IN SEARCH OF: THE MAGICAL VANISHING CREAM!
Jasmine Simone here! Flashback to this past Saturday. I’m standing in front of the full length mirror putting the finishing touches on my party outfit.
JS: “Man!” (examining my new ensemble) “I look good!”
(Enter boyfriend, Eric.)
EA: “Hey baby, nice top.”
JS: “Thanks! I’m excited to bust it out. I just got it.” (JS places dutiful kiss on cheek.)
EA: “Whoa, what’s that? Is that dirt?”
JS: “What? No! I just took a shower for goodness sake.”
EA: “Well there’s something on your chest. Oooo-ooohhhh - duh! Those must be scars from the bug bites you got in Belize.”
JS: “Wait...what?” (JS takes a closer look at her chest.) “No....this can’t be...” (Examines her arms and back now...) “NOOO!!! They’re everywhere!”
EA: “I told you not to scratch so much. You know you scar from every little thing.” (Cue smug smile.)
JS: “Shut up, Poohead!” (Cue withering yet guilty look...in my head I’m thinking “Phew! At least they are flat...almost like discolored freckles really...comfort in the small things. Boo!)
Needless to say, I was an-noyed. Now I love my skin, but every little skin abrasion does show up and it is usually here to stay. I have what they call “keloid-prone skin” (the raised discolored skin tissue.) I have tried many things over the years for scars. Some things have worked better than others but I haven’t found the Holy Grail. And yet some of the worst scars I have had in my life - major burn abrasions on my face from a car accident - have virtually disappeared. This has led me to believe in... miracles really... or a at least some chance for me to be fully scar free one day. Undoubtedly, the best course is to start a regimen when you first get the scar as the fresh tissue is at it’s most pliable and scar hasn’t started to form eyes. Though I do hope to find something that works at any stage on both major keloids or minor discolorations. Below is a list of things I have tried or hope to in the near future.
Vitamin E: Now this is the favorite of the old wives and their tales. And I have to say, from experience, they knew their stuff. This has so far worked extremely well for me. It has not completely vanished my scars but it definitely makes them fade dramatically. It’s relatively inexpensive with no smell and the greasy felling fades quickly. I highly recommend.
Shea Butter: It is commonly noted in guides to scar prevention that the key is to keep the scar tissue moist and well lubricated so that the tissue doesn’t harden which is the final product you see above the skin. Shea butter is very moisturizing and an excellent lubricant. I believe this is one of the main ingredients I think was instrumental in the healing of my facial scars but I think this may be one that is most effective if you begin use at the first appearance of the scar.
Cell Renewal (Exfoliator): I have had great results with these types of products. They are constantly overturning old cells and bringing new healthy ones to the forefront. Now if you’re looking to treat large or several areas of the body this may become expensive, but I really like the body scrubs by Carol’s Daughter. I like the concentrated oils they use that are good for keeping the scar lubricated and your skin glossy and moisturized. For my face I think this, coupled with the Shea Butter, in my face wash by Collective Well Being is the major factor in how well my facial scars healed. Their Oatmeal-Raspberry face wash is mostly organic and has walnut shells for exfoliating and great nourishing butters for lubrication; all their face washes are great really and naturally exfoliate.
Vanishing Cream: I have tried some of these fade creams; mostly the ones geared towards African-Americans with the pretty black girl on the front. None of them have really worked for me that well. I’ve heard they can also cause splotchiness. I know they have some skin lightening creams from Asia but I think they are just supposed to remove melanin from your skin, which in theory has potential, but I’m too scared the side effects might leave me splotchy. Any body try these before?
Serums / Sebums: This is my latest discovery and I’m dying to try them. I’ve used a serum with Aloe Vera that was pretty good with plumping up the skin to make them less noticeable but they didn’t disappear entirely. Apparently one of the most consumer recommended products are scar fade creams with snail serum. Based on all the positive recommendations, this is next on my list to try. Elicina Cream is the most widely touted to have positive results.
To summarize, I’m open to any suggestions and will probably try them all in my quest to find... the perfect scar destroyer.
What, if anything, has worked for your scar woes?
