Medicine to Prevent Scarring

Updated on August 28, 2017
J.S. asks from Clayton, NC
33 answers

My son, 7, is on the pool's swim team. He was practicing a flip turn, and hit his head on the wall of the pool. It was a nasty scrape, but nothing a mom would rush to the hospital about. I put an actibacterial on it, and kept it clean. When we got home, I put on some "2nd Skin". It's a product to use instead of bandaids because I knew he'd be in the water.

Now, I want to prevent scarring. My son is mixed race, so he is more prone to scarring, so if anyone out there knows of something that will work (or not work) I'd sure appreciate it.

Thx.

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So What Happened?

I used the Mederma with spf and it was wonderful! No scarring. Thanks for all the responses.

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J.Q.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi J.,
When I was a teenager I had some systic pimples on my face and picked at them leaving me with some scars. Years later someone reccomended applying lavender oil to them so I did. I feel that it worked wonders!!! I'm now 30 and you'd never know I had this problem by looking at my face. It is slow to work, so if you try it don't give up hope. To this day I still use it to prevent/fade scarring.
Good Luck!
J.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.T.

answers from Jacksonville on

Massage back and forth across the scar vigorously for 1 to 3 minutes every day. This will help break down the scar tissue and make the scar smaller and less noticable plus stop more scar tissue from growing.
K.

1 mom found this helpful

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W.M.

answers from Louisville on

Collidal silver will help eliminate the scar. You can get it at any health food store. Below is a site for more info on it. I use it on my girls and my dogs. I swear by it for natural antibiotic and scarring. Vitamin E as well. I have used both for my daughters scar on her chest from open heart surgery.
http://www.all-natural.com/silver-1.html
Blessings to you.
W. from Indiana

2 moms found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from Nashville on

Hey J., I'm a pharmacist and recommend Arbonne Intelligence Rejuvenating Cream...it is exceptional for minimizing scars...great for pregnant women for the same reason. I've seen it reduce a huge cut on my friend's foot. It is used by plastic surgeons as soon as the day after surgery...I sell these products and have a 20% discount for Mamasource members. email me at ____@____.com to help! T. Bennett

1 mom found this helpful
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E.V.

answers from Asheville on

If you want better and faster healing, and reduction in scaring I use and recommend therapeutic grade Lavender essential oil. I have used essential oils for everything for the past 20 years and I happen to sell therapeutic grade essential oils.

Since only 2% of the essential oils distilled in the world are of therapeutic quality I ONLY recommend the Young Living brand. You are not likely to find therapeutic grade essential oils at a health food store.

My website is: https://www.youngliving.org/theveryessence

For you, or others, looking for truly natural ways to treat different problems without toxins or chemicals, you might be interested in taking a look at my essential oil blog to learn more: http://Aromatherapy4ublog.com

You can mix the Lavender essential oil with vitamin E or Aloe if you like, though we use it straight.

Please contact me if you have questions.

CAUTION: 98% essential oils are not therapeutic grade and adulterated oils can create problems and/or not show much if any benefit. I cannot stress highly enough not to use poor quality, cheap essential oils. If the label does not have the word "AFNOR" on it do not apply the oil topically or in a diffuser or use internally. The word "pure" on the label does not mean a thing, and does not qualify the quality - "AFNOR" does.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Raleigh on

When I had a bad burn a few years ago on my leg, the doctor recommended I buy vitamin E pills (just over-the-counter drugstore brand) and break open the capsules and put the liquid on the skin (this was after the actual wound was essentially healed). The burn was about 5 inches long by about 4 inches wide, and the scar is nearly invisible now. The other thing I did is make sure I put 50 sunblock on the scar whenever I was in the sun, because scars are more prone to burning, which will also make the scar more prominent.

I would certainly ask your pediatrician, since it's a different kind of wound, but thought I'd pass on my own experience.

Good luck.
R.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.T.

answers from Raleigh on

My daughter is also mixed race black/white. She is light complected but scars really easy. I have found the best medicine is viatimin E. You can buy the capsules at the pharmacy. Take a needle to puncture the capsule and then squeeze it on the sore before it heals. Keep it moist with the viatimin E and dont let the scab be picked at. Picking at the scab also creates more scaring.

