How do you minimize scarring after MtF GRS? I know that scar management is a complex and uncertain topic and everyone is different, but still I would like to collect the knowledge that is here in the forum.

So, 1) what did your surgeon recommend for scar management? Do you think it made a difference, taking into account how your own body tended to scar previously?
And 2) did you find out your own scar management approach and did it work?

Just for starters, there are different vitamins applied topically or systemaly, hydrocortison, silicon oil, silicon sheet covering, then massaging or not massaging, keeping moist or dry, etc.

Thanks!

Snake Oil seems to be the most available on different websites...

In all seriousness, keep the skin moist and drink lots of water to help hydration. Scars which have "depth" should be regularly massaged if that is possible. This is because blood capilaries may try to avoid denser tissue - hence pink surgery scars. Silicon oils and cortisone creams can help, depends upon how well you are healing. Some suppliments which include serato-peptisade may also help, or may do nothing.

There is a girl on youtube who had been recommended bio-oil by other trans girls, but she only just started using it so she has no idea how effective it will be. However the fact that several people recommended it means its in the back of my head for when its my turn.

Brassard forbids use of ANY oil. Says to massage starting on week 4 with vitamin e cream

Quote from: Myarkstir on December 11, 2014, 01:09:39 PM
Brassard forbids use of ANY oil. Says to massage starting on week 4 with vitamin e cream

Weird. My surgeon, dermatologist and electrologist all said to wait for 4-6 months before even thinking about massaging them, because you can make them wider and larger by massaging them too soon. But, it must be done in the first year, because after 1 year scars are settled and cannot be massaged anymore. So far, I only read conflicting information regarding scars, lubrication, dilating schedules ...etcetera.

That said, you cannot prevent scars. Once an incision is made, it's a done deal. How big they are depend how deep the incision was made. The more fat under your skin, the more ugly the scars, as I can testify. (therefore: healthy BMI is indicated) It takes anywhere between 2 - 5 years for scars to be as they will remain for life, (mostly). 2 years is usually the time where they will not change much anymore.

I honestly didn't do anything besides gentle massage for 2-3 minutes a day with the lube right before dilation (and making sure to stay hydrated, etc.).

Seems like the biggest difference in how I scar is sun exposure - I had two minor incisions made on my arm on the same day, one above my sleeve line and one below. The one below scarred badly and is still obviously red and puckered decades later, the other faded to light pink and flat.

That said, the scars from GRS are now almost invisible; very very slightly pinker lines that tend to get lost in the labial folds (and hidden by hair anyway). So I guess being somewhere dark, moist, and un-stressed was good for my skin's recovery? Weird, but OK.

My gynecologist who is experienced with transgenders with srs instructed me to use neosporin, coconut oil to dilate, and cicaplast as well as vitamin E oil/serum. So far my healing is going phenomenally faster than I ever imagined like I'm some kind of wolverine in the marvel comics.

I think I might have super powers...

OOOHHH!!! Do you have adamantium claws?

Quote from: jojo702 on December 11, 2014, 06:57:50 PM
My gynecologist who is experienced with transgenders with srs instructed me to use neosporin, coconut oil to dilate, and cicaplast as well as vitamin E oil/serum. So far my healing is going phenomenally faster than I ever imagined like I'm some kind of wolverine in the marvel comics.

I think I might have super powers...

I call it wolverinette powers