Scar care

OscarLali

Apologies if this has been asked already, but what is everyone’s thoughts on scar care? As usual, the internet is a contradiction of conflicting advice, some saying not to put anything on your scar, others saying to slather it in an array of lotions and potions, so just wondering what others have done. For me, my scar is on my thigh, being a posterior hip scar, but I’m interested in any advice available - is it worth investing in any creams to help the scar heal or just leave to Mother Nature to work her magic??

Thanks in advance 😃

Gailmoly2

Hi

I'm new to the online community but have many scars which are old now. I have used bio-oil in the past but now I use pure therapeutic grade essential oils and doterra Frankincense is great for scars

Hope that helps 😊

alwayssewing

E45 was recommended by my physiotherapist and I also use Bio oil. The most important thing is to massage the scar well and do it every day. My first hip scar, done last February, is now mostly a very thin silver scar. The second, done last May, is looking good some now just a silver line with a couple of areas that were deeper are still a bit red but smaller than they were.

Eeyore

I found Oil of Evening Primrose rubbed on the scar daily very effective. I used it (many years ago) when I had a hysterectomy and within a very short time the scar was almost invisible. And it seemed to reduce the itching as the scar was healing! If I ever have another operation that will be my go-to product.

Trish9556

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/63797/scar-care

Hi @OscarLali

My go to cream is E45 recommended to me by my very first surgeon many years ago.

You need the thick, gloopy stuff in a pot, not the lotion in a bottle. Just apply as much as you like, as often as you like. In the early days post surgery just make sure that the wound has healed and is not weeping at all. When your scar is new and tends to be a bit on the sore side it helps to keep the pot in the fridge, it really does help.

It is the only thing I rcommend and is an awful lot cheaper than things like Bio Oil. All of my scars are now barely noticeable from those on my hands, back, hips and tummy thanks to E45

Trish

OscarLali

Thanks all, it’s one of the questions I never thought to ask before leaving hospital, and @Trish9556 i like your idea of putting the cream in the fridge, especially as the skin is still a bit warm some days, I’ll definitely give that a go!!

MD99

I have a scar from an operation that was a lot deeper than they intended it to be. The nurse taking out my stitches really strongly recommended something called kelo-cote for the first while alongside petroleum based products and then to move on to using bio-oil but only when the scar is around a year old. Kelo-cote isn't cheap by any means but a little goes a long way and I found it really helpful.

OscarLali

Just got another quick scar question, I wanted to run past everyone, again, just to see what the general consensus is.
Unfortunately, I carry all my excess weight around my hips, bum and thighs, so I was well aware beforehand that surgery would have meant a larger incision than most have had, which although didn’t fill me with joy, I understood. It’s now been just over 3 weeks since surgery and 6 days since the staples came out and I’m concerned that parts of the scar look to be re-opening. My wound is just short of 11 inches and has mostly closed nicely, just the last few days I’m noticing quite a bit of stinging and sections that look really raw again and I don’t know if I’m being unduly paranoid about it, or where this is part of the normal healing process. I’m wondering that because my legs are so big, is the skin just not holding together long enough to heal, should I perhaps see about getting some steri-strips to hold these sections in place or is this entirely normal?? This is the first time in my life I’ve ever had an operation so I don’t have anything to compare to and just want to know if I’m stressing unnecessarily.

[Deleted User]

11 inches is a normal length even for thin people. Hip scar stretches a little bit because it's on a joint and it's not much you can do apart from getting it very hydrated to avoid overstretching. My scar looked much closed the day of the staples removal than after. This scar will not dissappear and it always be there with you as a witness of your battle, sorry. I still have a scar on my hand from a surgery when I was 5 years old. If you are olive or darker skin it could look very red or even almost purple but it's normal and it'll fade eventually but it'll take time. It said that scar is healing during our whole life. My recommendation is not to get too much obsessed with it and get focus in your recovery.