A woman who was left with a foot-long red scar after undergoing surgery to correct a curve in her spine has revealed the wound has almost disappeared – thanks to a £28 silicone gel.
Emily Jackson, 20, from Oadby in Leicester, was told she could face life with a 90-degree sideways bend in her back that left her in constant pain.
After trips to see specialists, when she was 13, Emily was diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis at 43 degrees as well as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare inherited condition that affects tissue supporting skin, internal organs and bones.
The aesthetic therapist spent years hiding her body in baggy clothes, but after choosing to have complicated surgery in 2016, during which metal rods were fitted to straighten her back, she was left with a 30cm-long scar.
Emily grew to ‘dislike the look’ of the scar which was very red, raised and itchy and was desperate to try and lessen its appearance, which is when she discovered a silicone gel.
Emily Jackson developed scoliosis at 43 degrees as well as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome when she was 13, a rare inherited condition that effects tissue supporting skin, internal organs and bones
After having surgery on her spine to straighten it with metal rods, Emily was left with a 30cm scar, left before. She was desperate to lessen the appearance of the raised red line and began using a specialist cream known as Nourisil MD a silicon gel which has lightened and flattened it in just two months, right after
‘The scar sits just near my bra strap and runs right to the bottom of my tailbone, so it’s quite big. Probably a little bigger than a 30cm ruler,’ she said.
As time went on Emily’s scar got worse as her skin continued to produce more collagen.
There are two kinds of scars – a keloid which is a tough heaped-up scar, often coloured pink or purple, that rises abruptly above the skin.
Or a hypertrophic scar – like Emily’s – which is characterised by deposits of excessive amounts of collagen, causing a less raised mark, often forming around pimples, body piercings, cuts and burns.
Emily tried dozens of products to help the appearance of the scar including gels, oils and silicone sheets, but nothing worked. ‘It was starting to get thicker and dryer,’ she said.
She then consulted her colleagues – who are skincare specialists – at the clinic she works at, who introduced her to a silicone gel called Nourisil MD.
It contains five different silicones and vitamin E, and works by forming an invisible layer that hydrates and protects scars on all areas of the body.
Unlike other products it’s ultra light and self drying, and helps to flatten, soften and smooth scars, while relieving itching and skin discomfort.
Emily has been using the gel twice a day for two months and says she’s delighted with the difference, as her scar has lightened in colour and flattened in such a short space of time.
Left, Emily was told that her spine would continue to curve and end up at a 90 degree angle. Right, in 2016 aged 18 she opted to have surgery to correct the bend fixed in place with metal rods
Emily had lived in constant pain for years trying to live her life as normal as possible, but it proved difficult so she made the decision to go ahead with a radical spinal fusion
Two years ago the aesthetic therapist, who works for skincare company DermaCare Direct, underwent a radical spinal fusion procedure to correct the C-shape with metal rods, screws and hooks.
Now Emily says she’s feeling more confident than ever after years spent hiding her body under baggy clothes.
Emily said: ‘I first noticed that I had scoliosis when I was 13. As I was getting older I realised that my body was changing.
‘One side of my body had started to go in at the waist which is when I realised that I was constantly leaning to the left.
‘After that I was left really conscious about the way my body looked and decided to live in baggy clothing.’
‘I was told that if I did not have surgery my body would be at a 90-degree angle by the time I was 40 years old,’ Emily said.
Emily got her first job at the age of 16 but found it difficult to keep up with everyone else because of the physical impact of her condition.
She said: ‘Every time I had to bend down it felt like my spine was burying itself under the muscles in my back.
‘Luckily I was training to be a beauty therapist meaning that I was receiving massages every day.
‘Without this I don’t know how I would have been able to cope with the constant stabbing pain.’
Aged 17, Emily’s curve in her spine had become more prominent. She had spent years living in baggy clothing and wanted to make a change
After putting up with the agonising pain for two years and managing to pass her driving test despite her physical difficulties, Emily decided it was time to take action.
Emily, who was treated at Nottingham Hospital, explained that there were risks involved in the surgery like potential paralysis, or blindness because she would be lying on her front for so long.
Emily’s gruelling five-hour procedure was a success but she still faced a long road to recovery. She initially spent five days in hospital as physiotherapists began trying to teach her how to walk with her new, straightened back.
Emily said: ‘I immediately wanted to arch my back but couldn’t. I made it down the hall and up a few steps before going back to my room.
‘A couple of days later I was out of the hospital and back home, where my mum and my partner cared for me for the next couple of weeks. The first couple of weeks after surgery were excruciatingly painful and hard but I managed to get through.
‘I found it difficult to get back on my feet but after having a lot of support I managed to find a new job,’ she said.
Emily pictured on the day of her operation. She was in surgery for a gruelling five hours as surgeons fixed the C-curve and she had to learn to walk with a straight back
And she says a foot-long scar left behind following the procedure is now barely visible – thanks to the special cream.
One bottle of Nourisil MD is sold every 30 minutes in Holland, Belgium, Spain, Italy and France, but it was only launched in the UK late last year.
Emily said: ‘There are still days I find difficult, especially cold days. I find that cold weather makes my rods creek so loud that other people can hear it. But it’s now just another part of me.
‘I still have a lot of pain in my back but it’s now just something that I have to cope with on a daily basis.
‘As for my scar it is continuing to lighten and flatten, I’m getting great results.’