This week, I'm going to talk about scars and what products really work to reduce, flatten and fade them. (Note: I work at LSUS in the Rehabilitation Services department. My boss is a PT who specializes in burns and we also have Wound Care. The products that I'm talking about are proven and used on our hospital patients for their scars and burns.)
What is a scar? A scar is you body's natural way of repairing a wound. The difference between normal tissue and scar tissue is simply the fiber composition of the protein. The proteins themselves are the same (collagen). Some animals actually regenerate the exact same tissue as the original tissue, thereby growing back parts of their bodies, so they do not scar at all.
I just recently (4 weeks ago) obtained a scar for which I cannot hide in a baithing suit. Not a big deal, but I was talking to my boss and she asked me why I didn't just use some Topi-Gel that we carry in our department. I order the stuff, but never knew what it was or what it was used for. This opened up a whole new topic of research for me and I immediately googled what it was. She gave me a sheet of it and told me that it would help keep it flat, reduce the redness and fade it.
What I learned: Products like Topi-Gel (and Mepi-form) are silicone gel sheets. You cut a large enough piece to just cover the scar. It is clear and sticky on one side (the side that goes on your scar). The silicone gel keeps the would hydrated and promotes cell turnover. There are over-the-counter products that work well but they mostly come in tubes of silicone gel that you rub on it. The key is to keep the scar tissue hydrated. It's the oxygen radicals in the air that impede healing and encourage the production of collagen production, which in this case, creates the scar.
Quick Facts:
Oxygen and UV rays are counter-productive for the healing of scars.
Scars should be massaged when they're new to break up the fibrous tissue.
Other treatments for scars are steroid injectioins and surgical removal (of keloid type scars).
Aloe vera gel is also good, but not as effective.
Cons: The process is very gradual. Placing the gel patches on your body every day is inconvenient and often times, patients quit doing it before the final results are achieved.
So, I have been wearing the silicone patches every day for two weeks and will continue to wear them for as long as I can. I plan to wear them for several months. In addition to the Topi-Gel, I'm also using Retin-A to promote cell turnover. My little incision scars are still pink, but they're fading. I'm not prone to keloid scars, but they're not raised at all.
Check out the URLs below to read about scars and silcone sheets for yourself.
Ciao!
http://www.ehow.com/about_5576981_scar-reduction-silicone.html
https://www.ncmedical.com/item_1151.html
http://scar-treatments-center.org/?&s_kwcid=TC-23083-4902059906-be-436482375
I am so about aloe vera anything. When I lived in Baton Rouge, I used to make my own shampoo and that was one of the products used. I took a big cactus leaf and cut all the spikes off, skinned aloe vera, chopped up lemons and then smushed it in a big bucket. After that I strained it into a bottle. I used regular shampoo but ever once in awhile I used my special shampoo to help promote hair growth and healthiness. Plus it was great on my scalp because I am prone to dry, itchy scalp. I tried to grow an aloe vera plant but my green thumb was broken and I killed it lol. My aunt drinks aloe vera and uses it for everything. Shes like a walking ad for aloe vera and all its uses.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Danielle! (Big Smiles)
DeleteAloe vera is very useful! If you're into things for hair. Look up Biotin. It's known as vitamin H and it's a B-vitamin. It's great for hair, skin and nails....as well as carb, fat and protein metabolism. Helps to make hair and nails less brittle. I love that you made your own hair mask...too cool!
I see scars as badges!
ReplyDeleteK. Smith
Engl 226-87
You're right, Ms. Smith...me too in many cases. My daughter had open heart surgery when she was two and it's a long scar from high on her chest bone almost down to her belly button. It's a very special reminder of how blessed she is. She just recently posted on facebook that it reminds her of how loved she is. I agree.
DeleteAs far as badges go...I have too many of them. Ha! I'm a good cook, but I burn myself all the time...especially when I bake. I'm starting to look a hot mess :0)