Vitamin E Wound Care Ointment

It is only effective for skin repair after I/II degree superficial abrasions have healed, for wounds without ulceration after surgical suture removal, and for skin repair during the recovery period of burns and scalds. Fresh bleeding wounds, infected and ulcerated wounds, and wounds that reach deep into the dermis layer are all prohibited. There is no so-called magical effect of "no scars left after application".

The first time I stepped on it was when I was driving an express delivery three years ago. I was scratched by a one-centimeter-long shallow cut on the edge of a cardboard box. There was some blood at the time. I thought it hurt when I rubbed the iodophor, so I took the vitamin E ointment I had stored at home and applied a thick layer on it, and also put a band-aid on it to prevent scratches. I thought it would heal quickly, but it took a week for the scab to form. After the scab fell off, a light brown mark was left, which took a long time to disappear. Later, when I went to a community hospital to change dressings, I talked to the doctor and realized that I had used the wrong time. For fresh wounds with oozing, the first need is disinfection, keeping them dry and breathable. Vitamin E ointment itself is fat-soluble and has strong sealing properties. Applying it will suffocate the exudate in the wound, which will easily breed bacteria and delay healing.

A lot of people are boasting about it on the Internet now, saying that it can stop bleeding and leave no scars if you bump it or apply it. In fact, there has been a lot of disagreement in the industry about its effect. Most dermatologists recognize its value: as a classic antioxidant, it can form a thin protective film on the newly healed skin, reduce the stimulation of external dust and ultraviolet rays, inhibit the generation of free radicals, and reduce the probability of post-inflammatory pigmentation. To put it bluntly, it can reduce the possibility of the wound turning black and leaving marks after it heals. It is especially suitable for people with dark skin and easy to leave marks. However, trauma surgeons are generally more cautious, especially when dealing with ulcerated wounds, and basically do not recommend its use. After all, it has no disinfecting, antibacterial, or epidermal growth-promoting effects. Applying it may affect the discharge of wound exudate and increase the risk of infection. If you really want to promote healing, it is better to use a specialized growth factor gel.

There are two completely opposite examples around me. Last year, my friend had a double eyelid surgery. She had slight scarring. When the sutures were removed, the doctor specially prescribed vitamin E wound care ointment with approved medicinal properties. She was told to apply a thin layer of it every day and not to pick it with her hands. Later, she recovered very well. There was only a faint mark at the end of her eye, which was invisible unless she got close. Even she was surprised. But another colleague was in a terrible situation. He fell while riding an electric bike in the summer, and his knee was scratched and stained with sand. He thought it would be troublesome to go to the hospital, so he went home and applied the vitamin E ointment that his mother used to wipe his face. As a result, the wound became red, swollen and pus-filled the next day, and he couldn't even walk. He went to the hospital twice to clean the wound, which lasted almost half a month.

Oh, by the way, someone else asked me if I could use ordinary oral vitamin E capsules instead of special ointment? Really don't try it blindly. The concentration of oral vitamin E is generally very high, and the excipients added in it are suitable for gastrointestinal absorption and are not designed for application on the skin. I have tried to apply acne marks on my sister before, and she still has skin. After applying it twice, it became red and itchy, and it took three days to stop. There is really no need to save so much money. Moreover, there are actually two types of vitamin E ointments currently available on the market. The active ingredient content of the approved ointment is basically around 5%, which is a clinically proven safe concentration and suitable for post-operative repair and scar prevention. The vitamin E ointment is mostly below 1% and contains a lot of moisturizing ingredients. It can be used for daily application on small scratches at most. Do not use it as medicine.

As for what many people are concerned about, "whether applying it can eliminate hyperplasia", there is currently no unified conclusion in the academic community. Some clinical studies have shown that continuous use for more than 3 months can soften and flatten hypertrophic scars, and some studies have shown that its effect is no different from ordinary moisturizers. My own experience is that if you do not have a scarring constitution, it is enough to apply a thin layer of it on a small scratch for two weeks after removing the scab. If you have had surgery or are prone to scars, it is best to listen to the doctor’s advice on whether to use it and how long to use it. Don’t blindly buy it and apply it for several months. It is a waste of money and may delay things.

Anyway, I have one copy each of iodine, sterile cotton swabs, growth factors, and approved vitamin E ointment in the medicine cabinet at home. I don’t know when to use it. After all, the wound is small or big, and it hurts for a long time to step on it. I can’t afford to listen to those nonsense propaganda.