Silicone Scar Treatment | My Experience with Silicone Scar Products

The best non surgical scar treatment products | Silicone sheets & gels

Silicone scar products are in fact the only products proven to be effective when it comes to over the counter scar treatment.

I had to deal with a lot of scars on different parts of my body a few years ago. After I had been attacked by someone with a knife I ended up in the hospital with more then 100 stitches all over my body. I had been cut in my face and neck and stabbed in my back and chest. Surgery was needed to safe my life resulting in an extra big scar on my chest.

The following years I have tried numerous creams, oils, gels, silicone sheets and even a weekly mud scrubbing scar massage ( a subtle form of dermabrasion). I have read very much about scar treatment. I was determined to get rid of my scars. Or at least improve them to the maximum possible amount. In my experience the silicone sheets (and the gel in lesser amount) are the best scar treatment products.

Later on I found out there are some other products that can be beneficial.

Conclusion of this review: The silicone scar products flattened and softened my scars to a huge extent. Also the color improved from being very red to a more skin like color.

Silicone Scar Products | Proven to be Effective

A non invasive, easy to use, low risk of side effects, effective scar improvement method

Confirming my own findings, Wikipedia also states silicone gel sheeting having the most widely accepted role in general scar treatment together with steroid injections. Compared to steroid injections silicone scar sheets and gels are considered less invasive, easier to use and with lower risks of side effects.

Wikipedia also says: "Silicone sheeting technology is used by plastic surgeons and burn centers to provide patients with optimal results. In the past, silicone gel sheets were thick and uncomfortable and susceptible to cracking and breakdown, but newer technologies have improved performance."

Another great benefit of silicone scar treatment is that it reduces the risk of developing hypertrophic or keloid scars. When it comes to scar treatment products, silicone sheets really are the best buy.

There is scientific proof silicone sheets (or patches as they are called also) work. When searching the Internet for "the international clinical recommendations on scar management" some studies can be found.

Silicone Treatment for Hypertrophic & Keloid Scars

Silicone sheets and gels are best for flattening, softening and decreasing redness of scars

Something about Scars

What is a scar and which different types of scars are there?

A scar is a wound inflicted area where the normal skin is replaced by fibrous tissue. This tissue exists of collagen fibers that are produced as part of the repair process. When an injury of the skin results in a scar it either leaves a pigmented mark or an increased amount of tissue, so called scar tissue.

Scars can be roughly divided into the following types:

hypertrophic scars; red, thick and raised.

keloid scars; grow beyond the original wound, can be painful or itchy

Atrophic scars are skin depressions or indentations, often a result of acne

contracture scars; tightening of the skin

Effective Scar Treatment

4 essential factors regarding effective scar treatment

Not only according to my experiences but also clinical trials show the best way to treat scars at home are silicone sheets. They really work. A marginal note though; getting rid of scars completely is almost impossible. Scars can be improved.

You can talk about reducing or fading scars or smoothing scars but most of the times a scar will never disappear completely. Although I have to admit that one scar on my cheek has healed that much that it almost can't be seen anymore. Not even from very close distance.

As far as doctors and scientists know there are 4 factors that play a mayor role in effective scar treatment:

moisture

oxygen

silicones

warmth

Read how to make use of these factors in the best scar treatment tips further on this page.

Did you know..

Even when scars are covered with clothing sunblock should be applied to the scar, because the SPF factor of most clothing is very low. For example, the SPF factor of a white cotton T-shirt is less than 10.

My most problematic scar

One part of the 20 cm long vertical scar on my chest was problematic from the beginning. It seems this is a very delicate and vulnerable part of the skin on the chest. When I bend my head on my chest its the part just below my chin touching my chest.

It started with not healing appropriate. Where the rest of the wound was already healed this part stayed an open wound for a much longer time. Later on when the scar was improving this part stayed thicker and more red. The technical name for this is hypertrophic. I considered a steroid injection but eventually decided not to. (Actually I forgot about my appointment, unconsciously being aware of the risk I guess)

About a year later I noticed the scar had healed pretty well and was nice flat and the color was better, more skin like. So after all I am glad I didn't opt for the steroid injection because it seems many times it doesn't work or can even make it worse. The scar will heal itself every time it is messed with so leaving it will eventually be the best solution.

