Review of scar treatments

1. Kelo-cote silicone gel

First thing I tried. This really didn’t do anything for me, I applied it morning and night for 2 weeks but didn’t see any difference. Its a sticky gel, if you put too much it doesn’t dry and remains sticky. If you put just about enough it still takes really long to dry, and then gets rubbed off on sheets and clothing in the next couple of hours.

Verdict: Did not seem to work. Not worth it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2. Vitamin E oil

I have the vitamin E capsules, I cut them open and smear the oil over my scar. It doesn’t do anything to make the scar look/feel better, but its good for massaging the scar and the area around it. I would use it at night before sleeping. Warning – some people get an allergy/rash when using vitamin E oil, test it on the inside of your elbow first.

Verdict: Messy and sticky. Use for massaging the scar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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3. Bio Oil

It is light and non sticky…. definitely smoother to use than vitamin E. Absorbs quite well. I use this the same way I used the vitamin E, to massage it into the scar and leave it at night. Not sure if it is helping to diminish the scar.

Verdict: Use for massaging the scar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4. ScarAway silicone sheets

I noticed a difference from day one. My scar has become softer and flatter. I have been using this for about 3 weeks now, the colour of the scar has faded from bright red to a darker brown. It is definitely much less raised and the skin is softer to touch. I will update again when I finish the 2 months. They are pretty easy to use – like big band-aids… stick it on for 12 hours or more, remove and wash it with soap and water, let it dry and then wear it again. I like that it covers up the scar while it heals.

Verdict: Expensive, but definitely does more than the other scar creams/gels. Try it out… available on Amazon.

How to remove scabs without leaving scars

If you are a guy, scars are cool. If you are a girl, this post is for you.

After taking my stitches out, I was left with a bunch of scabs around the wound.

Much googling and experimenting later, I have come to the conclusion that this is the best way of removing scabs.

NOTE: this is for old scabs. My scabs were two weeks old and almost ready to come off. Do not pick at new scabs.

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What you need: hot water, cotton, gauze, petroleum jelly, tape for dressing.

STEP 1: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

STEP 2: Ask someone to boil water and give it to you. Put a lid on it so it doesn’t cool.

STEP 3: If you have many scabs, its better to tackle each one separately. Start with the smaller ones first. Dip a small piece of gauze or cotton into the hot water. Press it against the scab (make sure it isn’t so hot that you burn yourself). Continue to wet the cotton if it cools down and hold it against the scab for a total of 2-3 min. This makes the scab and the skin around it soften.

STEP 4: Use gauze to rub around the scab. Rub up and down and left and right. Or place your finger on top of the gauze and twist around in a circular motion. The scab should come off painlessly.

STEP 5: Repeat hot water and rubbing procedure with each new scab. If Its not ready to come off, leave it and and try again the next day.

STEP 6: By now some scabs will have come off, but the bigger, more stubborn ones will still be there. Coat all the scabs liberally in petroleum jelly (the plain non-scented type). Cover with gauze dressing and tape it. Leave it on overnight. This keeps the scab moist.

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Repeat the procedure every day till all the scabs come off. Petroleum jelly at night… hot water soak and scrub in the morning.

I had about 14 scabs and it took me a week to get all off. The biggest one came off last.

Patience, and persistence.