I hope this helps. Good Luck!!!

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N.H.

answers from Charlotte on

Pure Vitamin E is good for reducing scars--you can find it at Walmart (last I checked) in the section with special lotions, etc. near cosmetics. Drugstores often carry it too. It is usually an orangey color, and it is a somewhat sticky, liquid substance (like a thick oil, almost). If you put it on at night the stickiness shouldn't be much of a problem. Pure Aloe Vera gel seems to help too, by giving it extra moisture, and that would be better for daytime, as it absorbs into the skin better. I get Jason's pure aloe vera gel at the local health food store.

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V.M.

answers from Nashville on

www.herbalanswers.com/ Get the Aloe gel. I used it on a 2nd degree burn on my arm and now there is no sign of it.

Val

great for wrinkles, and most other skin conditions.
Val

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E.N.

answers from Charlotte on

Hey J.!
I am a pediatric nurse and my son fell and cut his face at 12 months of age. The doctor that stiched him up gave me some advice I have sworn by for years - SUNSCREEN to the area EVERY SINGLE DAY - RAIN OR SHINE! The new skin takes the effects of the sun differently and that is one of the reasons we scar. I put sunscreen on for 6 months as he suggested and you can not see the scar unless you know to look for it and look very, very closely.

Please try this - it is easy, preventative and works!!!
Best of luck,

E., RN

About me - mother of 12 year old son, 23 year old daughter, Home business owner in Health and Nutritional Company.

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S.J.

answers from Memphis on

Hello,
About 3 years ago I hit the concrete face first and my mom was terrified it was going to scar, but a friend of our told us to use vitamin E tablets. What you need to do is bust the gel formula and apply on the wound. I have no scarring and it only takes about 3 days to heal. Hope this helps and good luck.

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W.M.

answers from Nashville on

My nephew is mixed race and he used Mederma and said it worked pretty good. Good luck!

W.

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R.B.

answers from Raleigh on

Mederma works wonders as well. It's expensive, but I think it's worth it. You can get it everywhere now. It's with the Neosporin.

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P.A.

answers from Raleigh on

I was burned pretty badly a couple of years ago -- and the doctor had me using Mederma ALL THE TIME! 2 years later -- you have to look really hard to even see anything on my arms. I highly recommend Mederma for scarring -- it worked for me!

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S.R.

answers from Charlotte on

Mederma is what my dermatologist recommended and they have kids version too. I have found it at walmart.

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C.

answers from Johnson City on

When my wanna be gymnast took a tumble last yeat in the living room and had to ahve stitches in his chin, I used the CURAD SCAR THERAPY. His scar is under his hin and I was worried that as he grew it might come up his chin,more towards the front of his face, if that makes any sense..... I used the scar therapy for several months and it looks great now... I've heard good things about the MADERMA also. I liked the CURAD becasue I could put it on him at night and he took it off in the morning... It's also a clear bandage... good luck !!
C.

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A.W.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi there. I wanted to let you know about a great scar reducing/prevention product. It's called Mederma. I have had many surgeries in my life and have used Mederma after every surgery. They even now make a Mederma SPF product so that the scar will not turn dark in the sun (if it's a new scar). You can buy it at any drug store or Wal-mart, Target, etc...

Good luck to you. I am glad your son is okay.

Cheers,
A.

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K.W.

answers from Atlanta on

Dermalmd is one of the best scar prevent serum. I noticed a significant difference in my 32 stitches scar that I got. It was very raised but after applying this serum for only a few days, the scar became less raised. I was very impressed!!!

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E.P.

answers from Jacksonville on

I read a few posts that mentioned this but had to add mine just so you know how well it works........pure vitamin E oil. it really is the best!!!

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K.S.

answers from Huntington on

Pure vitamin E oil is great for scar healing or prevention. I had numerous scars from surgical procedures, and now you can't see them. You can get a small bottle that would be more than enough in the vitamin aisle at Wal-Mart.

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R.P.

answers from Charlotte on

My sister is a nurse and recommends Mederma cream. I believe you can buy it OTC. She used it after having several moles removed from her arm and was very pleased with the results.