Silicone Patches are better than Gel

Silicone Patches vs. Silicone Gel

When applying patches (sheets) and when gel?

Sheets / patches
Silicone sheets (patches) are solid. I myself used A4 sized sheets which could be cut into the precise proportion I needed for the particular scar. Advantage of silicone sheets is that they can cover a big area at once. Apart from that my own personal finding was that the sheets worked more efficiently.

Gels
Silicone gels are liquid. The gel lays a minuscule silicone film over the scar.
I used the Zeraderm brand. It comes in a little tube that looks like a little glue tube. Advantage of the silicone gel is that it can be applied on scars that are exposed when you are out in public. Or when it is difficult to attach sheets to some parts of the body like joints and the face. In these cases gel can be a good alternative or actually more like an addition to the sheets. Because like I said, I found out that the sheets worked better for me.

So let's say you have a scar in your face and you don't want wear a silicone patch in public. I would wear the patch at night and use the gel during the day. Depending how many hours a day you want to apply the silicones. I chose to use them about 16 hours a day.

I used the sheets for the bigger scars on my body. I cut them to the appropriate size and applied the sheet with silk tape. I treated the smaller scars with the Zeraderm scar gel. Since Zeraderm isn't available in the States I guess Kelo Cote would make a good alternative. This is also a silicone based scar gel.

"The use of silicone cream alone compared with silicone cream with occlusive dressing showed 22% and 82% scar improvement, respectively, with respect to erythema, tenderness, pruritus, and hardness. These results supported that occlusion may be synergistic in wound healing and suggested that silicone gel alone may not be as effective as silicone sheeting." *

* Source: Topical treatments for hypertrophic scars. Joanna M. Zurada, AB, David Kriegel, MD, and Ira C. Davis, MD

How do they work?

What do silicone sheets do for your skin

What are silicone sheets?
A scar silicone sheet actually is a mineral based gel membrane created from medical polymer materials. (Technical name; polysiloxane) The sheets are soft, transparent and sticky on one side so they can be attached easily to the skin. The material is capable of allowing moisture and oxygen pass trough.

How do silicone scar sheets work?
How they work is not sure. They think it has something to do with electro static energy. By applying the silicone sheet a static-electric field will exist between the sheet and the skin. This electro static energy probably smoothens and flattens the scar and also creates an increased blood flow which results into an improved skin tone. Not only do silicone sheets improve appearance of scars they also prevent further scar formation. It also seems that the electro static field improves the irregular collagen structure from a scar. And furthermore they should contribute to moisturizing the skin.

How To Use Silicone Scar Sheets.

How long should I wear the silicone sheet for maximum scar reduction?

It is important to apply the sheets consistently. I used them every day for about at least 12 hours. Mostly about 16 hours during the day. At night I gave my scars time to 'breathe'. Some manufacturers however, advice to wear the sheet 24 hours a day. Although I didn't do this the sheets worked fine for me and the result turned out to be satisfying. It always seemed a bit unnatural to me to wear the sheets continuously.

I did this for about 4 months for the biggest scars. I attached the sheets with silk tape. But you can also use compression garments to keep the sheet attached closely to the scar. Sometimes the sheets didn't stick very well because I had already used them for a while or because of transpiration. I made sure to reattach the sheet or replace it with a new one.

direct upon the skin

make sure the skin and sheet are clean and dry

attach with silk tape or micropore tape (3M) (or a compression garment) if necessary

wear them consistently

Medical Grade Silicone Scar Products

High Quality Silicone Sheets and Gels

Differences between brands

The concentration of silicones used in the sheets varies. Some brands offer sheets with higher concentrations of silicones. Also important is the transparency of oxygen and moisture

I used a European doctor-level silicone sheets brand. Scar away and Biodermis are such doctor-level brands. They consist of a higher percentage silicones from better quality are thicker and seem to be more durable than for example an over-the-counter brand like Neosporin. They seem to stick better to the skin as well.

