Scar prevention

[nicole]

I had very minor surgery on my face last week, and I think a scab fell off prematurely. Since it's on my face, I want to prevent scarring as much as possible, and I'm wondering what would work best. Vitamin E? Mederma, or is that just for treating existing scars? Any other suggestions? TIA!

[kari]

I read an article yesterday that said use vaseline and keep it covered to promote healing and less scarring.

[nicole]

Covered like with a Band Aid, or just with the Vaseline itself? It's right by the tip of my nose, so I don't think a Band-Aid would stick.

[kari]

ah, so yea, maybe just a little vaseline then

[Brandles]

I had success in fading a large scar on my abdomin from an ovarian cyst removal years afterwards by applying pure vitamin E oil (with the roller ball from GNC) nightly. I was also told to use cocoa butter when I first had the surgery.

[nicole]

So cocoa butter to help prevent and vitamin E to help the scar fade? Where do you get cocoa butter? I'm hoping to get something over my lunch break.

[Missy2U]

So cocoa butter to help prevent and vitamin E to help the scar fade? Where do you get cocoa butter? I'm hoping to get something over my lunch break.

Walgreens. Palmer's makes a 4.4 oz. jar that runs about $5.00. (http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?CATID=303550&navAction=jump&navCount=0&skuid=sku2245551&id=prod2246073)

Any pharmacy type place should have it.

[Phen]

Mederma works beautifully for me, though I know it's pricey.

~ Phen

[Rancid13]

You can get both vitamin E oil and cocoa butter at just about any drugstore (CVS, Target, Walgreens, etc). Neosporin is also supposed to help scars heal as well, or so I've heard. :)

[dollface]

Aquaphor. I work in a derm's office and that is what we give patients.

[BumbleB]

I've used Mederma too and it worked wonders on my scars. I have fair, sensitive skin and I do not heal well, Mederma worked really fast for me on a bike crash scar I got last summer and stretch marks. It really took the red out.

Expensive, but worth it if you ever need to go that extra step.

[trestlegirl]

*Bumping this*

Has anyone used silicone strips (there are a couple of brands, I think) on scars? I had surgery on my neck last week, and the doctor recommended that I use either the silicone stips or Mederma to minimize the scaring once my scab falls off. I'm trying to decide which would be easier to use...