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L.C.

answers from Nashville on

Keeping the area clean of bacteria and allowing it to remain as dry as possible is best. The bandages used need to be a breathable kind. (Sterile cloth and surgical tape around the edges only, not plastic backed bandaids). The more oxygen the wound can get the better. If he can keep from picking at the scab as it heals his scarring will not be so bad. Once the scab starts to flake a bit try using the Vitamin E or other ointments, but I'd resist till healthy skin begins to form. Too much moisture can encourage bacterial growth and that leads to puffy scars.

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S.D.

answers from Nashville on

Vitamin E oil right out of the tablet works wonders on all kinds of skin...you will be quite surprised....

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V.C.

answers from Wheeling on

The best topical medicine I know of (and I'm almost 51, mom to 4 grown kids) is tea tree oil. It soothes, heals, kills germs and fungus, and does so without damaging tissue (which causes worse scarring). It's not specific to 'scar reduction' as is Mederma, but it's a good all-around topical application -- GREAT for burns, sunburn, cuts, scrapes, bruises, bites and stings, etc. The highest quality of it that you can get is from the Melaleuca company and they have it in the oil form and in a wax-based gel. I carry a disc of Mela-Gel in my purse at all times for whoever I come in contact with who needs it!

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B.M.

answers from Johnson City on

I know when you get a tattoo they say to use A & D ointment on it to minimize scabbing which leads to scarring. I also believe there is a new neosporine on the market to help reduce scars.

Hope that helps!

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J.B.

answers from Knoxville on

Several months ago my 2 year old fell and hit his forehead on the wooden part of my footstool. His skin broke in 3 different directions so it was kind of like a star pattern. Of course it was a trip to the ER for four stitches, but he was a champ through it all. The nurses told me to get some Vitamin E pills and pop them open using a toothpick or pin, then you squeeze a bit of the Vitamin E gel on the wound maybe a few times a day. I can't tell you the scar is completely gone but it is only noticeable in certain light or when he get hot and his fac turns red but the scar doesn't but other than that you can hardly see it. Good Luck Jenny

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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Hi there,
My daughter is 1.5 when she had a burn accident. We used mederma and palmer's cocoa butter SERUM (you want the serum, not the lotion.) You want to put it on when the scar is dried and healed. Fortunately, most of the scar cleared up, but unfortunately a small part of it formed a keloid :( Our pediatrician wasn't expecting that from the nature of the burn, but because of our ethnicity (Polynesian/Asian), we are prone to scarring. I hope you have better luck and that your son is ok!

Best
Marissa

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P.C.

answers from Greensboro on

Vitamin E capsules work well. Just cut it open and rub it on the cut. It keeps it soft so the sore doesn't break back open.

Another thing that I have noticeds that has been working w/ some general scrapes is Epson Salt made into a pasted w/ some liquid soap. Since I have started to do this the minors scratches that I have are becoming less prominent.

The Epson Salts has been a slow process as I have just recently been using it to relieve bug bites and other scratches that I get during the summertime working out in the yard. Instead of just using my Bath & Body Works liquiad soap I make a paste and scrub my body w/ it. It makes your skin so soft and ready for the lotion when the bath is finished.

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R.M.

answers from Chattanooga on

As mentioned before.. vitamin E pills, mederma is good as well, you might want to try some cocoa butter as well.

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A.V.

answers from Knoxville on

Hi
I have tried the Vitamin E capsules also, and they worked fairly well. The best thing I have ever used though, that no one else has mentioned is cocoa butter. I buy a tub of it - started putting it on stretch marks when I was pregnant and they went from dark purple horrible looking things to translucent white within weeks! Luckily, my skin is also very white, esp on my belly. But we have used this on my son's face and ribs (really bad scrapes, not cuts) when he had a skating accident 2 yrs ago and you can hardly notice any scars. I don't know if he will ever be able to grow a mustache on one side, but you can't see much on the skin's surface, and his skin is like mine - fair and shows scars fairly easily when we get ANY sun at all...

Best wishes!
A.

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D.M.

answers from Fayetteville on

I had a friend hit his head in a pool as well. He did get stitches, but he also used mederma and his scar is very light now.

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E.R.

answers from Chattanooga on

We have used Mederma for kids on a laceration my daughter recieved. It seems to work pretty well. It comes out purple but dries clear. The packaging is also purple and white.
Good Luck!

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