Thats why I think ScarAway is one of the better brands, if not the best brand, at the moment. Customer reviews on Amazon and forums confirm this. ScarAway sheets are made of professional grade silicones, the sheets are larger and have a better adhesion. As far as I know Biodermis also makes high quality scar fading sheets.

Scar Away | Professional Grade Silicone Scar Sheets

Best Buy in Scar Treatment Products

Silicone scar sheeting is used by burn centers, hospitals, plastic surgeons, and dermatologists to prevent the formation of new scars. The licensing to the original Silon technology by Bio-Med Sciences found in these products was purchased by Pfizer, Inc. in 2002 to create a product for the consumer market under the name Neosporin Scar Solution.

When Johnson & Johnson purchased Pfizer, Inc. in 2006 it was decided that Scar Solution would be discontinued from the Neosporin product line. However, the demand for this product continued.

In 2008, Bio-Med Sciences entered into agreements with Advanced Health & Nutrition of Guilford, CT to release this product to the market under the new name ScarAway (Scar Away). The ScarAway silicone scar sheets were improved with a slightly larger size and significantly better adhesion over Scar Solution.

source: Amapedia.com

ScarAway Professional Grade Silicone Scar Treatment Sheets - Full Dr. Recommended 12 Week Supply 12 Multi-Use Patches with Free Storage Case Included

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $36.99

Silcone Sheets vs Ointments

sheets, patches, strips versus gel, cream, ointment, lotion

One of the conclusions of this prominent study comparing several treatments: Topical Treatments for Hypertrophic Scars. (Zurada, Kriegel and Davis) source

"The most accepted treatment for old and new hypertrophic scars is silicone gel sheeting. Silicone ointment or gel alone, however, is less effective than silicone sheeting."

Personally I liked to use the gel as an addition for the moments wearing sheets was less convenient.

Silicone Gel Products

ointment, cream, lotion

Clinically proven effective on old and new hypertrophic, keloid and burn scars. These products are recommended by plastic surgeons and dermatologists.

KeloCote Kelo-cote Scar Gel .5 oz/ 15 g.

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $34.39 (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $49.95

Scarway 100% Silicone Gel Scar Diminishing Serum

Avg. Customer Rating:

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 12/23/2009)
List Price: $34.99

Start treating your scar right away, the sooner you start the better the final result will be!

8 Scar Healing Tips

from my own experience

Scar Fading Tip 1 | Start treating the scar as soon as possible.
The fresher a scar, the more efficient treatments will be. So after the wound is closed scar treatment can be applied immediately. But never before the wound is healed completely. Proper wound care will also benefit scar appearance. Keep the wound moist and clean.

Scar Improving Tip 2 | Focus on non invasive / DIY methods
Over time scars will improve. Make use of non invasive methods and avoid the more intrusive methods as steroid injections and surgery as much as possible. The scar has to heal again and new scar tissue will come into existence.

Scar Healing Tip 3 | Moisturize
Make sure the scar doesn't get dehydrated. Use a lotion or cream to keep it moist. In my opinion any moisturizing cream will do.

Scar Reducing Tip 4 | Heat Application
Higher temperatures increase of the activity of the enzyme that breaks down scar tissue. Paraffin wax or heat application devices can be beneficial in scar reduction

Scar Fading Tip 5 | Make sure the scar can 'breathe'
Oxygen is essential for every living being. I made sure my scars were exposed to the air as much as I could. When I was treating my scars I was given the advice to exercise. This way the blood flow will improve thus supporting the skin's own recovering ability

Scar Recovering Tip 6 | Always keep the scar out of the sun
Never expose fresh scars to the sun. It is very important to keep your scar, as long as it is not in it's final state, out of the sun because the solar radiation will damage the tissue or cause hyperpigmentation.

