I was just wondering if anyone has had specific success with any scar reducing product for the ND scarring. Not that I'm a vain person, but I am only 39 (as of last Sunday) and I don't even have a tattoo. I have taken care of my skin from a very young age, including sun protection, so I want to make sure I do whatever I can to reduce the scarring resulting from the ND surgery. My job entails me having extended face time with colleagues and management so I want to put my best face forward when I go back (which hopefully will be soon)... Look forward to your suggestions.

Hi Pepper,
It will most likely become less visible over the course of this next year. People cannot even see mine anymore.
I have mentioned having this surgery to people who have not known me, and they are always surprised. I was trying to cover my neck up with a scarf recently, and one of my friends told I did not need to do that as my neck looked great! I did use a prescription radiation cream for several months, but that was mainly to make my skin feel better from the radiation after effects. I bought shea butter online that is pure, does not have additives, and I like that a lot. But I do not think any of those things have contributed to the vanishing of my scar. I had a really good surgeon with a lot of experience which probably helped more than anything.
Anne

Pepper,

Just want to reassure you that it will most likely continue to fade. At first I thought my husband was going to have a nasty scar but as the swelling went down it kept improving so now it is not noticeable since the doctor hid it so well in his natural fold. Even my c-section faded to a very thin almost invisible line so give it time. Glad you are doing so well and hope you'll be back at work soon.

Terri

My doctor recommended Maderma on my scars, but I have so many scars I go through the tubes too quickly! My neck dissection scar healed really well, it is barely visible, but my bigger problem is the scars on my arm and leg (from the free flap surgery). They grafted skin from my upper thigh,and I am not sure if that scar stretched from the location, but it is red, about 1 inch wide and 8 inches long. Does anyone else have scars like this? I may consider having a scar revision surgery eventually. In the meantime, however, I heard there are some good concealers you can buy that can cover scars really well. Has anyone ever used/heard of such a thing? I have researched a couple brands - Dermaflouge and SmartCover, and they both seem to have pretty good reviews, I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried this.

A friend of my mom's mentioned something called ScarGuard but I was wondering if anyone here has had success with anything specific. I'm currently using vitamin E oil and pure Aloe gel...

Pepper

My neck dissection scar started off really prominent. As an old guy, I didn't mind looking like I had survived several bar roon knife fights, so I did not do anything to reduce it.
You will be pleased to know that just as the other posters mentioned, the ND scar has gradually faded on its own into near invisibility. In the interim, the scarf option may work for you.
Charm

I have had my neck opened 4 times, the scar does fade and becomes less noticable....if you want to "cover" it with makeup, get a green concealer and brush that over the length of the scar then use concealer that matches your skin tone over that...works great...I rarely if ever do this anymore because anyone who knows me knows my scar so why bother...

Pepper,
Strangely enough the only good thing about radiation was that it made my scar almost unnoticeable. But my ENT did recommend ScarZone for my neck and for my skin graft. I've been using that in conjunction with a product my boyfriends mom got for me from WalGreens called Bio Oil. Hope that helps!

Miss B