Operation Scar-Be-Gone

Doesn’t everybody have a scar or two? My mother found me “shaving like Daddy” in the bathroom when I was three years old. I have an inch-long scar on my chin to remind me of my first and last shave. One of my own children is a picker — every last scabbed-over wound she gets, she picks. Needless to say, her legs look battle-weary from a summer spent back East. “The bug spray worked, Mom, I just forgot to put it on one night when there was a campfire,” she admitted.

“Why don’t you look into some scar remedies,” suggested Nancy during happy hour last week.

“Say no more. Eve to the rescue.” I love having a mission. Call this one Operation Scar-Be-Gone. I started with some intellingence gathering. “To prevent or minimize scarring, keep it bandaged with Neosporin on it until it heals,” said Margaret. “I experimented with that once, covering half of the wound with Neosporin and bandaging all of it. I have a scar from the part I didn’t put Neosporin on and almost no scarring at all on the Neosporin side.”

“Also,” she continued, “aloe vera, fresh. Cut the leaves lengthwise then tape them to the affected area. Leave overnight. Do it for a couple of nights.”

For post-healing scars, Margaret recommended Mederma or ScarRid.

Danielle B. also touted Neosporin. “Neosporin from the first moment,” she answered. “It’s incredible in that it not only prevents infection but also reduces scarring. Then I would try Vitamin E oil, and if that doesn’t work, then silicone sheets. Those silicone sheets worked wonders for me on surgical scars that were recent, less than two years old. I’ve known some people for whom they worked on old scars.”

“Vitamin E oil straight from the capsule,” suggested Madeline. “Pop it with your teeth. It seems to fade the scars more with the oil than without.”

“Frankincense oil. I use it all the time,” explained Danielle Hall, local doTerra distributor. “I use it in a mixture of oils on my face every night. I get compliments on my youthful skin all the time. It is better especially to add a base oil. And adding the oil to a carrier makes it last longer without diminishing results. Organic coconut oil is really good. For a child [adding a base oil] is a must.

“I have used helichrysum oil. It is good also but more expensive than frankincense. The frankincense oil can be purchased as a guest for $93. Or they can sign up and get the wholesale price for $69.75. All doTerra oils go through rigorous testing. They are therapeutic grade.”

“Our son is a burn survivor,” explained Elisa, “and the burn unit gave us triple antibiotic ointment and it worked incredibly. My husband says scars are like tattoos but with better stories,” she continued.

“I am new to coconut oil, but my chiropractor has me using it to help nourish my skin during my weight loss. I put it on after I shower but before I towel dry. I’ve noticed my scars lightening....

“I met a local farmer once who produces Emu Oil and donated it to help burn patients,” she added.

“Bag Balm Vermont’s Original Ointment,” offered Cynthia. “It comes in a square green can and my mom used it for many things. I still use it.”