Vitamin E oil combined with silicone sheets for scars. Any tips?

Scars will improve over the course of a year.  There is no one best therapy for scars. Silicone sheets, Mederma, and Biocorneum are reasonable and popular options. I recommend that the scar therapy begin after the scars have healed and there are no open areas, which usually takes 4 to 6 weeks. 
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Hello and congratulations on your surgery!  Looks like you have a nice result already.  There are methods to minimize scarring and there are ways to improve the appearance of scars.  My preference is to start silicone scar therapy within a month or so from surgery and continue to do this daily for approximately 3 months.  Either the silicone sheets or topical serum or cream is acceptable.  Massage, moisturization, and sun avoidance all can help improve the… SHOW MORE appearance of scars.  Most scars go through a phase of healing where it is normal to be red or dark in color, and this improves over the first 1-2 years following surgery.  Once an incision has been made all the way through the layers of skin, there will be a scar in that area.  It is not possible to completely remove a scar, but the scars often blend in with the surrounding skin and are located in areas that are hidden.  Best of luck!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

Dear twinmom_14, Thank you for your question. Thank you for your question. In my practice, we typically suggest that our patients begin scar treatment around weeks 6-8 as long as everything is closed. Although both scar gel and silicone sheeting strips can be used, most of our patients prefer the silicone sheeting alone. It is also important to remember to be patient about the final result, as it can take up to 6-12 months to heal. However, scar treatment protocols differ per surgeon. I suggest following your operating surgeons specific recommendation. Best of luck to you

There is no scientific evidence that vitamin E improves scarring.   In fact, there are several studies in the plastic surgery literature that demonstrate that topical vitamin E can have adverse dermatological effects.   I have seen this in my practice where some patients have used topical vitamin E against my recommendation based on what they have read on the internet.  I don’t advise anyone to go against their surgeon’s recommendations, as long as the surgeon is a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon.  However, it is reasonable to have a discussion with him or her about the scientific basis for the recommendation. There is clinical evidence that silicone and silicone sheets can improve scarring. Best wishes.

Dear twinmom_14,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I recommend my patients to start using Biocorneum gel after week 6. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

There are a lot of good options for scar therapy. I think it is important to continue the therapy for at least 3 months. I recommend to my patients Biocorneum (a silicone gel product) or a silicone backed tape (ScarAway). Even just plain paper tape works well. When using any of the tape prducts it is important to keep them on 24/7 and can be changed every 5-7 days. These therapies work primarily because of hydration and continuous micropressure onto the scar. I don't think that topical Vitamin E or Cocoa Butter work except on the face where almost anything will work.

I tell my patients that it takes up to 6 months for scars to mature and sometimes longer. You can also massage the scar with your fingers from the soft area to the hard as well as using scar gel. The scar can be diminished with some micro-needling but will take quite a few sessions and needs to be done around 6 months post op. Just be sure to contact your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon. Best of luck

Hi. That is the way to use both, silicone sheets during the day and Vitamin E oil by night. Try not to combine both at any moment because Vitamin E Oil wil damage the silicon sheet.International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Member of the International Confederation of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS)

Thanks for the question.  Silicone sheets for a tummy tuck scar to start 2 weeks after surgery and continue for 2 months after surgery is my treatment of choice.  Using the Vitamin E oil in addition to the sheets may pose a problem in terms of preventing the sheets from sticking to the incision site. 

Your combination therapy is fine.  There are many different options to help reduce scars.  The silicone sheeting is probably the best choice, but you will need to be compliant and continue using it until the scar fades.Good Luck!