Non-Mederma Scar Treatment

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ponygirlmom

ponygirlmom

VR.org Supporter
Supporting Member
Joined
May 2, 2008
Messages
659
Location
Fountain Hills, Arizona
Several people, including Adam Pick (the guy who wrote that book about valve-replacement surgery) high recommend Mederma for scar healing. '

Unfortunately, Mederma is fragranced. i called the company, and they said that without the fragrance, the product naturally smells like onions -- it's derived from onions -- and they feel that no one will use it without fragrance.

I could tolerate onions. I can't tolerate perfumes.

Any other suggestions?
 
suggestions

suggestions

I was given a green bottle of Aloe 99. It is 99.9 percent pure cold aloe- not processed. I put it on as soon as I got it, and have been healing nicely. I have also used silicone scar sheet treatments and Emu oil (bought it online) at the suggestion of a plastic surgeon after other surgeries, and may use those once the scabs are gone, but in the mean time just use the aloe. Of course I told my mom about the aloe and she said just get an aloe plant, that is 100 percent pure. of course. Hope that helps!
Ingrid
 
My nurse (unofficially - when I asked) told me she has seen great success with Vitamin E. I haven't used it and don't plan to. At first I thought my scar, after re-opening it for my second surgery, would be really ugly but it isn't. I'm not yet four months post op and I'm wearing v neck tops and low cut tops. It barely looks any more noticeable than it did when the first scar was four years old.

So, long story....... I've been told Vitamin E capsules, opened and the oil applied directly to the scar helps.
 
I have been told the essential oil of lavendar works wonders on scar healing although I have not tried it yet. I was just given a small bottle to try. A drop is all you need at a time. I wonder if the scent would be too much for you. I understand about the scents because I have allergies and most perfumes bother me. I would be interested to hear more and find out what works for you. Good luck with it.
 
Most pharmacies carry Vitamin E as either an Oil or Cream.

Ask your surgeon just so that he is aware if you decide to use vitamin E.
 
Some surgeons do not want patients putting anything at all on the scars. It's a good idea to check with your surgeon as everyone is different. (S)he may okay it for one person but not another.
 
Check with the surgeon before using ANYTHING.

Vitamin E does help scars. You can get Vitamin E oil at most drug stores. It's easier and less messy than cutting open capsules.
To answer Ponygirlmom; If the wound isn't healed enough they don't want you messing with it. That's their call and what your paying them for.
Vitamin E is actually something that they will tell you to stop taking a week before surgery. Different doctors did that with both my Mom & Dad.
They do not want you to take vitamin E before surgery because it thins the blood.
I also read an article where ingesting too much vitamin E slows down healing of wounds.
However, for treating a healed wound (scar) it is helpful.

The Essential oil of Lavender has been recognized for 100's of years as helpful in wound healing. But it must be the real deal. Not just a perfume or synthetic product. Some people with sensitive skin can have reactions to lavender so try it elsewhere first. Lavender has antiseptic & analgesic qualities. It was used by European military doctors during both world wars to treat serious burns and other wounds.
When the doctor gives my Mom the OK, she'll be using both vitamin E & Lavender.
UPDATE

6/26. Mom had some discomfort from the steri- strips that were still over the pacemaker site. We removed them with saline and could see where her skin was rubbed raw. I mixed some lavender into some Aquaphor which is great stuff. Well, I didn't test the smell with her first and the lavender was overpowering her sensitive nose so I had to wash it off. I then put just the Aquaphor on the raw parts ( not the scar area) because we have not been told by the surgeon it's ok yet. It helped out a lot but I learned my lesson.Test anything you want to use first with the smell test then on a small area far away from the incision. By the way,The Aquapfor doesn't really have an odor. So Mom will not be getting lavender after all.
 
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I am allergic and skin sensitive to everything.
My scar was cleaned with saline water and to alleviate the itchiness when healing, I applied something called "norm L" gel which is a hospital item; clear, odourless, totally neutral.
 
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