Okay, I’m confused now because I’ve just looked at this:
bio-oil.com/en/product/ingredients
and I can’t see anything that looks like a phyto-oestrogen so I am going to give my BCN a call and ask her to clarify things.
I’m not the only person to be told this by a BCN either:
Has anyone tried using aloe vera straight from the plant? I remember someone being told to put it on their child after severe sunburn and you just break a bit of the plant and put the gel that oozes out, onto the area. I then did the same thing and it was fab. Anyone know if it’s OK to use that if it’s the alcohol in the cream that’s the problem?
Can I ask how long after the op you all started massaging/oiling your scars? I’m having an MX on the 19th and I’d like to get something beforehand to use afterwards.
Did you ask the doctor for the Dermitrix is it called - before the op?
Thanks
Alison
Sorry nymeria I didn’t mean that to sound like I was doubting you. I just meant if I knew what to look out for I could check the ingredients of other things too.
best wishes xxx
Oh no, I didn’t think that at all sallieannie! 
In answer to your question, yes it would be very useful to know exactly what to look for when buying things.
Nymeria x
Hi
Like Lily200 I have used Vitamin E, the oil rather than cream though, as this has no other additives (as far as I recall). You can get this in Boots as capsules (to take) - just pierce them and rub on, or I think Body Shop may still do the pure oil in a small bottle. I used this for my C Section scar years ago and it seemed to do the trick as when I was expecting my second child 2 years later I was asked if I really had had a C section as they could hardly see the scar! I understand that Vitamin E is needed for the body to repair skin tissue so it seems to make sense that this would help.
Nicky
Hello!
Can anyone clarify whether Bio Oil contains oestrogen? Some surgeons and oncologists seem to be against it and others for it. I’ve been bought 3 bottles of the stuff as presents, but don’t want to rub it on my breast scars if there could be some cancer cells lurking that could be fed by the oestrogen. But also don’t want it to go to waste if this is just scaremongering!
Thanks everyone!
x
My BCN told me that one of the ingredients mimics oestrogen (like the phyto-oestrogens in soya) and if you have ER+ cancer it is best to avoid it. I rang a few days ago to ask again only to find that my BCN has retired and the new nurse was still learning the ropes and didn’t want to comment one way or the other.
I wish there was some way to clarify this!
Meanwhile I can report that Boots own brand of scar reduction patches have done a great job on improving the hideously big scar I have from emergency surgery to remove and infected hickman line. The scar is now almost flat and is much less red too.
I have heard that it is the Lavender which mimics oestrogen.
I do aromatherapy and after finding this out am not sure I would use this on clients!!
I did a google search on this and found just one very small study that produced some very lurid headlines.
Hi all, I have been using bio oil on mx scar since June without checking ingredients, will stop using it now as ER positive BC. I’m now a bit worried about effects, so no more Bio oil for me! I’ve just finished chemo and waiting to see BC surgeon for ANC surgery. Then its advise on what to use for radiotherapy! It just gets more complicated by the minute!
I am constantly amazed at all the stuff we need to be aware of whether it’s food or skin treatments. I wish there was more advice on it all because it’s so hard to work out what you should genuinely avoid and what is over-hyped as dangerous!
The herbals lady at the Haven recommended Comfrey Oil. She knew that I was ER+ and was aware of all the “don’t eat fennel” gumph.
Hi All
I’ve recently had a mx and LD reconstruction which has left me with a really big scar on my back. I have been using dr.organic Scar and Stretch Mark Serum, which is a vitamin E cream and is from Holland and Barrett. It seems to have really helped with the healing and tightness of the scar, at my post op six week appointment the Consultant and BCN were quite impressd at how well the scar had healed. I started using this at about four weeks post op once everything was fully closed up!
Hope this helps.
My local Mc Millan centre at Mount Vernon hospital offer some complementary therapies and I chose aromatherapy massage the therapist used lavender oil ( and others) she knew my dx and hormone status 8/8 er +ve and same for Pr.Don’t think this would have been done if a prob.So much to be careful about isn’t there? Jxx
Same as Smurf 65 - using Dr Organix. Surgeon said to use vit E and aloe vera.It contains both.
Blessing