To ask about scar treatments

[Booboo2207]

Posting here for traffic…

Earlier this year, my little girl fell over in the woods and cut her face. It wasn’t especially bad, but as it was her face, we took her to hospital where they glued it together. They said it wasn’t deep so was unlikely to scar. Despite this, we have used various scar creams from very early on, e.g. Mederma, Kelo Cote, Bio oil.

Six months later, it has healed well but it sadly looks as though it will scar. I want to do everything we can to try and reduce it and minimise it as much as possible. I contacted a local dermatologist and enquired about whether they would be able to help, particularly given her young age (2.5). I just kept getting told we’d have to pay for a consultation for £300. With the cost of living crisis skyrocketing our bills, I can’t afford to pay this if I’m just going to be told there’s nothing they can do/ she is too young etc. However, I will find the money if there is anything at all that can be done to help.

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience and can advise on scarring? Are there any other products we should try? If we see a specialist, would they be able to do anything to help?

Thank you in advance

Silicone patches. Some reputable sellers on amazon. You cut to size, stick it on and leave it on for hours, working up to (usually) about 20-22 hours per day, rinsing between uses. For about 3 months usually. So it requires a fair bit of daily input/use.
Recommended to me for my c section scar by a postpartum physio expert (brand used for that one was called Scarban). For me it wasn't about how it looks (because who's going to see it!) but more about good healing in the first handful of layers near the surface. I was also doing a lot of scar massage but that was more because I had adhesions under the surface (it is a pretty major surgery of course).
I believe they sometimes used to be given on the NHS but of course its too expensive for them to have maintained it.

I currently have one on my arm after having a minor lump removed and it scarring pretty badly. Of course scars almost always fade to silvery/white, but the one on my arm is quite wide (slowly eased open after stitches came out) so it's pretty obvious. That surgeon advised definite sun protection for the first year and massage with any skin oil, to help lessen surface scarring and subsurface adhesions

Also, not sure how likely it is a toddler would wear what is basically a thick plaster for most of 3 months....certainly mine wouldn't, hairclips only stay in for about 20 minutes 😂

Thank you. Do you have any in particular you’d recommend? As you say, compliance might be an issue but could try overnight. Would 12 hours a day be enough to make a difference do you think?

Will the scar not get smaller as she grows so could possibly end up with no scar?

I’m hoping that will happen as she’s still so young but I’d just like to do anything I possibly can to minimise it. If it was on another part of her body, I wouldn’t be as bothered but it’s upsetting me so much to think she may have to live with a scar on her face

Surely it will fade as she grows, like most scars?

I say this gently, but is this about how she will feel about the scar (which you can't possibly assume at this age) or how you feel about it, possibly around how it happened?

One thing I would be mindful of is making this 'a thing' - by applying all these oils and creams, you're already making it something.

I speak as someone who has facial scarring, I got my scars when I was very young, no fuss was ever made about it and it's never been an issue for me.

Keep the scar out of any sunlight. Use zinc oxide sunblock during the summer. The scar will deal with the sunlight differently from normal skin and will highlight any difference more obviously

How big is the scar? And where is it?

As in, where in the face?

I used Nourisil Silicone Scar cream when I fell and badly cut the top of my lip (deep, a flap of skin had come away and the skin was raised and bumpy when it initially healed) It worked really well and you can only tell if you look closely now.

I did use the cream for ages (I think you need to give it at least 6 months) morning and evening, but it did work.

DMK beta gel, it is brilliant. You would need to see if there is a clinic near you that does it as I would take her in for a consultation.

Hi, I have had great results with Boots scar gel (serum?) on a very visible scar from an op a few years back. The surgeon advised me to use it once the initial healing had finished. I did use it every day but then forgot and then I couldn’t get hold of it during lockdown. I started using it again this year and the scar has disappeared and I’m “old” I think it works well on younger skin too. My adult child had some scars from SH and they are now flatter and paler.

Thank you very much for the insight into your experience, that is really helpful and a good reminder to not make a big deal of it.

We have done our best to avoid bringing attention to it so far - we just apply the cream in a casual manner, e.g. we often put it on at the same time as suncream over summer or when I’m also applying moisturiser so she’s not aware of the reason behind it.

I completely agree this is about how I feel about it at this stage, as she is completely oblivious at the moment, and I need to make sure I don’t project my feelings onto her. I am just worried how she will feel about it when she is older if it doesn’t fade.