The Best Essential Oils for Mastectomy and Breast Reconstruction Scars
One of the best things you can do subsequent to having a mastectomy or breast reconstruction (or both) is to begin applying certain essential oils to the scars just as soon as the tissues have knitted together and begun to heal. There are several reasons I recommend this and in this article I will share with you those reasons, as well as the best essential oils for mastectomy and breast reconstruction scars. and a recipe for a healing oil you can make yourself using essential oils and some special carrier oils.
Reasons to Begin Using Essential Oils After Surgery
1. All of the oils listed below are enormously antibacterial. Since hospitals are one of the best places to be exposed to some pretty nasty strains of bacteria, protecting your healing tissues with antibacterial essential oils just makes good sense.
2. Most of the oils listed will help with tissue regeneration, are potently anti-inflammatory, and will speed the healing process.
3. For preventative purposes. As a breast cancer coach, I cannot tell you how many women with whom I’ve come into contact have had recurrences of breast cancer in and among their mastectomy scar lines. I don’t share this to scare anyone, merely to inform you of the possibility. These oils may help to prevent that from happening. No guarantees, but strictly from my observances, those who used essential oils almost immediately after healing began (and I began using them within 24 hours of reconstruction surgery) have not had problems.
The Best Essential Oils for Scarring
Helichrysum
Lavender
Elemi
Rose
Myrrh
Sandalwood
Geranium
Neroli
Palmarosa
Rosewood
Frankincense
Patchouli
Cedarwood
Carrot Seed
Copaiba
Hyssop
Rosemary
Lemon
Eucalyptus
Melaleuca (Tea Tree)
Good Carrier Oils for Healing Scars
Tamanu (avoid this if you have nut allergies)
Rosehip
Coconut
Emu
Recipe: Healing Oil for Scars
2 tablespoons organic rosehip oil
2 tablespoons organic tamanu oil
2 tablespoons organic fractionated coconut oil or hemp oil
10 drops vitamin E oil or calendula infused oil
4 drops carrot seed oil
4 drops frankincense oil
2 drops cedarwood oil
2 drops myrrh oil
3 drops patchouli oil
4 drops geranium oil
4 drops copaiba oil
3 drops palmarosa oil
3 drops rosewood oil
2 drops tea tree or eucalyptus oil
1 drop lemon oil
Combine ingredients in a sterilized dark glass bottle with a dropper. Before using, give it a gentle shake back and forth to combine ingredients. Use a few drops along scar lines 3 times per day while scar lines are healing, then twice daily for the next 30-90 days. Continue using at least once daily thereafter.
Will This Blend Help if Surgery Was Months Ago?
Yes, it should help. For those who have already begun the healing process and have some ugly scars left behind, this oil blend can be of assistance. It might not eradicate them completely, but take before and after pictures (and date them) so that you can see the difference. Feel free to share them with me!
Essential Oil Purity Matters
It’s important to understand that when using essential oils for health improvement, you need to be looking for 100% pure, organic essential oils that are made only from plants – as opposed to the cheaper, artificial fragrance oils you will find in places like the local health food shop. The problem with using the cheaper ones is that although they may have a pleasant aroma, fragrance oils often contain synthetic chemicals, and rather than helping to heal, using oils with synthetic chemicals may actually harm. Medicinal grade oils won’t do this.
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What if your surgery was 7 months ago. What oils can be used on scars to diminish their appearance?
Hi Barb,
The essential oils listed in this article are still excellent to use, even after some time has elapsed. Go ahead and give them a try, and drop back by here to let us know how you fared.
Warmest regards,
Marnie
I’ve just had a mastectomy and breast reconstruction… are oils safe to use with an implant? Thank you
Anna,
Great question. I have this information for you, directly from a breast surgeon. Since the oils do not come into direct contact with your breast implants, they will not affect the implants in any way. Go ahead and use them.
Warmest regards,
Marnie
Hi, I use Doterra oils and I have most of those oils on hand but not all, can I just make a blend of the ones I have from the list mixed with fractionated coconut oil?
Hi Jeanne,
Yes you can! Since you are already an essential oils user, you will no doubt have some favorites from the list and know what blends well together. Have fun!
Warmest regards,
Marnie
wonderful and very informative information… thank you 😊
have a wonderful day Marnie
Vanessa,
I’m glad you found the information useful. Thanks for sharing! I hope you have a wonderful day too.
Marnie Clark
That’s an extensive list of oils to use. Can you provide the reason you chose those oils? I understand frankincense, geranium and myrrh but the others? What about helichrysum or Yarrow Pom?
Susan,
Personal experience! That’s why I’ve included so many oils – they all work in different ways. Some are anti-inflammatory, some improve circulation, most are anti-bacterial, some help with tissue regeneration. I probably could have included a brief “why” next to each oil (and perhaps I still will – since you’ve asked about it, no doubt others will want to know as well!). I included helichrysum because I used it myself in a scar blend I created and its inclusion was (I believe) beneficial. It assists with circulation, has loads of antioxidant protection, and is anti-inflammatory. Yarrow Pom is a particular name brand and I purposely tried to make my list as generic as possible. Thanks for your question.
Regards,
Marnie Clark
Hi Marnie I have and heard that copaiba is good..I use most of Youngevity essential oils already. Are you familiar with Youngevity?
Hi Margie,
Copaiba is excellent. No, I’ve never heard of Youngevity essential oils.
Regards,
Marnie
How soon after surgery can I start using oils on my wounds ?
Taryn,
I began using my essential oils as soon as I came out of recovery! Obviously there will be bandages and what I did was to put them on the far side of the bandage – the part not closest to the wound. They helped me keep the area free of those nasty antibiotic-resistant bacteria, helped with bruising, and sped up the healing process. If you have super sensitive skin, be sure to dilute with an organic carrier oil. You can carry on applying the oils long after the surgical wounds are healed, they help to reduce and minimize scarring. Hope this info helps!
Best regards,
Marnie