Scar Smoothing Tip 7 | Wait until the wound is closed
Never start with scar improving until the wound has been healed completely. You'll want to treat a scar not a wound. Otherwise you will only make things worse.

Scar Reducing Tip 8 | Massage therapy
Perform scar massage. By softly manipulating the tissue the blood circulation will improve and the tissue will get softer. Only when the wound has been healed completely. Make use of a cream to your liking. In my opinion it doesn't matter if you choose onion cream or a vitamin B based lotion but some people swear with some kinds of scar creams.

Medihoney Moisturizing Cream

This Manuka honey based cream has very good moisturizing properties.

MediHoney Intensive Dermatological Eczema Cream with Antibacterial Honey for Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis & Dry Skin 50G Tube New & Sealed!!

My scars 8 years later

I got the scars 8 years ago. I have 7 scars in total, the biggest about 9 inches long. One scar on my cheek is almost invisible. This is mostly due to the fact that the skin on the face has a big healing power. A scar in my neck is visible also because there is no hair growth at that particular place but the silicone sheets helped flatten the scar which improved the convenience of shaving. Before that the thickness of the scar made it difficult to shave without cutting myself. ( I will add some photo's when I have a digital camera available)

I am glad that they are improved. They will never leave completely but the sheets helped me with improving them a lot and eventually giving the scars a place in my mind also.

If I had to treat my scars from scratch again I would use Scaraway sheets in combination with Kelo-cote gel and a Manuka honey based moisturizing cream or instead of the latter certified UMF20+ Manuka honey.

Surgical scar treatments can be risky

The chance your scar will get worse exists

Doctors also say that many products you can buy on the Internet don't work. Fortunately the only risk with these products is you will be disappointed and you will have lost some money. Although some over the counter scar products in fact can do harm.

But with more radical solutions like laser resurfacing, steroid injections or dermabrasion there also is the risk of making the scar worse. Every time the skin is frustrated by a surgical scar treatment it will produce new scar tissue. Of course when your scar problematic these treatments can be a relief. But I would only go for these options if home remedies didn't satisfy.

I didn't know this up front because all I wanted was to get completely rid of my scars but I now see them as a last resort. Time, taking good care by massage, moisturizing, applying silicone sheets and an additional silicone gel like Zeraderm or Kelo-cote can do a lot.

Possible Breakthrough in Scar Treatment

The Best Scar Treatment Products..

are not always what you think...

Many people say that the onion based scar cream Mederma, Bio Oil or the scar lotion with vitamin E they use works like a charm for them. I am not convinced at all. Actually I would not recommend to use those products.

Some scientific studies have shown that these products not only don't work but in some cases even can do damage. (I'm talking about topical use of vitamin E capsules here) Again from the dermatology website article:

Bottom Line: Although many patients believe vitamin E speeds wound healing and improves the look of a scar, current evidence from the literature does not support this idea. In fact, studies report adverse effects with use of vitamin E. Because of this, discourage your patients from using topical vitamin E on healing wounds and scars.

Check out this page for more extended info about the best scar removal products There are links to scientific reports and clinical trials on effective scar treatments.

Why Scar Creams (don't) Work.....

Like I mentioned before, I have tried many scar creams and they didn't turn out to be effective for me. The main benefit of using any cream (or lotion) is that it needs to be physically massaged into the skin.

It is just not clear if it is the massage which is beneficial or the ingredients in the, most of the times very cleverly marketed and sometimes hyped, products. So while I can not say these products do not work with complete certainty, there is no evidence they do work because of their ingredients. I keep saying that massage alone can be very beneficial and there are far better products available.

Don't put vitamin E on your scar

It does not help and can even make your scar worse. Read more..

Honey and Scars

Honey and especially Manuka honey can be very beneficial in wound care. Proper wound care results in less scarring. Some scientists think Manuka honey might fade existing scars as well but there have been no studies done yet.