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I've had several moles removed over the years (thanks to growing up in the Florida sun, plus my genetic pre-disposition). For scarring after removal, I've pretty much only used vitamin E oil. My dermatologist told me that Vaseline seems to work just as well and is cheaper, but I was trying to go for a more natural kind of product. The vitamin E oil I've been using lately has a tiny bit of lemon oil added to it, so it smells like citrus. I have no idea if it actually does anything, but my scars are definitely lighter than they used to be. I have no way of knowing how much of that lightening is from the oil versus just natural fading over time, but I like the moisture, softness, and slight citrus smell that I get from the vitamin E. I do like the moisturizing effects of products with shea butter in them, but I don't think I've ever specifically applied shea butter to my scars and noted any difference. It makes sense, though.
i've got quite a few acne scars from the past 2 monthsi usually use aloe vera, but i haven't used it for a while now it stings my skin a little. and i'm going away for a while i'm not sure if i'd be able to bring plants on the plane lol!i've been using collective wellbeing cleanser, it's soooo smooth.. i'm yet to see the results. i ought to get some vanishing cream.. or serums..
My new Ebay Store: cossiepieMy blog: http://lazyscorner.blogspot.com/
fade creams were almost completely useless for my acne scars. the only thing that works on me is differin gel. ALOT of my scars disappeared. there r others that are dramatically faded. im happy. i expect to not have to wear any foundation after 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/ashleya1002
Retin A is helpful for scar reduction. I've tried fade creams too to no avail, and I'm really interested in creams from Asia for hyper-pigmentation, but I don't speak enough Korean to get any from the Korean beauty supply shops!
I've never tried to get rid of my scars, and I have a lot of them. I like my scars.
I had the worst scar from a piercing I literally had to saw out with an Exacto knife. It turned into a huge bumpy looking thing right in the center of my clavicles. I refuse to go to the doctor when I don't have health insurance so I used liquid wart remover on it. It totally ate away at the horrible scarred tissue and left it nice and smooth with a barely raised surface. I've also used this on moles that annoy me (I know it's not recommended, but it does work). The freeze off stuff works better but they're kind of awkward to use. I've also used Vitamin E oil on some cuts that scarred pretty bad and they've faded really well too. I'm really glad you mentioned Collective Well Being also. My boyfriend just bought me their Detox Soap with activated charcoal and zinc. The stuff is amazing!!! I use it on every inch of myself and my skin has never looked better!
http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&Third...
I received a third degree burn on my leg whilst motor-biking in Vietnam a few years back. It left a HORRIBLE big, brown mark on my leg that looked like a big brown circular tattoo. I thought it was there to stay forever until I was recommended and began using BioOil. I massaged it in twice daily for a period of around 6 months before it completely disappeared never to return!!! I use it now on old scars I obtained in childhood - my knees are pretty beat up - and now they almost look clear. I can't sing this products' praises enough. The trick is to really massage it in so it gets rid of all traces of scar tissue. : ]
My mum swears by propolis ointment for any kind of wound and from experience I have found this stuff really does help prevent scars and increase your heal time. I haven't used it on existing scars though. That said, I don't scar much at all. I am one of those freaks that never gets sick and heals REALLY quickly...which is odd because my one weakness is that I always burn myself! Only last week I picked up a pot with extremely hot handles and burnt my hand severely. However, after soaking it in water for about 3 hours all I suffered was some minor blisters that never really swelled up. The pain was gone the next day and it isn't going to leave lasting damage. I've also somehow splashed hot oil on my decolletage which looked nasty for quite some time but has left no scar. Soooo I say give the propolis a go and see how it helps you. It is a bit smelly and is BROWN but it really is miracle stuff. :-D
www.kittysdrawings.com
I dont get loads of scars the only problem I have is alot of redness and sometimes i have red dots from were a pimple used to be
http://tinas30dayshred.blogspot.com/
I have heard good things about Bio Oil.
Any suggestions for age spots? Or "over-twenty spots" as my doctor so kindly refers to them! I got a lovely one in my cleavage just before I turned 30...arrrgh. Wound scars are cool, but little weird ones are just annoying. Thanks for the tip on Collective Well Being. Btw, I have often used Vitamin E and Cocoa Butter on freshly healed scrapes, etc. to prevent them from becoming permanent.
A bit of a silly question, but for the vitamin e, which works better: using it as a supplement or applying products with vitamin e on the scar? I have acne scars and would love to try this to see how it works.
Applying it on the scar works the best, but taking it as a supplement helps your overall skin health!You can even use a pill, and break it and use the liquid inside on the scar - if it's pure vitamin E!
Thanks for the reply Solero! (:
I'm trying to get rid of scar on my legs from picking at ingrowns. Fade creams have done nothing and I'm using vitamin E oil and really hoping it'll help.
