mederma vs. petroleum jelly for scars

[jeric]

Hi,

At the beginning of March I had surgery to have loop recorder put in for a heart problem, my scar is on the upper part of my breast and bit less than an inch long, after a week I had the bandage removed and immediatly started using mederma on it, the scar looked great after removing the bandage but after about a month it turned very purple and I stopped using the mederma, at least regurlarly. I would only use mederma and sunscreen when going outside.

On June 1st I had surgery to remove the loop recorder and my doctor hoping to lessen the scar cut around the old scar in the hopes that it would heal better this time. I had the bandages removed the 10th of June and my doctor was very happy with the way it looked, but then again last time when he removed the bandages he was happy as well.

I've been reading up on mederma and it seems like there are not really any good studies supporting it's effectiveness and that in fact, simple petroleum jelly may be just as effective if not more.

Also I read that moisture helps with the healing process, should I be putting these creams on and then covering the scar or is that too much? I was raised being told it was better for the scars to be able to 'breathe' to help them heal faster.

Also, I did consider that maybe I had a reaction to the mederma and thats why it turned all purple and angry (it's wasn't just the scar that was purple a but of the skin around the scar was also purple). However I've used mederma before on a larger scar, one that is about 3 inches in length and 1/2 cm in width, this one is about 2 years old and I remember using petroleum jelly a few times about 3 weeks after surgery and then switched to mederma for about 3 months, this scar is now flat, soft, white, and a bit 'wrinkly' I'm not upset by the apperance of this scar, although it is in an area that people usually don't notice, but I don't remember this one turning purple either.

My new scar is high enough on my breast that it is visible with even a modestly low cut top, so I really want the best outcome.


So I am wondering is there a benefit to the petroleum jelly over mederma (cost isn't really an issue right now since I have 2 tubes of mederma already) is one better than the other?

How soon should I begin putting a cream on?

Also, I know there is some stuff out there on vitamin E, but I remember trying that with my old scar and if I remember correctly I hated the smell of the vitamin E and couldn't use it and my skin can be a bit sensitive so I think putting a concentrated vitamin directly on a tender area like a healing scar is not a good idea.

Thanks for any help and advice.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For such type of surgical scars, laser therapy and dermabrasion, alone or in combination have been shown to be effective in diminishing the appearance of the scars. Best treatment is however by plastic surgery. Mederma contains allium cepa, a herbal ingredient and is not very effective for big surgical scars.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Tulasi P, MBBS]

Hi,
Scar is just dead tissue.  your skin turning purple is definitely a reaction to something you have applied. There is no harm in using mederma. Petroleum jelly doesnt help reducing scars. Why don’t you  approach a plastic surgeon to get rid of it, if cost is of no concern?
Have a nice day