This interesting article on scar treatment by dermatologist Dr. Sarah L. Taylor, M.D., M.P.H. shows:
"silicone gel has the most data behind it as an efficacious topical, over-the-counter treatment option for scars, and is an option for patients who want something they can buy themselves. Also, there is probably not any harm, and possibly some benefit, to rubbing honey onto healing wounds and scars."

and:

"Further quality studies involving human subjects are needed for topical, natural preparations for scars, so in the meantime, encourage your patients to not waste their time or money on other natural products out there that claim to improve the look of their scars."

I have not used honey on my scars myself but I do am very enthusiastic about Manuka honey and I use it for other purposes. A certified, tested, by the FDA approved product with active Manuka honey is Medihoney's Moisturising cream. If you are not familiar with Manuka honey I am convinced you will find this page very interesting. Also check out the video on Manuka, it's such a great product.

Active UMF Manuka Honey | a Natural Antibiotic with many Health Benefits

and other information about this wonderful natural product Active Manuka honey has extraordinary and powerful medical benefits.This New Zealand originated honey from bees who feed on the Manuka bush is known to have unique antibacterial and antimicr...

All you need to know when you want to buy Manuka honey.

Buy Active Manuka honey ~ The Best Honey Brands to Buy

If you want to buy Manuka honey you'll probably want it for its powerful health benefits. Otherwise you would have bought a normal honey which is not renowned for its medical uses*. UMF active Manuka honey is characterized by unique antibacterial an...

Revolutionary new product: Medihoney Gel Sheet Dressings

New wound care product might also work on scar reduction.

The world renowned Professor Peter Molan of the Waikato University in New Zealand has invented a technology to turn honey into rubbery sheets.
"It's like a sheet of rubber, you can touch it without it being sticky at all."

Dr. Molan thinks this product might also work on reversing scars. Considering the extraordinary health benefits of Manuka honey

When applying Manuka honey on wounds it is strongly advised to use medical grade Manuka honey which is sterilized by gamma irradiation. Medical grade Manuka honey is available in jars and in wound dressings. Visit this page for more info about brands and places to buy.

Hydration and Warmth Seem to Reduce Scar Appearance

moisturizing cream and heat packs can make a difference

It still is not known exactly how silicone sheets reduce scars. According to Dr Elisabeth Shim, a Santa Monica, California, dermatological surgeon, some of the effects probably come from applying gentle pressure to the area.

The silicone itself may also release some compounds into the skin that alter the way fibroblasts in the dermis generate collagen, Shim said.

Doctors also theorize that the silicones improve scar healing by keeping the area moist and warm. Higher temperatures are thought to increase the activity of collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen.

So when warmth and moist are important factors in scar reduction a qualitative moisturizing cream and heat packs might add a lot to improving scars. Read more about this via the link to the page below.

The Best Scar Removal Products

my latest insights in how to treat scars optimally

Short summary: Start with proper wound care, keep scars hydrated, allow oxygen to flow through and keep them warm by using paraffin wax or a heat application device. These 4 things are known and proven to be effective.

Best Scar Removal Products

The Best Scar Removal Products Many scar removal products claim to help you get rid of scars. There are so much reviews to read on line. Whatever you are searching for, the reviews are all mixed or biased. I know from experience that the truth about...

Scar Treatment FAQ

have a question that's not in the FAQ? feel free to ask in the guestbook

Q: Can silicone sheets be applied to the cheek?

A: Yes they can but sometimes they didn't stick very well to my neck and face. My advice would be: use the sheets as much as possible and in addition silicon gel like Kelo-cote or Zeraderm when for example you are out in public or when for some reason the sheets don't stick well.

Q: Does the use of silicone sheets have side effects?

A:This research report shows there are no side effects. See the conclusion at the end. Although I have heard of someone who didn't like the feeling of the material on his skin of a specific brand and switched to another brand.

Q: When can I take a steroid injection for my scar?

A:It's best to wait for the natural healing process to end. If you have a problematic scar I would visit a medic to ask for an opinion.

Q: How long should I keep my scar out the sun?

