Question:
What did you use to get rid of stretch marks and scars?

Hey I'm 2 months post op and wondering what people are using to get rid of scars and stretch marks? I would really appreciate this!    — Carolyn K. (posted on October 6, 2002)

October 6, 2002
I've been reading others' are using a ointment called Mederma, it's sold in a tube. Some use vitamin E oil and other various products. I've never used them. Maybe someone will post how effective Mederma has been for them or what ever magic bullet they're using...:)
   — cheri123

October 6, 2002
Scargo. That's what I used to fade scars, old ones & new ones. My surgical scar formed a keloid (bright red, ropey, hard, burn, itch, thick--loks like a fat earth worm. Not everyone does, but that's just the way I scar. My dermatologist injected the scar to make it lie down flat, then I used Scargo to fade the color back. It's not invisible, but nothing like what it once was. Scargo is OTC, cheap and one bottle lasts forever.
   — vitalady

October 6, 2002
I don't know if its the way a person heals that makes the scar less or what, but I used vit E oil. My scar is barely visable. Can't say its from that or not, because who knows!
   — ZZ S.

October 6, 2002
There is no proven way to get rid of a scar or stretch marks. I use to work in Dermatology, and the recommendation was 'massage'the area with either Mederma, Vit. E oil, or coco butter. It really doesn't matter what you use. It is the massaging that does the trick. It needs to be done 4-5 times a day, for about 10 minutes to soften the scar tissue, for months. Be patient, in time it will begin to lighten up in color. Good Luck
   — Jan S.

October 6, 2002
HI GUYS , I TRIED MEDERMA FOR A SCAR THAT MY DAUGHTER HAD ON HER CHEEK AND IT DID WORK GOOD. IT IS A BIT PRICEY, ABOUT $15.00 FOR A 3 OZ TUBE.
   — DANIELLE R.

October 7, 2002
Hi There! Stretch marks are literally tears of the skin, nothing will make them go away. Mederma will fade them, it's supposed to be a good product. If the stretch marks are in the lower abdominal region, a tummy tuck will remove them when the surgeon cuts off the excess skin.
   — E M.

October 7, 2002
I've been using Mederma for about a week now, and notice a teeny, tiny difference in the red color of the "earthworm" part of my scar. My scar keloided (I never keloided before) this time, unfortunately. The Mederma tube I bought is 1.76 oz. (the tube is about 5 inches long) and cost $26.00! So I'm hoping it will work. The directions say to use it for 3 months, 3-4 applications per day. I also consulted my PCP for a referral to a dermatologist when I was about 3 months out. She said to wait until I was 6 months out and she'd refer me to a dermatologist to get some injections in the keloided part. So we'll see how that goes in about a month. Wish I knew about this "Scargo" you mentioned, Michelle. I think having to pay $26.00 for the Mederma, which has nothing special in it as far as ingredients, is highway robbery! Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

February 24, 2003
Yes you can dramatically remove/reduce the appearance of stretch marks/scars by going to a doctor that specializes in using the co2 cool touch laser.The laser removes the top layer of skin and stimulates the production of collagen and new skin without further scarring.Even if it only was to help the texture and appearance slightly it is better than those snake oil claims about using mederma/cocoa butter will help.They might make skin more supple but they will in no way help the texture/apppearance.You can do a yahoo search and see alot of amazing before and after photos.
   — EMILY S.