Acceptance of scar

You are not silly - it’s rough.

I had an SCC removed July 2020 and am left with a 2.5cm scar on my left cheek. I am quite appearance orientated (ok . . . I’m vain!) and have had to re educate myself and the way I think about how I look.  
Scars are cool. They are part of life’s experiences - who you are and what you have been through. I wear mine as a badge of honour. I have spent a lot of time staring at my own face and thinking about what my appearance actually means. I wear make up but I don’t cover my scar. (Of course, nobody comments because we are British but hey ho!) 

Links to my Instagram on my bio if you want to see some pics. I spent time looking for pics when I was healing so if it helps . . . 
Good luck with your recovery - both physical and the brain weasels that go with it!

Jules x 

Hi Julie

Thank you for your reply. I have just looked on your Instagram page and your scar has healed beautifully. My scar is about 6cm long. I changed my dressing last night and got really upset (I suppose people may call me vain for being bothered about it but I am really lack self confidence) My husband says it’s a battle wound that I should be proud of but I don’t think I’m in that mindset yet. 

did you put any oils or creams on your scar to help healing? My plastic surgeon suggested E45 then a nurse at my GPS suggested RoseHip oil and then researching on the internet I’ve found loads of suggestions so my mind is blown!

I am sure I will get there with it all and I guess it’s early days yet and everything is so raw xx

Hi Poppy

I used E45 and bio oil. I kept a tube of E45 in the living room so I could massage it when I was watching telly. I don’t think it matters what sort of cream you use - I don’t think any of them have magical properties - but the massage keeps the skin supple. Another thing I did was take a close up pic of my face every day for about 6 weeks (only I looked at them - no one looks great that close up!) so that when I was feeling down, I could flick through them and see the progress. 
The battle would thing is a good way to think about it - you will get there - and also to remember that no one looks at you (not even your husband) as a composite of parts (the way we look at ourselves) but views you as a whole person. The scar then becomes one tiny part that other people cease to notice.

Hope that helps

Jx 

Yes you’re right with your last part! 

I took a photo one week after surgery and again last night and to be honest, I have noticed a difference in just three days so that will definitely help. I wanted to take photos so that I can see the progress as I don’t think it’s always noticeable when you look at it each day. 

Thanks for your message, it has helped me to see things in a different way. X

Hi 

My scars aren't on my chest but I have two on my left arm and one in my left armpit. One arm scar is about 6 inches long, from when I had to have a wide local excision after I was diagnosed with melanoma, while the other one is only about an inch. The biggest scar is now 4 years old and hardly noticeable now. When I first had it I made sure I wore tops that covered it but now I don't bother. I think originally I wanted to cover it because I felt it was unsightly and I didn't want to keep answering questions about what I'd had done.

The one in my armpit, from a sentinel lymph node biopsy, is only really noticeable if I raise my arms above my head but, to be honest, it's hardly noticeable now.

My SCNS (skin cancer nurse specialist) advised me to massage the area with E45 to make the skin supple and also to "teach the skin to feel again". She said that there was no reason to spend a lot of money on expensive lotions as something basic like E45 was just as good. I followed her recommendations and I'm happy with the outcome.

My scars are part of me and a reminder of the time when I dealt with melanoma.

I'm sure your scar will quickly fade and, like me, you'll soon forget about it.

x

Hi

Thanks for your reply. Gosh it sounds like you’ve had it tough. I think I will go with E45 cream then. My friend is a nurse and she said to go with whatever the plastic surgeon advised. I’ll get some and then maybe rub it on in a couple of weeks. Xx

Hi Poppy, I had a melanoma removed on my face (left cheek) In March and its left me with an 8cm scar. I also was meant to a have sentinel lymph node biopsy so they cut my neck and left a 4cm scar. Annoyingly they couldnt even do the biopsy due to complications so that one feels slightly more annoying as nothing was done there! Haha. I totally understand you feeling self conscious, but even after a couple of months I feel a lot better. Like others have said above I use e45 cream, my scar is still a little bit lumpy but thats helped it so much, I rub it quite vigorously for a few minutes before bed :)

Hi Vic

thank you so much for your reply. Sorry to hear about your treatments but I’m glad that  you are starting to feel better. I have started to put bio oil on my scar now twice a day and massage it for about 2minutes. I’ve still got to keep it covered up anyway away from the sun until at least June so when I can’t see it, I don’t think about it. I have up and down days like us all I guess. I’m hoping to seek some advice from a make up artist too once it’s fully healed to see if that will help me feel more comfortable. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. 

Hi Poppy, i hope you don't mind me joining the conversation. I joined the group today and i've just come across this chat. I had MOHS surgery on a BCC in May 2020 and so i've just celebrated my first year of recovery :o). My BCC was on my right cheek and i've also been left with a noticeable scar. I've been using a high concentrate vitamin E scar oil and i've been massaging my scar every evening before bed. Like others i was told not to rush out and buy one of the many expensive creams that are on the market and i've found vitamin E to be really good. I've also discovered a very good camouflage makeup for the body and face. It's by Estee Lauder and it also has an SPF in it as well. I really like it and it just gives you that bit of confidence when facing the outside world. It might take a couple of attempts to get used to using the right amount as you don't need to use much. I hope this helps and happy healing x