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General advice on scar care?
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General advice on scar care?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › General advice on scar care?

  • Post
    • June 9, 2015 at 8:16 pm
    ldub
    Participant

      Though I know the aesthetics of wound care and best ways to minimize scar appearance are likely the least of most melanoma survivors' concerns, trying to make the most of your skin's healing from procedures is a step in recovery in my opinion.  Other than keeping your wounds/scars out of the sun, are there any tips/tricks any of you have used or learned from your doctors to promote healing and/or lessen the appearance of your scars? 

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • June 10, 2015 at 6:45 am
        Squash
        Participant

          Rose hip oil rubbed into the scar promotes healing of the scar.

          I also used castor oil packs around the area as a preventative measure against local rcerrence.

           

            • June 10, 2015 at 2:36 pm
            amelanomajourney
            Participant

              Any kind of moisturizer is helpful (save for Vaseline which can actually stop the wound from "breathing").  A mepiform dressing could also do the trick if applied regularly for 6 months.  It is expensive and a nussance to wear, but some of the before and after photos are impressive.  I used it on my skin graft and think it took down keloid scar growth and lightened the colour.

              Otherwise time will play the biggest role – you'll be very impressed at the healing by the 12 month mark!

              • June 10, 2015 at 2:36 pm
              amelanomajourney
              Participant

                Any kind of moisturizer is helpful (save for Vaseline which can actually stop the wound from "breathing").  A mepiform dressing could also do the trick if applied regularly for 6 months.  It is expensive and a nussance to wear, but some of the before and after photos are impressive.  I used it on my skin graft and think it took down keloid scar growth and lightened the colour.

                Otherwise time will play the biggest role – you'll be very impressed at the healing by the 12 month mark!

                • June 10, 2015 at 2:36 pm
                amelanomajourney
                Participant

                  Any kind of moisturizer is helpful (save for Vaseline which can actually stop the wound from "breathing").  A mepiform dressing could also do the trick if applied regularly for 6 months.  It is expensive and a nussance to wear, but some of the before and after photos are impressive.  I used it on my skin graft and think it took down keloid scar growth and lightened the colour.

                  Otherwise time will play the biggest role – you'll be very impressed at the healing by the 12 month mark!

                • June 10, 2015 at 6:45 am
                Squash
                Participant

                  Rose hip oil rubbed into the scar promotes healing of the scar.

                  I also used castor oil packs around the area as a preventative measure against local rcerrence.

                   

                  • June 10, 2015 at 6:45 am
                  Squash
                  Participant

                    Rose hip oil rubbed into the scar promotes healing of the scar.

                    I also used castor oil packs around the area as a preventative measure against local rcerrence.

                     

                    • June 11, 2015 at 4:22 pm
                    ldub
                    Participant

                      Thanks for all of the suggestions – I had not heard of most of them.  I think that passage of time probably does most of the work, but sounds like you all have had some success with topicals. 

                      • June 11, 2015 at 4:22 pm
                      ldub
                      Participant

                        Thanks for all of the suggestions – I had not heard of most of them.  I think that passage of time probably does most of the work, but sounds like you all have had some success with topicals. 

                        • June 11, 2015 at 4:22 pm
                        ldub
                        Participant

                          Thanks for all of the suggestions – I had not heard of most of them.  I think that passage of time probably does most of the work, but sounds like you all have had some success with topicals. 

                          • June 12, 2015 at 2:44 pm
                          LaurenE
                          Participant

                            In general, anything that contains Vitamin E will aid in healing. There are serums out there in health food aisles of different concentrations that you can apply to your scar and may improve healing. There is also some good evidence for topical zinc. 

                            As it continues to heal, massage the scar area to keep it from tightening too much.

                            Check with your surgeon before you start doing too much to make sure it's at the right stage of healing!!

                              • June 12, 2015 at 10:47 pm
                              ldub
                              Participant

                                Thanks Lauren – I am good to go with my scar – my surgery was about two months ago.  I have been lightly massaging it with cream morning and night – so far no keloid, but since my skin tends to do that, I am sure there is a fair chance I will still end up with one.  Do you know anything about those silicone scar sheets or Mederma cream?  I read somewhere online an informational document given by a surgical assistant to his surgeon's patients on scar treatment and he said these two things (and arnica oil?) have been effective in many patients in reducing the appearance of scars. 

                                • June 12, 2015 at 10:47 pm
                                ldub
                                Participant

                                  Thanks Lauren – I am good to go with my scar – my surgery was about two months ago.  I have been lightly massaging it with cream morning and night – so far no keloid, but since my skin tends to do that, I am sure there is a fair chance I will still end up with one.  Do you know anything about those silicone scar sheets or Mederma cream?  I read somewhere online an informational document given by a surgical assistant to his surgeon's patients on scar treatment and he said these two things (and arnica oil?) have been effective in many patients in reducing the appearance of scars. 

                                  • June 12, 2015 at 10:47 pm
                                  ldub
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks Lauren – I am good to go with my scar – my surgery was about two months ago.  I have been lightly massaging it with cream morning and night – so far no keloid, but since my skin tends to do that, I am sure there is a fair chance I will still end up with one.  Do you know anything about those silicone scar sheets or Mederma cream?  I read somewhere online an informational document given by a surgical assistant to his surgeon's patients on scar treatment and he said these two things (and arnica oil?) have been effective in many patients in reducing the appearance of scars. 

                                  • June 12, 2015 at 2:44 pm
                                  LaurenE
                                  Participant

                                    In general, anything that contains Vitamin E will aid in healing. There are serums out there in health food aisles of different concentrations that you can apply to your scar and may improve healing. There is also some good evidence for topical zinc. 

                                    As it continues to heal, massage the scar area to keep it from tightening too much.

                                    Check with your surgeon before you start doing too much to make sure it's at the right stage of healing!!

                                    • June 12, 2015 at 2:44 pm
                                    LaurenE
                                    Participant

                                      In general, anything that contains Vitamin E will aid in healing. There are serums out there in health food aisles of different concentrations that you can apply to your scar and may improve healing. There is also some good evidence for topical zinc. 

                                      As it continues to heal, massage the scar area to keep it from tightening too much.

                                      Check with your surgeon before you start doing too much to make sure it's at the right stage of healing!!

                                  Viewing 8 reply threads
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