I have acne scars on my face. It takes forever to clear them. I'm using the medication from my dermotologist. The scars are a little not so obvious now but still everyone can see them if I don't conceal.
Fade creams almost never work. I'm trying to find something that does!
I've used vitamin E capsules, just poke a hole in the top of the gel-cap with a sterilized needle and squeeze out the oil. Make sure you rub it in really well. Products containing vitamin e oil don't have enough potent content to do anything at all. I have also used Vitamin A oil in the same way, and actually, now that I think of it, that worked even better. I get a lot of nasty shaving scars, I'm pretty reckless with the razor.
just like everyone else said vitamin E works really well. I need to start using it on my face again because i have cystic acne scars on my face but i'm afraid of breaking out some more because my skin is already really oily. It works pretty good. I've also heard of putting egg whites, and lemon juice on your face to lighten scars. I've tried it a few times. seems like it helped. need to do it some more.lol
I have never used anything to rid of my scars but was always told vitaminE is the best.
Please stay away from the fading creams! They usually contain Hydroquinone, which is techqnically okay to use for no longer than 3 months. This ingredient has been linked to cancer, so if you use it continually it can be dangerous. Also if you do use it you HAVE to use sunscreen! Also, Retin A may give you some results, but you shouldn't use any other exfoliants with it at all. You will over strip your skin and you need to stay away from waxing on the area you use it on. (your skin will lift)Same thing, you need to use sunscreen because your skin thins and you are more suseptable to sun damage which will give you sun spots. I have many clients who come in for acne scarring, or pigmintation issues (I'm an esthetician) and I highly recommend glycolic or lactic peel treatments. I would stay away from the dermatoligist & or plastic surgen peel strengths, unless you have the down time of at least 2 weeks to spare. (you're skin will peel like a snake and plus it burns like hell,they don't tell you that!) Many spas and skin therapists offer glycolics,THA,Jessner & lactic peel in a series of treatments, usually 6 that are much less intense with immediate results of smoother texture, overall tone and glowiing skin. The treatments can be given once a month. I also have had many clients who have tried laser to remove scars. Laser feels like rubber bands snaping against your skin and is pretty painful. They are immediate results, but about 90% of the time within 4 months, the pigmintation always comes back. It is very expensive and most of the time the doctors always try to push other treatments on you. Also, it gives you that shiny, plasticy skin look. (I used to work with a plastic surgeon) If any of you are concerned w/scars and pigmintation one of the best things you can do all the time, and I can't stress this enough, is to wear your sunscreen!! The scar tissue already has damaged melinocites (the dark pigmintation) and will continue to darken and look splotchy if you don't have sun protection on. Even on a cloudy, overcast day you can and will get sun damage, which of course makes it worse. A combination of gentle peel series, with your vitamin E and or peptide serums and of course sunscreen are for sure the best and safest way to diminish scarring.
ooh how do you get vitamin E? I need creams to help with my scar too.
Right now I'm just using retin-a on my face, I have some really weird scar action above my lip where I had a mole removed, it's a concave whitish scar, really bizarre! I'd love to diminish it's look, perhaps I'll have to start piercing my vit e caps and using that....great idea!
I have used Bio Oil, it was great and it didn't cause me to break out in eczema either which is always good :-)
I have not found anything to work for my scars yet. I tried vitamin E before but it did not work for me. I am now trying out a vitamin C serum which is supposed to help lighten scars after sometime. No visible effect yet.
i agree that though ppl say vitamin E is an old wive's tale, it has seemed to do at least some work for me!
Some good and not so advice here! I'd only add that one should truly consult someone who is well-versed in ALL types of skn care on ALL types of skin prior to attempting anything drastic? Gentle,slow,and non-invasive will mre than likely provide the "best" results!As you age,even the signs of certain procedures DO show up as your skin becomes thinner so you do need to consider the long-term effects of any products and procedures too...the number one "thing" is to stay out of the sun or at least to keep any problem areas covered with a great sunscreen and/or clothing.I'm with danigirlygirl all the way...
I had used Mederma before on stretch markes from growing, and that worked pretty well. There are still there on my inner thighs but almost silvery now so you can hardly see them.
What works for me is tea tree oil and masks!
well all i have is acne scars, and any home-made product with honey is said to reduce redness/scarring.
Have you tried bio oil-it works really well for all sort's of scars if you keep applying it over time,it sinks in really fast and you can get it in any pharmacy.I've also heard a lot of good things about a product called cica scar-it's a gel patch you apply over the scar to flatten a raised scar-any pharmacy sound be able to order it for you.
