Reeves turtle restoration

Question
I recently got two reeves turtles to add to our family, and we love them like they have always been with us. The eldest "Simon James Alexander Ragsdale the third" was a rescue (3 years before we got him) that said he is happy and healthy. My question is what can I do to help him restore his shell? While it is pitted and coarse, he eats great and is happy and playful and doesn't care, apparently. We all think his shell looks awesome, I just feel like he should be pampered for the rest of his long life to make up for the foul humans he encountered. I've been warned away from Vitashell. Thanks and happy new year!

Answer
Hi Matt,

Congratulations on your new turtles!  Shell deformities and damage are, unfortunately, permanent.  There is nothing you can do to repair or restore his shell.  Vitashell should be avoided because the shell is living tissue and using creams, oils, etc. on it will just clog it up.  If the pitting is fairlly superficial, it's possible that shedding the scutes over time will reduce the pits, but I honestly don't know if it will eliminate them entirely, and from what I've read Reeve's don't shed all that much.  If it makes you feel any better, most avid turtle and tortoise keepers have at least a few rescues, and some of them can look pretty bad indeed.  But it's character that counts, right?  Good luck and enjoy your turtles!