What to use after surgery for scar?

[Ax1993]

Hey all, I bought this scar gel called Kelo Cote to use on a scar on my lip after stitches. It says not to rub in but place on top of scar, my surgeon said the beneficial thing is to massage a scar when putting something on it. Should I just massage the gel into the scar instead of just placing it on top of it? Will it make much of a difference do you think? Has anyone used this for a scar? Thanks.

Massage the scar with coconut oil then use kelocote as per instructions

Would massaging Kelo cote in to the scar be harmful or not? Would it still work?

It's not supposed to be massaged in. Massage it as the pp said before you put it on. Use the silicone gel as directed - which is to place on top of the scar.

Buy vitamin E capsules, pierce with a needle and squeeze out the liquid and massage it in. I was assaulted as a teenager and used this on my scar, there was a lot of scar tissue in my upper lip but over the years it has dissolved. I still hate having my passport picture taken as my lip is asymmetrical but that’s life.

I haven't got a clue but if it says to not massage it in... Then I probably wouldn't massage it in. It's unlikely to work if they have specifically instructed users not to

Do these scar gels make any difference do you think? Should I just leave it be and not use anything?

It doesnt really massage in even if you try, it would go tacky and drag the skin. Its designed to use an incredibly tiny amount each day which dries quickly to a thin film. It takes a few days before you feel the film is even there (unless you put too much on in which case it takes forever to dry).

I’ve used it more than once and think it’s great.

Did you massage the scar before with anything or did you just use the Kelo cote by itself?

They make a massive difference. You either use the scar gel as directed, or you rely on massage. I would use the scar gel. You are supposed to apply it to the clean dry scar - not over some massage oil.

Vaseline

All the surgeons I know recommend a Vit e capsule, pierce it and rub that over scar.

In terms of the massage it doesn't matter what the oil is according to the plastic surgeon who repaired a huge wound under my son's chin. It was the massage not the oil that was important. I think I used olive oil though I'm a bit hazy now as it was a long time ago now This was to soften and flatten the scar. You should probably do the massage and then clean off the skin very thoroughly to get all the oil off before you put the silicone on. The silicone is meant to form a layer over the scar to further flatten it. It's not massaged in. My son was left with only a very faint line if you know where to look in very strong light. He didn't need any scar gel. I think it's well worth doing everything you can now though to improve a scar. Silicone patches never worked for me personally for a hypertrophic scar and I had steroid injections by a dermatologist to flatten the scar which worked quite well

Ok, I was going to use Vaseline and massage it in before the scar gel and then put the scar gel over. Do you think I should just use the scar gel by itself instead then?

I think you mess up the "chemistry" by rubbing it In its supposed to make a film. use something else let it dry then put the scar gel in top.

Oh my god! Read the directions! The silicone gel goes over the cleaned dry scar.

The manufacturer's instruction say "Apply to clean dry skin".

On its own as per the instructions! I started a few days post op once the skin was sealed.
Then started to massage the scar from a month or two post op. Scar massage isn’t like a soothing spa massage - you generally don’t need oil etc as you usually aren’t looking to swoosh your fingers across the skin. You put your fingers gently and firmly on the skin and you use them to move the top layer of skin backwards and forwards above the layers of fat etc that are underneath the skin. The aim is to stop there being really tight adhesions between the different layers beneath the skin.

Oh for fuck sake.

There is an evidence base - peer reviewed scientific evidence - that silicone gel applied in accordance with the directions on the box reduces scarring.

Why would you disregard that to follow shit "advice" from random internet strangers?

Do what it says on the box. Don't fuck about with vaseline and dissecting vitamin E capsules.

The risk of adhesions (internal scarring) is a separate matter from op's question about preventing hypertrophic or keloid scars (external scarring) using silicone gel.

Admittedly it's a mastectomy scar but I was told to keep it uncovered and air it as much as possible. I asked about scar 'healing' ointments and was told no, just leave it alone, eat lots of protein and it will fade with time. It really has.

Use the product as directed to on the box, the instructions will be based on some form of testing so if it says not to massage don’t massage!