How to get rid of scars?

[Strydus]

Anyone know of a good method to get rid of scars (some sort of cream that might work perhaps)? Following some "unfortunate" unprotected rapière fencing, I'm left with a lovely scar on the wrist people tend to ask annoying questions about...
Obviously, I'd like to get rid of that sort of thing.
Otherwise, anyone have an opinion on the "fencing" in the new matrix (can't really call it fencing, but you get the idea)?

Any input is welcome and appreciated.

[Catal]

http://www.mederma.com/

[Voldune]

Wow....Catal posted actual useful info. I thought it was gonna be a link to a propane torch ad or some such thing.

[Artisan]

Why would you want to get rid of that...its a permanent reminder of a brief bad decision - DON'T DO THAT AGAIN! Too bad its on your wrist though...A nice facial scar from a schlager duel is considered a valourous rite of passage - a mark of courage and distinction.

If you don't like explaining to people, just make a slashing motion to your wrist, roll your eyes and make the crazy sign by twirling your pointed index finger around your ear. They will never bring it up again. And you will have added considerably to your personal mystique.

If its already completely healed - and its been at least one year, only plastic surgery can help. The quality of the scar is directly related to the quality of the sutureing you received. I've heard that on fresh wounds that application of vitamin E can help reduce scaring. It may be too late for that.

-Artisan
(who sports a chin scar from a poorly sutured hockey injury)

[Catal]

Originally posted by Voldune
Wow....Catal posted actual useful info. I thought it was gonna be a link to a propane torch ad or some such thing.

Well, duh. I'm not a pyromaniac.

[Strydus]

"If you don't like explaining to people, just make a slashing motion to your wrist, roll your eyes and make the crazy sign by twirling your pointed index finger around your ear. They will never bring it up again. And you will have added considerably to your personal mystique."

People might think I'm nuts with that trick...
The real story actually seems to hold against most inquieries since it's so uncommon (except when I had it bandaged, talk about getting wierd looks).

Anyhow, does that Mederma stuff really work?
I'm more than willing to try it, but it's been about a month and a half

[Artisan]

Originally posted by Strydus

People might think I'm nuts with that trick...
The real story actually seems to hold against most inquieries since it's so uncommon (except when I had it bandaged, talk about getting wierd looks).

thats the point!

Anyhow, does that Mederma stuff really work?
I'm more than willing to try it, but it's been about a month and a half

Dunno...but the active ingredient appears to be ONION.

[Strydus]

"thats the point!"

It's hard enough to appear sane when you walk accross campus with a freaking rapier at 10pm, last thing I need is to seem suicidal...

By the way, what's the deal with the onion? Any idea what that does?

[Artisan]

Onion is supposed to have some healing properties - according to some folk medicine wisdom, as does garlic and many other common herbs. Also helps to ward off vampires as well.

[Catal]

Mederma isn't an herbal remedy (onion aside), it is a highly effective drug. Ask a dermatologist, it has amazing qualities and they're not limited to scars. Women use it for stretch-marks after pregnancy. And, I have a friend that used it for acne, and I swear, the day after he initially tried it he looked totally different. It's really a great drug, of course, it's also expensive and not usually given as a first treatment. From what I understand, you get it if nothing else works. I think it's just a way to get money from patients, but what are you gonna do? The only other thing that comes to mind, which is available OTC, is RetinA. I've used it for cooking burns, and after a month or so, once the redness has subsided, it's like you have a brand new patch of skin. RetinA causes a somewhat disturbing bright redness as you're using it, but that's normal and it goes away once you stop using it. There are a lot of options, but it's best if you see a dermatologist instead of talking to us.

[Louweasel]

In the UK you can get silicon gel patches which you stick over the scar for long periods and which over time reduce the scar. They aren't on prescription here; you get them in a normal chemist, cut to size and stick on with a plaster or some surgical tape. You can probably get them in your neck of the woods as well, and I hear they are v good.

