External scars

[wantnewlife]

Hi All,
I am 4.6 months post-op. I have been using silicon gel.. my skin is getting peeled off if i use silicon gel. scars are still visible. could you suggest some better scar cream?
Thanks,
Karthik.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

The general purpose of silicone on scars is to flatten them -- nothing more.  All scars are permanent and nothing will make them totally disappear.  However, a flat scar whose redness fades to white (over time, which may take up to a year or more) is the best one can expect.

Best to speak to your own surgeon about any continued scar treatment.  Sometimes the best idea is to let mother nature take its course -- and above all, be patient.

Dr Jacobs

[Litlriki]

I am also a fan of silicone gel for scar treatment, and as long as they're pink, the silicone gel is useful.  But it only speeds up the rate of maturation of the scar to the point where it is flat and pale--it doesn't eliminate the scar completely, as Dr. Jacobs has explained.  As for how long scars can stay pink...I had a patient whose scars were still pink 2 years after breast reduction (a woman).  I left my job and didn't see her again for about 5 years.  When I saw her at that point, I could barely see the scars, which had been so stubborn. 

Patience!

Rick Silverman

[DrPensler]

I am not certain where the scars are that you are concerned about. Typically the scars would be in the areolar tissue.