give up the serum.
If you do get them, get the 7 inch ones.  Those I have only found online.

I hate messing with them, wash them off, reuse. It's a pain.  The serum is so much easier. I'd probably go online and buy a few months worth or something, so the shipping isn't such an issue. Right now I have April's.

--Jay

[Bimmer Guy]

I hate messing with them, wash them off, reuse. It's a pain.  The serum is so much easier. I'd probably go online and buy a few months worth or something, so the shipping isn't such an issue. Right now I have April's.

--Jay

You're right, it is a pain.  Each morning I groggily get out of bed, take them off, and wash.  Then I hope that by the time I am ready to leave (about 45 minutes later), I wish they were dry and then have to put the blow dryer to them.

I just like knowing my scars are encased (so to speak) in silicone.  I work 10 hours a day and don't have the option to add more serum and let it dry.

[aleon515]

You're right, it is a pain.  Each morning I groggily get out of bed, take them off, and wash.  Then I hope that by the time I am ready to leave (about 45 minutes later), I wish they were dry and then have to put the blow dryer to them.

I just like knowing my scars are encased (so to speak) in silicone.  I work 10 hours a day and don't have the option to add more serum and let it dry.

I guess you could buy two sets and alternate. I could add more during the day, usually don't though, unless I do something that would likely rub it off. I don't feel really obsessive about it, but I do use it every day.

--Jay

[Tossu-sama]

I used silicone strips for a while - I got some free of charge from the hospital in a check-up - but I couldn't buy more of them because they were so damn expensive. The size I needed was over 100€. But I noticed my scars got softer and more even when I used them.

I've also tried Bio-Oil. Used it for several weeks and didn't see any difference so I stopped. It was annoying anyway so win-win?

Now I'm giving emu oil a try. My fiancée ordered it and apparently it's some miracle product of skin care that you can use almost for anything.
Oh well, at least it's 100% natural so it can't be too bad. Unless you're allergic to emus, perhaps?

[Bimmer Guy]

I guess you could buy two sets and alternate. I could add more during the day, usually don't though, unless I do something that would likely rub it off. I don't feel really obsessive about it, but I do use it every day.

--Jay

Yes, when I used the strips the first go around (this was my first scar treatment, before I did the serum full time for 6 weeks), I did the alternating approach.  It was actually annoying.  It's ok the way it is.  But, yes, the serum is easier...it was hard in the winter though, waiting for that to dry before getting dressed!

[Jennygirl]

Coconut Oil (extra virgin unrefined)

Bye bye scars! My ffs surgeon was blown away at the 2 month checkup. The stuff works, and it's cheap and has a bajillion other uses like moisturizing, removing eye makeup, encouraging hair growth, and repairing dental problems. Don't even get me started

(sorry if you have a coconut allergy!)

[Jill F]

I talk dirty to mine.

[Berserk]

For a while I was using a scar cream I got from the drug store...but it didn't do very much. What worked best for me was that my surgeon a bit past my 6 month visit offered (for free) to inject a steroid into the scars. They started to soften, flatten and lighten almost immediately afterwards. At this point most of the incisions are fairly faint, but I don't think it would have been if he hadn't injected my chest (had it done on two occasions). If your surgeon offers that I'd take them up on it, works like a charm.