[corinna2u]

Home Health Scargo Massage Lotion:

"Scargo is a formulation designed to be massaged into scar tissue to promote healing, soothe irritation, soften skin, and improve skin’s appearance.

Instructions: Massage Scargo, not more than 3 or 4 times daily, into and around the scar area until completely absorbed. Be persistent and consistent. A scar is not necessarily the end point in the healing process.

Additional Info: Scar massage skin lotion. Scargo is an all-natural blend of soothing and moisturizing oils combined with stimulating camphor gum. Formulated specifically for massage into scar tissue, this emollient helps to return the naturally soft look and feel of your skin. At Home Health, years of research have gone into creating truly effective personal care products based on traditional, natural ingredients. Our proven formulas combine the best of nature and science to deliver the results you want for yourself and your family. You can rely on Home Health to deliver the natural health and healing your family deserves. All natural ingredients. Formulated for massage into scar tissue. Helps return skin's natural soft look and feel.

Ingredients: Olive Oil, Peanut Oil, Lanolin, Camphor, Yellow Beeswax"

Usually around $9.

The Mederma website states that there isn't anything that really gets rid of scars...I have found that is not true...Scargo will IF applied regularly and you have patience. Never used Mederma...but then why would I, since I know Scargo works...

[Catal]

Herbal medicines can be useful, but in this case...

*Statements on this website have not necessarily been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. No product herein is intended to diagnose or cure disease.


That sums it up nicely. There is no legal verification proving that "Scargo" is a valid treatment for scarring, and not even a single link to a claim by anyone that Scargo has any effect at all.

I use herbal/natural medicines, but this...? Uh, uh. Avoid.

[Capt. Slo-mo]

Originally posted by Voldune
Wow....Catal posted actual useful info. I thought it was gonna be a link to a propane torch ad or some such thing.

Yeah, but what she failed to mention is that the mederma patch is applied, then a propane torch is used to fuse it to your skin. Read the fine print in the instructions.

Also, you want to keep some sunscreen on the scar while it's healing. If it gets too much sun and turns purple, it's permanent, barring plastic/laser surgery.

[Strydus]

From what it seems, my best bet currently is to use that Mederma suff, although I'll a doctor next time I get by to one. The herbal thing seems a tad random as a solution, so I'll have to see about that.
Either way, I won't be using pyrotechnics.

Does one have to get a prescription for that by any chance?

[npkeith]

The silicone rubber patches are your best bet. Spenco makes one (the "scar management kit") and Curad makes one too (I forget the name). They sell them in the first aid section of my local Rite-Aid, so I'm pretty sure you can get them anywhere. I work in a surgical specialty, and that is what the plastic surgeons recommend.
2 things about them - 1 - they don't remove scars, only minimise them. (You can't really remove scars, only make them smaller - if you cut it out, you get another scar from that sugery)
and 2- it takes months (and I mean 6+) of wearing a patch for close to 24 hours a day (luckily they are reusable) - you wear it all day and all night, take it off when you shower, wash and dry the patch, and stick it back on.

[hawaii kid]

Well, since by definition it's a virus there's not much you can do by way of a vaccine for it. Generally you can try to isolate it and prevent it's spread by some type of quarantine, and then try to treat the symptoms. I read some research the other day that suggested that some viruses were being considered alternate life forms that actually were seeking a sybiotic relatio......

Oooops!

Wait a minute.


You said SCARS .............



sorry

I thought this was another SARS topic.

(must read entire post )

[npkeith]

Hawaii Kid -
we have plenty of vaccines for viruses - polio, smallpox, hepatitis A and B, chickenpox. Its the ones that change like Rhinovirus (the common cold) and influenza that cause problems.

[Catal]

Originally posted by Strydus
Does one have to get a prescription for that by any chance?

Yes, you'll need a prescription.

[hawaii kid]

sorry my attempt at humor was so difficult to discern...