A:Wait until the scar is not red anymore and more like the color of your skin. Later on sunshine can even improve the appearance of the scar. The color of the scar will hopefully blend into the surrounding skin tissue. But be cautious.

Mederma Scar Cream Effective?

Does Mederma really work for stretch marks?

Does Mederma really work for stretch marks? Mederma cream (a topical onion extract based cream) is supposed to work on old and new skin marks resulting from injury, surgery, acne, burns, and stretch marks. As the company says itself the cream is the...

Polyurethane Dressings

More effective than silicone sheets?

Poster Bri pointed the existence of polyurethane dressings out to me. (thanks for that Bri) I didn't know about them until then. Some research tells me that the opinions on the effectiveness of these dressings compared with silicone sheets differ.

Conclusion of one study is that silicone and non-silicone gel dressings are equally effective in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Read more about this clinical trial here: Silicone versus nonsilicone gel dressings: A controlled trial.

Another study (done by the manufacturer of polyurethane dressings) shows that polyurethane dressings are more effective than silicone patches. Read more about the outcomes of this study here: polyurethane dressings vs silicone sheeting

As there are relatively little studies done which compare silicone
and non-silicone dressings on scars, it is recommended that a larger, more rigorous randomized controlled trial be performed to determine which product really is more effective.

Reading the different reports I do think these dressings also are able to improve scars and especially in case of keloid, hypertrophic and burn scars. I will get back on this subject later.

According to a research report I obtained from the American Dermatology Association: "Polyurethane dressings have equivocal effects on the development of new hypertrophic scars but may improve the appearance of mature scars."

Soon more on my scar treatment blog.

More info on this product on Amazon.com

Elastoplast Scar Reducer-21 Piece

Polyurethane dressings for scar treatment

Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)

research shows silicone scar products have some advantages over polyurethane dressings. i will add more info and links to reports soon.

Buy Silicone Scar Products In and Outside the USA

at Drugstore.com

Some people ask me where they can buy the silicone patches. Recently I got a question from someone in the United Kingdom. For English people and people in many other countries it isn't possible to order these products via Amazon or eBay.

But recently Drugstore.com has expanded its shipping range to a major part of the world. Apart from that drugstore.com offers free shipping for the first non prescriptive order above 25$.

Click the picture or the link below of the specific product to be guided to the particular product page at Drugstore.com.

ScarAway 1.5 X 3 Fabric-Backed Silicone Scar Sheets

ScarAway 1.5 X 7 Fabric-Backed Silicone Scar Sheets

ScarAway 100% Silicone Gel Serum for Scars

More Info

on scar treatment, wound care and honey

Scars, Wounds & Manuka Honey

What do these have common you might ask. Wound care, scar treatment and Manuka honey are closely related to each other. Manuka honey can add to taking proper care for wounds which commonly results in less scarring. Apart from this, scientists believ...

Want to ask me something about scar treatment?

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Reply

nunu nunu Dec 11, 2009 @ 10:10 pm

hey i was wondering about hd scar cream? i wanted to try it cause all i hear is good reviews, but im very sceptical as to if it actually works? i dont know if it is safe to use on hypertrophic scars on the face? should i try this product?? what is ur opinion???

Reply

Lori Lori Dec 10, 2009 @ 3:33 pm

I tried scarguard and the odor was so bad my eyes burned. It also flaked off like dried nail polish after only and hour. The sheets are more effective according to studies, plus the scarguard is only a very small percent silicone which is what is proven to work. I tried a few of the silicone sheets, the best I found was recommended by my OBGYN and is called Scar Away. It worked amazing on 2 C-section scars. 1 was old and it worked great. My doctor told me to use after my second C-section to prevent the bad scarring I get....I used the scaraway after my stitches were out and no red scar this time!!! YAY! WIsh I knew about Scar Away sooner!

Reply

Beas Beas Dec 11, 2009 @ 6:00 am

Lori thanks very much for sharing your experiences with Scarguard and Scaraway! This benefits all who are in need of a good product.

