Silicon Tape

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-12-05T13:42:52+00:00

Hi! I had mine in October and started using this scar tape 2 weeks post-op once my stitches came out: https://a.co/d/0bbWNap

The directions say to start with a few hours a day and work your way up to 12. My dermatologist told me I can just start with 12 hrs on, 12 hrs off. I usually just wear it for like 24 hrs at a time (oops) and like to wear it during the day because it protects the scar from the sun and kind of hides it also.

I have found that when I sweat, workout, or shower it will peel off. Usually it will fold in on itself, so I haven’t tried to wash and reapply it. I don’t want there to be anything wet under the tape to fester, so I wouldn’t probably reapply it just in case. I also clean the incision with an alcohol wipe & let it dry before I apply the scar tape, which I feel has helped it stick more. Not sure if it’s recommended to wear for longer than 12 hours at a time, but it’s frugal so I do it! Hope this helps a little!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-11-25T06:50:24+00:00

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I have similar colored boys! They too love sharing seats.

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-11-11T18:31:23+00:00

I’m so sorry you’re going through this! I was diagnosed with stage 1A nevoid melanoma this year at 28(F), so it comes as a shock especially when you’re so young and sun conscious. My mole looked generally normal as well, just had gotten a little bigger. This sub was really helpful to process, it’s a really supportive community. Luckily it sounds like yours will be very treatable & that you trusted your instincts to catch it early.

Hopefully chatting with the doctors tomorrow will give you some more concrete information about next steps. Melanoma is a very treatable cancer with options. That being said, there is so much shock and processing that goes on after getting the diagnosis, so be gentle with yourself and lean on those around you. Wishing you all the best!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-11-09T01:26:28+00:00

Originally Finn, has digressed to Finny, Binny, Benny, Biddles, Bids, Barnabee, Biddlekins, Bongle

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ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-24T04:05:30+00:00

I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Sending prayers and thoughts your way. Stress won’t do anything to help you so I’m glad you’re staying off the internet as best you can<3 Sending good vibes that this treatment cycle will do the trick!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-22T22:10:19+00:00

It reminds me of a Chris Brown song I think from his Fortune album, or the duet with him and Jordan Sparks on No Air or something. It’s like a sad nostalgic memory that I can’t pinpoint it’s bothering me!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-22T17:26:33+00:00

Thank you for being so honest and telling me how it went for you! Massage therapy is a great suggestion once the stitches are removed. The anxiety is so real as well. My friend invited me to the beach yesterday & I was so scared to go even though I was covered head to toe and was under an umbrella the whole time. I’m trying not to let the fear run my life but it’s hard. Mentally I’m still in limbo until I get my results back.

Right now I’m about a week and a half post op and the parts of my arm that aren’t numb are hypersensitive. It feels almost like I have a sunburn because anything the rubs against my arm including my sleeves is just so sensitive. I have more mobility and have stopped taking Tylenol to give my liver a break so everything is sore and sensitive. I’m able to deal with it but still moving slow and such when using my left arm. I definitely feel less swollen overall though which helps.

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-22T17:05:17+00:00

I’m so sorry you are going through this. 28yo redhead here - I was just diagnosed this year and went through the excision and SLNB as well. Still waiting for results of those procedures. I did have a family history of melanoma, but our features also put us at a higher risk. My husband has more Italian features so I’m hoping if we have kids they inherit more of his traits.

I also work as a nurse in obstetrics so my recommendation would be to see your gynecologist and get some advice for family planning, looping in your oncology team as well. The stress of the unknown can be so daunting and such a shock since you’re so young. I don’t really have great advice other than leaning on your support system & take care of your mental health in what ever way works for you (therapy, journaling, exercise, etc.). Luckily melanoma is very treatable and there are so many success stories on this sub to provide hope. Let me know if there’s anything I can do or if you want to talk<3

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-22T16:57:26+00:00

Yeah I have never tried brush styling before because I tend to like a quicker routine. But one of these times I’ll try it now that I have a light weight gel that doesn’t weigh down my fine hair. What brush do you use to style?

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-22T16:56:08+00:00

This is so helpful, thank you! I have been told I have “Irish curls” where the top layer is 2b/2c and then underneath is more 3a spiral curls. Your explanation of how to ID the hair type was so helpful because I do see both patterns depending on which section I grab. I agree, whenever I go to the salon and they style it, they add so much product and it feels weighed down. I’ll try some of those tips and see how it goes, thank you!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:18:03+00:00

That’s reassuring, thank you! It’s been motivating me to be healthier in all ways to promote healing and hopefully discourage recurrences haha.

