I've been hearing from a few people via email who have been going through similar experiences. I'm pleased to report that most people aren't bothered by their scars after a while. Here's how mine looks after a year and a half. A little lumpy and crater-like, but blending more with my skin, and an okay color (compared to a year ago).
Here is a website that has a lot of information about sunscreens and other products, along with their ingredient listings.
Environmental Working Group
www.ewg.org/2010sunscreen/
This is probably old news to some, but I didn't know until today that some plastic surgeons use leeches to help heal grafts!
Leech article:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5319129/ns/health-health_care/
Also important to mention, and was suggested by a fellow reader--people should be made aware that full body screenings are important. If you've had a skin cancer experience, especially melanoma, it is important to have your eyes examined as well as your private parts. Yes, as surprising as it may sound, melanoma can occur 'where the sun don't shine' and within the eye. UV exposure is damaging to eyes and causes many of the commonly known eye problems. Sunglasses are your first defense there. My dermatologist suggested this at my first full body examination. Since that time, I have taken my daughter for a full body screening (she is 11 years old) an my husband also went for his a few months ago. And I visited the eye doctor!
Thanks Shelly, Tammy and Joyce for your recent correspondence.
UPDATE: The TruKid sunblock works well, but is a bit white-looking on my skin and is slightly greasy. It has a pleasant scent. For now I'm sticking with the natural options in sunblocks, such as the mineral-based brands (like TruKid, Kabana Green Screen, Badgers) as often as possible until more is learned about the chemicals in sunscreens and sunblocks.
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