iodine scar reduction

[Lainey]

I've been reading about 5% Lugol's iodine solution for scar reduction. Anyone know of any positive results from this? Here is a link to some findings:

https://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19168293

[SarahVaughter]

Regeneration of Human Scar Tissue with Topical Iodine

 

  A Preliminary Report

     

  David M. Derry, MD, PhD

 

  part 1

 

  https://http://www.owndoc.com/pdf/Derry%20Iodine%20Regeneration-1.pdf

 

  part 2

 

  https://http://www.owndoc.com/pdf/Derry%20Iodine%20Regeneration-2.pdf

[Lainey]

Thank you for posting the two articles. If the iodine needs to be covered by plastic wrap to be effective, it would probably only be useful for surgical scars under clothing. Would there be any harm in using some iodine as a spot treatment after needling individual acne scars, covering with infadolan ointment to keep the area moist?

[SarahVaughter]

You can give it a try. The problem is that after needling, the iodine will penetrate deeply and some of it will likely get into the blood stream. Iodine, just like any other toxic element should not be overdosed so Lugol's solution should not be put on extensive areas or for a very long time, especially if you apply it after needling.

Try it on a small area. Iodine is used to disinfect wounds so it is OK to use it for its intended purpose, but I would not recommend prolonged use on large "open" areas, since Iodine is a toxic halogen.

Then again, many, if not most people have an Iodine deficiency, and Iodine protects against heavy metal accumulation and many other serious problems. Iodine is one of the most important elements for our health. So as long as you don't overdo it, you should be fine.

[skinny]

after reading Dr Derry articles have tried Lugol applications for 3.5 months, but have not seen any improvement. i have also read that treating wound with iodine could promote more scar tissue formation, and also that with needling you do not need to apply topicals with faster healing or antiseptic properties as skin should go through its own natural inflammation and healing phase, but iodine is antiseptic and i guess could interfere with the process??

[SarahVaughter]

I do not have any experience with Iodine scar reduction. The results published by Dr Derry are impressive. From the PDF, it appears that Iodine can in some cases aid in the regeneration of scar tissue. I presume this doesn't apply to all types of scars though.

   

  I used to disinfect my minor injuries with Iodine and never experienced scar formation. We recommend our customers to disinfect with Ethanol or Betadine, which contains Povidone-Iodine. An antiseptic should not be able to interfere with the needling process, as an antiseptic prevents infection, not inflammation.

   

  There is some mentioning of scar formation here:

 

https://http://www.scribd.com/doc/25146858/2187-Chemistry-and-Medicines

   

  Iodine

   

  Usually used in an alcoholic solution (called tincture of ) or as Lugol´s

  iodine solution as a pre- and post-operative antiseptic. No longer

  recommended to disinfect minor wounds because it induces scar tissue

  formation and increases healing time. Gentle washing with mild soap and

  water or rinsing a scrape with sterile saline is a comparatively better

  practice. Novel iodine antiseptics containing povidone-iodine (an iodophor,

  complex of povidone, a water-soluble polymer, with triiodide anions I3-,

  containing about 10% of active iodine) are far better tolerated, don't

  negatively affect wound healing, and leave a deposit of active iodine,

  thereby creating the so-called "remnant," or persistent, effect. The great

  advantage of iodine antiseptics is its wide scope of antimicrobial activity,

  killing all principal pathogens and, given enough time, even spores which

  are considered to be the most difficult form of microorganisms to be

  inactivated by disinfectants and antiseptics.