track mark....

[pill_billy]

its been a few weeks since ive IVed... did it for little over a year and only really rotated between the middle and outside vein on one arm... the scars were never what i would consider terrible... ive seen some ppl and theirs are seriouslly fucked up looking... anyways i put neosporin it a couple times a week, usually when i catch myself looking at it, and i know when i was using, that shit would make it look somewhat better within 24hrs but kinda seems like its not doing as much now.... anyone else have any experience with this or suggestions?? i just hate walking around with this billboard on me....

 

[Nuclear_Pharmacist]

As far as remediation, there aren't many options once the scar tissue has formed. There is a compound, hydroquinone, that is available in a topical formulation which reduces the hyperpigmentation associated with the scars. It is not a panacea, it doesn't work overnight (think 4-6 weeks min. for any noticeable results), and it will make the skin that is treated more sensitive to UV, but if you stick with it, it should lighten even very dark scars to some degree. Caucasians are the best candidates for obvious reasons. It's a legend drug (Rx only) in the U.S., but easy to obtain from a GP or dermatologist. The other treatment is by use of laser radiation to selectively vaporize the melanin and usually the melanocytes by using a tuned wavelength equal to that of the light melanin absorbs (so it doesn't target "brown," but rather the photopeaks of melanin, but that's beyond this discussion). Expensive. Either way, scar tissue will remain.

If it isn't too bad, and it's probably worse in your mind than it is to others, then wear t-shirts that are cut lower, or long sleeves that you pull-up. Really, most people are not doing track mark checks, and even if they are, unless yours are recent--i.e. showing puncture marks, bruising, erythema, redness, etc.--then it's not really any of their concern, unless they are a healthcare professional and should know. Scars show where you've been, not where you are. If all else fails, tell them you were a phlebophiliac and liked drawing your own blood, it isn't completely untrue as you watch for flashback right? Now, if your talking keloid-like monsters on your neck, well you may have to just start owning up...

I have my own tracks man...

NP

 

[pill_billy]

Scars show where you've been, not where you are.

thanks for the reply... thankfully im darker then the average white guy lol (italian n hungarian)

 

[maddiemax]

I don't think neosporin helps much with reducing the appearance of scars. I'm currently trying to get rid of many self-harm scars. I would recommend Mederma or gels specifically for scars. Some people like buying coco butter, vitamin creams, but I say spend the extra couple of dollars to buy the stuff that is made for scar reduction. I've been using the hydroquinone actuually. I think it works much faster than any OTC product (it is prescription & kind of expensive - around $70 for a tube). It basically bleaches the skin. It's a very harsh chemical. It made my skin peel off like a sunburn. My skin is red and raw. But the appearance has definitely diminished (not vanished).

Anyway, to recap, neosporin isn't gonna do much. Get a prescription for hydroquinone or get Mederma at a drug store. The other option is laser scar removal (which I am doing currently) but I would exhaust your cream options first.

 

[JustADudeYep]

I'm dealing with this issue as well. I know when it is warm outside again then I dont want my scars and crap visible. I IVed before research and used the same needle many times, which causes bad scars/marks. For now I have been simply using women's cover up makeup. It's the junk they put on their face to cover blemishes and it matches any skin tone rather well. I'm a white pale guy. Put some on and rub it in. I believe they even make waterproof types. Guess that is my plan until I find a better one. I have a buddy tattoo artist and need to ask him if he can do like a 'skin color' tattoo type of thing, altbough that may be rather drastic.