Reply

Jackie Jackie Dec 9, 2009 @ 4:58 pm

You are missing Scarguard which my plastic surgeon says is one of the only products that actually works. It has many technologies in it that have been shown to work in studies. My surgeon gave it to me and it flattened my scar really quickly. It is nearly invisible and easy.

Reply

Beas Beas Dec 10, 2009 @ 3:45 am

Hi Jackie, your surgeon is right and yes silicone creams have technologies shown to work according clinical trials but prominent studies have shown these silicone ointments to be less effective than silicone sheetings. I used them as an additional measure. For example during the day on my face. Glad to hear your scar improved quickly!

Reply

Beas Beas Dec 10, 2009 @ 4:09 am

You are right that I missed Scarguard so for the sake of completeness I have added this product. Thanks for pointing this out to me.

Reply

Ike Ike Nov 29, 2009 @ 3:42 pm

Nice page thanks great information i learned a few things 5 stars!
tummy tuck before and after

Reply

Kathi Kathi Nov 20, 2009 @ 1:03 pm

I have a 4 inch scar on my face from removal of a cancer.
What silicone sheets are best to try since it will be very
visible?

Reply

Beas Beas Dec 10, 2009 @ 3:48 am

Hi Kathi, it depends on the type of scar. Things like; is it raised or indented etc are important. I think its best to ask your surgeon or dermatologist for custom advice. All I can tell you is that I used sheets during the night and day when I was home and when not at home I used the gel in addition. Best of luck.

Reply

Frank Frank Nov 8, 2009 @ 11:41 pm

Hi, thanks for you website, it is very thorough and accurate. I am a burn unit nurse for many years and we do use silicone sheets for burns. Recently my baby had stitches for a laceration on his face and I was researching silicone products and ran across your site. I have been applying the sheets and hope to have improvement. You are right in that adherence is difficult on the face, esp. on a toddler. thanks again for the information.

Reply

Beas Beas Nov 19, 2009 @ 5:24 am

Hi Frank, thanks for the kind words. It feels good to get positive feedback on my efforts to provide useful information on scar treatment. I hope your child's scar will heal quickly and nicely. Good luck!

Reply

Beas Beas Nov 2, 2009 @ 9:20 am | in reply to Bri

Hey Bri, sorry for the delayed reply. Its great to hear the polyurethane sheets work so well for you. I hope your scar will improve really well. Thanks very much for letting us know your experiences. This will benefit many others who want to treat their scars effectively. Especially when there has not been done much research on this type of scar treatment. Good luck!

Reply

Bri Bri Oct 24, 2009 @ 11:22 am

hey this is bri and i told you about the polyurethane scar treatment sheets. well i finally had the courage to buy them and i should say that they do in fact work better then the silicone sheets. when i used to use silicone sheets my hypertropic scar would look faded during the day but later on it would get red again. but with the polyurethane sheets (i used elastoplast) my scar is faded to a very light pinkish color through the whole entire day. they do take time, like the silicone sheets, but they are more effective. they are the same price and they feel better on your skin because they are so thin.you have to wear them at least 12 hours a day, but i never had time for that, so i wear them 8 hours a day and they still worked. i have been using them for 2 months now and i continue to see improvement.

Reply

Beas Beas Oct 16, 2009 @ 4:48 am | in reply to sarah

Dear Sarah, I'm sorry to hear your story and wish you all the luck. I hope you can find the strength to regain a positive attitude for your own benefit as well as that of your children. I understand you want the best treatment for your children and that shows me you are a good mother. Concerning the treatment you mention, I would strongly advice you to go to a dermatologist. As far as I know medical science has never reported side effects of silicone scar treatment. (except for an occasional skin rash)

