Though I've mentioned this in other posts, my wife and I decided to go for a c-section rather than a natural birth. There's a concern of having a scar on the lower abdomen. If not managed properly after the surgery and suture removal, keloid scars can cause not only visible changes but also pain, itchiness, a burning sensation, and other discomforts.
👉 Scar Formation - CICA-CARE
Scars typically form during the skin regeneration process on wounded areas. As new cells and blood vessels form, old cells deteriorate and break. Skin damage due to wounds complicates the healing process. As the wound starts healing, the body produces a protein called collagen. In deep wounds, excessive collagen production can cause the scar to become permanently red or raised.
I did extensive research to manage keloid scars effectively and decided on the following two products. I chose them to prevent the scars from worsening.
CICA-CARE and Mepiform
Both products contain silicone gel, which reduces moisture loss from the skin and inhibits collagen proliferation around the scar, thereby preventing excessive cell proliferation. I bought both products thinking that there might be different usage methods at various stages.
👉 Product Name: CICA-CARE
👉 Manufacturer: Smith & Nephew
👉 Advantages: Washable & Reusable
👉 Price: 46,000 won for 2 sheets
The main advantage of CICA-CARE is its reusability after washing. Even the official site suggests this as a tip. Due to this benefit, considering the early post-op period where movement might be uncomfortable due to pain, I believed CICA-CARE would be more suitable. It's recommended to start with 4 hours and gradually increase: 4 hours → 8 hours → 10 hours (+2 hours increase) → 24 hours.
While longer application durations are more effective, it may become tedious over time, especially when overwhelmed with childcare.
That's why I also got Mepiform.
👉 Product Name: Mepiform
👉 Manufacturer: Molnlycke
👉 Advantages: Waterproof & UV Protection
👉 Price: 92,000 won for a set of 5 sheets
Considering the busy routine, I bought this product, which requires less frequent changes. Once applied, it can be worn for 1~2 weeks. Both are silicone gel-based, so I summarized their usage for my wife.
[ Product Purchase ]
I purchased both CICA-CARE and Mepiform via the Qoo10 app. The total cost, after discounts, was 129,390 won. Considering a single CICA-CARE sheet costs around 80,000 won on other shopping sites, this price is a steal. When searching for these products, it's essential to consider size. C-section scars are usually 11-15 cm long. I got CICA-CARE in 12x15 cm and Mepiform in 10x18 cm.
While those opting for natural childbirth might not require these products, since we're going for a C-section, I researched silicone gels and made the purchase after finalizing the birth date. Anyhow, I hope our baby is born healthy. I'll wrap up today's post here.
Recorded on April 3, 2023.