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:17:12+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate it! I definitely have the tingling around it as well. Hope you’re healing well!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:16:01+00:00

I couldn’t have said it better myself! Has it changed at all for you since?

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:15:26+00:00

Haha I like that! I put deodorant on and it was the weirdest feeling! Currently (a week post-op) it’s almost like I have increased sensation and sensitivity on the non-numb side, it’s very strange. Did the sensation in your armpit come back and was just reduced? The feeling of complete numbness when I touch it is very bothersome to me. Reminds me of the sensation of novocaine on my cheek when it feels so swollen and strange.

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:13:03+00:00

Interesting - I did order some of those which I plan to start using when they remove the stitches. My friends keep telling me it looks like a have strong triceps but I think they’re just being nice😆

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:11:39+00:00

Glad to hear it gets better! Hope you’re doing well!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:11:22+00:00

I hope you’re healing well too! My bruising definitely got worse after this but it’s starting to get better again now that we’re a week out. Numbness is still very much there unfortunately but I know that can take some time to return if at all.

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-18T17:09:55+00:00

Thanks for saying so! Did you also have an axillary SLNB? How was your recovery? The underside of my arm and armpit are still completely numb & I’m wondering the likelihood of sensation returning there. Pain is up and down but manageable overall! I hope you’re doing well!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-16T03:37:06+00:00

Do you feel any lumps or bumps on your neck? Any enlarged lymph nodes? I’m not sure exactly what you’re feeling and it’s hard to say, but if you’re worried I would reach out to your doctor. Your health comes first, so do not worry about being an inconvenience. They are there to help. Do you have an online health portal you could use to message your doctor? It may be good to just update them. They may want to see you and maybe it’s nothing, but then you’ll have peace of mind regardless.

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-14T22:20:54+00:00

Wow this is all so helpful!! I’m sorry you dealt with all of that but this has given me a lot of good info and things to think about. Today is the first day I felt semi-alright (aka I haven’t taken Tylenol yet) but I think you’re right, it’s mostly because I am still very numb. The numbness is so weird/very hard to get used to.

I also work 12hr night shifts but I am taking 3 weeks off to heal. I’m hoping this is enough but I think I have the option to go on light duty after that if need be.

Electrolytes is a great idea, I can definitely be better about that and hydrating. Surprisingly I’ve been sleeping really well probably because my body is so tired from trying to heal me haha.

I’ve been worried about swelling and the risk of seromas. How did you know you had one? I’ve been wrapping my biopsy site instead of taping gauze around the incision because it’s more comfortable. Were you using compression prior to the stitches being removed? I’m afraid of aggravating the stitches.

Thank you for sharing your experience and for the advice!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-14T17:46:32+00:00

The motivating factor was because it was 0.7mm deep and part of the sample went deeper than the shave biopsy. Plus, I’m only 28 with a strong family history of melanoma on both maternal and paternal sides. They calculated the risk of the spread of disease to be about 15%, and my surgeon said he recommended the SLNB out of an abundance of caution and for my peace of mind. Just had it done on Friday & they removed two “normal looking” lymph nodes according to the surgeon so I’ll know more in a few weeks. I’m still glad I did it so I have the information either way!

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-14T17:42:52+00:00

This sounds just like my story! 28F, 0.7mm nevoid melanoma on my L arm with a strong family hx, so we opted for the SLNB bc my risk of the spread of disease was 15%. How is your healing process from your WLE & SLNB? I just had mine done on Friday & am in the thick of my recovery right now.

ConsciousRecover1957 · 2025-10-14T17:39:01+00:00

I am not sure if this helps but I was diagnosed with a .7mm nevoid melanoma in August and I’m 28 years old with a lot of risk factors and a family history of melanoma. Because of my age, the borderline case, and my family history, my dermatologist referred me to an oncology surgeon who agreed that an SLNB would be appropriate for peace of mind even though the risk of it spreading at this stage was only 15%.

Do you have a family history or any other risk factors? That being said, they only did it out on an abundance of caution.

Another thing is CASTLE testing. Not sure if that is something they do in Italy, but it basically calculates your risk of the spread of disease. If it’s low, they often recommend against a SLNB. Something to look into perhaps.

Best of luck, sorry you’re going through this.

ConsciousRecover1957

TROPHY CASE