Reply

sarah sarah Oct 14, 2009 @ 5:46 pm

PLEASE HELP ME me an my 2 little girls all got chickenpox an were left with very bad scarring on our faces i didnt really worry so much myself but i worried for their future an i was suffering from depression after just having a baby an getting sick so i really was seeing things alot worse than they were but in my mind i thought that they would hate them selves an it was all my fault so i was determined to make them go away, i was told that i could use a silicone treatment so i bought the gel an the scars started to fade i started to feel better i didnt notice straight away my poor little girls foreheads are so damaged by the treatment it has given them wrinkles on their foreheads an can see the silicone ive tried moisturisers but nothings happening to it i feel like such a bad mother my deppression has come back worse because of this an feel like i have ruined their skin forever an this time it really will be all my fault im starting to feel suicidal over this every time i look at th

Reply

Lori D Lori D Sep 20, 2009 @ 8:35 am

The only silicone sheet available that is professional grade and also thin (more comfortable) is Scar Away. I tried a few without success and then finally found scaraway sheets. Here is my experience. I tried rejuvaness, but it is just piece of rubber...it does not have any stickiness to help it stay on so even when i taped it on, it would slide and fall off. No effect whatsoever on my scar. I tried another sheet (blaines scarcare?) it was so thick and lumpy that it was really uncomfortable and felt itchy. No way I could wear that 12 hours a day!. I was very discouraged. When I went to my doctor for help with my scar, she recommended ScarAway. I used the 7" x 1.5" strips for my C-section scar. The strip was VERY thin and has a nice soft fabric on the outside . I left mine on almost all of the time and each strip lasted longer than the week suggested. The package came with enough for the whole treatment (my doctor recommended 12 weeks). My scar is barely even visible now :)

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steve p steve p Sep 20, 2009 @ 8:12 am

I just went to drugstore.com to order ScarAway silicone scar sheets and found out they have a new 100% silicone gel that does not have any "useless" ingredients like vitamin e. cortizone. etc. So if you are looking for the scienticfically proven silicone only, I am going to use the scaraway sheets in combination with the silicone serum when i am not wearing he sheet. I know I have to wear the sheet 12 or more hours, and will wear the gel the other hours. I read that the longer silicone is in contact with your skin, the better. I also found the scaraway on drugstore.com and amazon.com comes with a free case to keep it in.

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Steve P Steve P Sep 20, 2009 @ 8:01 am

I trd the scarguard brush on, but it dries on your skin like clear nail polish and flakes off within an hour!!! How can it possibly work like that?? Also, alfter that I read a little more about silicone for scars and from the research it says that the gentle pressure to the scar from the actua shhet being on the skin is important. None of the liquids or creams can provide the needed pressure, so I am going with the scaraway brand silicone sheet.

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Beas Beas Sep 9, 2009 @ 2:38 pm | in reply to Nicola

Hi Nicola, I did a quick search and am a little amazed this product isn't available on Amazon.co.uk nor eBay.co.uk. I do know of an American company which ships to the UK but then you pay $15 shipping costs. So you'd better go to your local pharmacy and ask if they sell them there. If they don't they might be able to tell you where you can order them. Good luck!

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Beas Beas Sep 9, 2009 @ 2:25 pm | in reply to Nelson

Hi Nelson, As far as I know the scar patches from the Rejuveness brand are also made of silicones. For more info on non-silicone scar patches check out the section on polyurethane scar dressings on this page. (just above these comments)
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Another, supposedly working, Scar Treatment Product:

Soy Based Scar Treatment Cream

a new scar reducing cream based on soy extract.

Vitamin E and Bio Oil are supposed to be a great remedy for scars. Or onion extract (Mederma). And in a lesser amount Emu oil which is a popular product at the moment. However there is no evidence supporting claims these products work. I have used a vitamin E cream but it didn't do much for me. As far as I know these products don't add to improving scars.

But when I was writing this page I stumbled upon a product that should be working. It's called Hans Schreuder Scar Treatment Cream and is a soy based scar cream.

Japanese research has proved that a high soy consumption delays the obsolescence of the human body. Furthermore; soy extract is known to even out skin texture and tone.

Now as far as I know this cream isn't available in the USA but maybe there are other soy based scar creams on the market.

Squidoo