Mederma for scars?

[Jessica]

DD has a big scar from surgery and her ortho recommended vitamin E or Mederma. Has anyone used it? Or is there anything else that works well?

[rebekahc]

I thought I had read at one time that Mederma had a nut product in it - not sure it that's still accurate, though. As for Vit E, I think it's often soy derived. For a while I took Vit. E supplements, but I reacted to them. I don't think it was a nut issue - may have been either soy (which I react to rarely) or just my own weirdness.

[GingerPye]

I bought some Mederma for a scar one time --- trying to think what's in it.  All I remember about it is that it smells pretty bad, lol.   My PT told me that massaging it works best.  Breaks up the scar tissue

[Mfamom]

when i looked for this type of cream last year for my ds chin (had stitches), many of them had nut oils including mederma.  I think there was a generic one (cvs maybe) that didn't.  just check the label of course.

[Macabre]

In my experience, it was the CVS brand that had a nut oil--but I thought Mederma didn't.

Yes--be sure to check labels. I didn't expect to see a nut oil there.

[Mfamom]

you're probably right...just did search

[joshsmom]

I "think" I am developing some nut allergies and Mederma made my scar swell up and itch. not sure what it was about it. Have an allergist appr next month.

[hedgehog]

I've always been advised to use vitamin E instead of Mederma.  If I remember correctly, this was more of a "they are equally effective, but one is cheaper" than that vitamin E is any more effective.  But I also read about a study that indicated that the rubbing is really what works, not the substance that is rubbed in. 

[becca]

Yes, rubbing a scar(gently and properly) can release adhesions and help imrove the mobility of the scar tissue.  In the business we call it MFR(myofascial release) and use specific techniques.  But a lubricant with emollients and nutrients can be helpful.  I have long heard of vitamin E, long before mederma existed.  Just from friends, etc... not as a PT. 

[Mfamom]

I thought onion active ingredient in mederma?

[Jessica]

Thanks everyone. I think I will have her rub regular lotion on it for now (we have California Baby everyday lotion right now) and see how that works out. I may look for some vitamin e oil. What about coconut oil? I wonder how that would be.

[paparenttoo]

I have a tube of Mederma Scar Gel. Ingredients: Water (purified), Peg-4, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allium Cepa (Onion) Bulb Extract, Xanthan Gum, Allantoin, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Fragrance.

[joshsmom]

Well that is strange because my scar swelled up and itched like crazy. I have weird skin!