PotionPrincess♥
I am in the same case as girlwith2eyes!I have acne scars on my face. It takes long time to disappear. To hide them I put foundation.And now I have a foot scar due to an operation So I think this product may be a good solution.
Have you tried bio oil? I have used it myself on my face (acne scars), which didn't really work because it gave me more acne, lol, but I have heard really fantastic things about it for scarring and stretch marks. My father used it after major major surgery (they messed up and had to go back in several times) and it really helped heal his scarring and make it less itchy/raised/red.I think with all scarring the key is to start treatment when the scar is still red, because then it has a blood supply running through it, when it is white it has no blood supply, and apparently there is not that much you can do.Also, exfoliation and microdermabrasion can help, but I am not sure if that might make keloid scars worse... I had a friend in school who got the worst raised angry red keloid scars from everything, it is awful :(Good luck :)Lily
Lily - Mineral makeup Junkie!!!
I tend to use Neosporin for scars but I wish I had something better...
I've never tried anything for scars, but this is really interesting!
I use shea butter, cocoa butter, and/or vit e. I love all three and have had good results with them. Great feature!!
I've used this cocoa butter products specialized for stretch marks, they're faded, but they're still there. I'd love to try this though. I had a baby almost two years ago and they're still visible. I wonder how celebrities who've had babies show absolutely NO signs of ever having even one kid! Britney Spears is an amazing example! I still have a little bit of baby fat left, but it's not alot. The stretch marks cease to bother me though.
Krysta<3
I love vitamin E cream in general. 8D
vitamin E has worked the best for me in the past
I think Mario Badescu makes a vanishing cream, though I havent tried it so I cant comment on how effective it is. Their other skincare products work fantastically though :D
I don't seem to scar very easily but i take a long time to heal. Especially on my face. I had a few spots on my cheeks just before xmas that left red marks for AGES!! eventually i used GOWs neem (not dream) cream on them which is a spot treatment even though they were no longer spots. and the red marks i had been hoping would clear up for a few weeks disappeared overnight! a miracle!! :)
I don't have any scars but my husbad has and he is using DR Blaines scar care treatment and its working pretty good.
I have keloid-prone skin too! even a small paper cut will turn into a horrible keloid. Prevention works better for me -- say I have a cut, I must apply vitamin E oil to the cut religionly and by the time the wound heals, I won't get an ugly scar. But not all Vit E are equal. it has to be a certain IU --- so your skin absorbs it better. Pity I can't remember the IU number as the brand I used to buy was discontinued. Lately, I find using rosehip oil has nearly the same effect and it work well in reducing (not eliminating) scars on my face. I've heard that Rosehip oil works for reducing stretch marks too although I've not put it to test... Manuka honey also works for me in hastening healing and reducing scarring... Another product that worked: Silk Naturals' Super Serum, which is by far the best skin lightening serum I've tried (although it is not marketed as a skin lightening serum). btw, reading the entries before me, I'm kinda sold on Bio Oil... I reckon it's not available in SG, gonna get it next time I join a drugstore spree. thanks!
I haven't used any of the above mentioned. Thanks for all suggestions. I think I will try vitamin E and bio oil.
coconut oil is doing wonders for my stretch marks on my tummy from having my little girl-i rub it on at night and they have faded so much! =)
Vitamin E and Aloe Vera gel have helped me the most with different scars I've had, they fade much quicker then they would have done normally.
Anything with tea tree oil works for scars (for me).
I have scars (and hate them). Keloids, stretch marks, flat ones, raised ones, long ones, short ones, fat ones, thin ones! All from clumsiness and bug bites (and subsequent scratching) and razors and angry kitties. I'm so pale and have these horrible red and brown discolorations most everywhere. Thank you for this informative post! It's well timed since I was just looking in the mirror going "Why can't it stay cold so I can stay covered up for longer?" I won't use Bio-Oil because it has mineral oil in it. I'm going out tomorrow and buying Vitamin E capsules. Exfoliation + shea butter/ vitamin E is hopefully going to be the key. Crossing my fingers!
I have some hyper-pigmentation from past acne and the only thing that seems to fade them is time. I use Benzaclin which my dermatologist prescribed for me, and I don't really break out any more, so I just wait for the pigmentation to go away. I've tried vitamin E oil, but it makes my skin so sticky and gross. I can't stand the feeling, even if I am going to bed.
i have quite a few scars from acne when i was younger as well as old stretch marks and scars from mess ups in experimentsi have found that bio oil works the best for me!