I’ve recently had a right mastectomy with immediate DIEP recon. My hospital recommends Dermatix for the scars but I’d love to know what other products any of you have used and if you’d recommend them.
Hiya,
I know a lot of people who recommend Bio Oil, it is expensive £15 or £8 for a small bottle but it does go a long way and really does work. There was a program on telly a while back where they sampled Bio Oil, Palmers Cocoa Butter (?) and two very expensive products which were all supposed to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Palmers was voted the best and Bio Oil came in second - the expensive products were rubbish apparently. Ive bought Bio Oil but dont intend using it until Ive finished having all my ops next year.
Good luck with whatever you use.
Ju x
Hi I had right mastectomy last Nov and used bio oil as soon as I could and my scar faded quite dramatically over a period of time.
Lilymayx
I was recommned vitiam E oil by my pracitice nurse for my DIEP recon
Love
Carol
I had a bilateral mast. 4 weeks ago (BRCA2) and have just started using bio oil in the hope it will fade my scars before I holiday in 6 weeks.
I have a mastectomy scar that is hyper trophic - this means it has overhealed and is red and raised, as well as sore. I have been using Cica Care silicone tape for two months and there is a big improvement in the apprearance of the scar. I did try Dermatix gel for a few weeks - it is the same ingredient as the tape but applied as a gel. I didn’t see any imporvement with Dermatix so went back to the tape, even though it’s a bit tricky to use. It is slow, but it is working.
I did use Vitamin E oil at first, but wouldn’t do that again in case it encourages the over healing.
Sarah
Sarah, thanks for your post. I was told by my surgeon to use vitamin E oil after my diep on breast and tummy. I too now have hypertrophic scarring and I think the vit e oil makes it worse - a bit more itchy and raised. When I see him in two weeks I’ll mention this and see if he can recommend something else - sometimes I just use plain sweet almond oil. I don’t like bio-oil as it has some chemical nasties in it that I’d rather not use. I’m a bit worried re the hypertrophic scarring as I’m due to have a reduction and lift on the other side soon and I don’t really want another set of scars that won’t heal nicely. I’ll end up looking like a patchwork quilt!
Hi all
I’ve got a hypertrophic under my arm (the scars on my tummy and new breast aren’t). I started on Dermatix and I still use that on the non-keloid scars. But after reading about it on the breastcancer.org forum, I also bought some Neosporin silicone scar sheets over the net (via a UK supplier) for the hypertrophic.
It already seems to me to be making a difference after a week or so - the scar seems flatter and less angry looking. You can keep a patch on for 3-4 days, just taking it off and washing it when you shower - the stickiness still works for that long. It’s about £20 for a 12-week supply of 28 sheets. So far so good anyway - I got rid of a old hypertrophic on my tummy when they did the op and I really don’t want to get stuck with another one if possible.
Jane
Hi,
Went for a check up following LD recon and asked about using Bio Oil. Got the same old - we cant comment on anything not given by the hospital as cant be accountable - but they did suggest using aqueous cream or E45 cream. Ive been using E45 cream for the past week and Im healing very well. Ive got Bio Oil and will go on to use this when its all settled down.
Ju -x-
I am using a simple Arnica cream - bio. It is nice and thick, keeps the skin supple, allow a good massage and Arnica is known for its wound healing power.
Hiya,
Bio Oil I can agree with, but if you have either a QUALITY SAVE store or HOME BARGAIN near to you then |I’d recommend going it’s far far cheaper than in any other chemist.
I haven’t used anything at all except some lovely avocado aromatherapy soap that i use in the shower, just over two months on, well, i am really happy,
Alisonxxx
I’m glad to hear that Palmer’s Cocoa Butter products were given a good recommendation because their lotion is some of the best body lotion I’ve ever used pre-breast cancer. It’s been used by women with black skin for years apparently, but now you can find it everywhere and it’s cheap. It smells of chocolate/vanilla and is just yummy, but you can get it fragrance-free in some shops. I get mine at the supermarket. It’s a brilliant body lotion and is supposed to minimise the appearance of scars. I haven’t got any scars yet, but will be using it when I do get my scars. I’ll use aqueous cream during rads.