Question:
Does anything really work on scars?

I've looked at Mederma and Curad Scar Therapy patches, and both strike me as quite expensive. My scars tend to be over-pigmented rather than raised. If one I've named or some other brand-name product will lighten my scars, I'll try it; otherwise, has anyone tried lemon juice?    — Virginia N. (posted on August 30, 2004)

August 30, 2004
I can't imagine how lemon juice would help lighten a scar (it's not the same as removing dye from fabric). I would think the acid in it would only irritate the skin, especially healing skin. I wouldn't try that without the surgeon's OK. My plastic surgeon recommended Mederma, and I'll grant you it's expensive. However, after all the other money I put into this, I'm willing to invest a bit more. I'm only six and half weeks post-op, so it's too early to tell how well it's working. However, I do notice that my scars do not seem to be too bad. They are hardly at all raised, and seem to be turning pinker (rather than red). However, whether they would be improving to that extent without the Mederma will always be unknown. I found a pretty good price on Mederma online at freshskincare.com, so I'm willing to try. I have long scars from my elbows to my armpits from the brachioplasty that I would really like to see fade. It seems like the abdominal scars are fading a bit better, but it could be my imagination since I don't care about them so much!
   — Vespa R.

August 30, 2004
My PS said to use Vitamin E. I got some vitamin E oil from the health food store less than $5.00.
   — star .

August 30, 2004
First, in regard to vitamin E. My son cut his forehead and ended up with a 1 inch vertical scar. I used vitamin E religiously for 9 months, twice a day. He still looks like Harry Potter. I have been told not to waste my $$$ on the other items as they are costly and don't do all that much to improve the scar. I have had 2 abdominal surgeries in the bikini area, previous to WLS and PS. By the time 2 years had passed, the scar was a thin white line. Now, 18 months post-op from my lap RNY, my lap scars have faded too. Give it time and they will eventually fade. I am only relating my experience. I am sure others are different. Good luck!!
   — Fixnmyself

August 31, 2004
Hi my doctor said to use pure coco butter. The only place I found it was Sally's beauty supply. He told me all the other creams are a waste of money. He said time is the only factor. Good luck
   — sarah C.

August 31, 2004
I have a lot of scars, some from surgeries some from injuries. <p> I have some pretty nasty scars on my arm that have faded to white but are still apparent, and one is still very painful. I have tried things for them and nothing has helped. <p> I had a c-section (bikini line) 7 years ago, it left a really ugly scar, but after all these years, I cannot even tell that I had it, unless I look really hard! <p> I am fifteen months post op and my bypass line has faded so much!!! Even the huge mass that infected! (Now I will be re-scarred because of the hernia repair). Even if it leaves an ugly scar, it's a badge of honor, I am proud that I had the courage to get a bypss. <p> Anyway, (Sorry I am getting long-winded) I would wait and see if it fades on its own.<p> Hugs,<br> Tracy
   — Tracydarlin

August 31, 2004
DO NOT USE VIT E. Do some research on the net, that is the worst thing you can do.
   — Gail O.

August 31, 2004
ive been helping people with their skin for 15 years. the only thing that will help is vit A and C. Vit A is sometimes under the name retinol or retin-A. they are the only one that can absorb to the underlaying tissue and heal from the inside out. the rest of the creams and oils people have mentioned only lubricate the top of the skins surface.
   — franbvan

August 31, 2004
My plastic surgeon told me 2 weeks ago to use cocoa butter and Massage the incision. I got the impression the massage was just as important as the cream.
   — Connie M.

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