There are endless treatments for scars - lotions and gels, ointments and injections. They’re stuffed into pharmacy aisles and online inventories alike, promising fast results and easy healing. However, two of these treatments manage to keep those promises.
Silicone creams and silicone sheets counter the effects of scarring. They both relieve inflammation while also decreasing rigidity and improving elasticity. They also both deliver concentrated polymers to the skin, improving its appearance, texture, and collagen responses. This makes them ideal for treatment - but which is best?
What is Silicone’s Effect on Scars?
Silicone proves essential in the healing process. It infuses the skin with key amines (organic nitrogen-based compounds) to maintain proper hydration and oxygenation levels. It also interrupts the body’s excessive collagen composition, stabilizing levels to reduce the build-up of tissue. This ensures that scars heal quickly and minimizes their overall appearance.
Read More: Scar Healing
What is Silicone Cream?
Silicone cream, as its name suggests, is a spreadable topical formulation fortified with silicone. It allows for direct skin contact, with individuals applying it to their scar sites. This introduces amines into the body and expedites healing.
Read More: Silicone Creams
What is a Silicone Sheet?
A silicone sheet is an adhesive product. It’s a two-sided design similar to a bandage that combines a latex shell with silicone gel padding. This padding rests against the scar and delivers steady nutrients throughout the day. It’s typically reusable.
Read More: Silicone Sheets
Which is Best: Silicone Creams or Silicone Sheets
The effectiveness of silicone creams and sheets are undeniable. Both products, according to studies conducted by Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe, a member of the Feinberg School of Medicine, promote accelerated healing within the body and reduce the effects of scarring. They’re useful against keloids, hypertrophic scars, contractures, and more. However, one does offer distinct advantages over the other.
Silicone creams are more efficient for daily use. Their lightweight formulas absorb directly into the skin, rather than requiring adhesives (which can roll, twist, or come undone.) Cream is easily used with other topical options such as sun block, make-up, moisturizers, or cleansers, and they’re undetectable. It’s also easily applied to facial areas, where sheets often prove cumbersome. These benefits make them ideal for the treatment of new and old scars alike.
Read More: New and Old Scars
Consult With a Physician
Silicone creams offer the same advantages as silicone sheets, but are much easier to use. Some individuals, however, may require more extensive procedures to treat their scars - such as dermabrasion, micro-needling, chemical peels, facial revisions, and more. Be sure to consult with a physician if you have a very complex scar.
Read More: Scar Treatments
Silicone scar products are the gold standard in scar therapy. This makes them perfect for treating inflammation, rigidity, and more.
Have a question about silicone creams, sheets, or other options? Leave us a comment! We’ll be happy to provide more information. Subscribe to Scars and Spots to get our posts delivered to your inbox.
which company and brand should i use for silicon gel and silicon sheet too ?? and what is the cost of it ?
Hi Priyanka, InviCible Scars has silicone cream among its ingredients.
Hi,
Would using scar gel or silicone gel sheets fade away the colour of my tattoo? My scar is on my tattoo but I like the tattoo and not the scar!!!!
Thanks
Silicone doesn’t fade scars, it only softens and hydrates them, so silicone sheets/gel won’t fade your tattoo.
I’m senior Anaesthesialogist. Recently I met with road side accident causing soft tissue injury to my right leg resulting avulsion of skin. Underwent 3times skin graft. It took about three and half months to heal as graft was not taken up over the ankle joint. Now I have hypertrophic scar at four to five places of grafted areas. To prevent swelling of leg surgeon advised me to wear compression stocking for many hours. He said it will reduce the elevated scars also. I’m delighted.
My dermatologist friend advised me to apply silicon gel which definitely flattens the elevated scars leading to quality life.
My curiosity is whether it will happen so? Whether I can wear compression stocking or Crepe bandage two hours after application of silicon gel during night hours?
Please advise.
Hi Dr. Modi, Silicone is the gold standard in topical scar therapy so you should see some improvement with prolonged use. It’s very difficult to predict how much improvement though. Yes, you can wear compressive garments after application.
Hello, Everyone!
I got a cut on my arm in November’16 month and had 7 stitches. then I went for plastic surgery on 5th January’17. Now the scars are getting darker than it was before plastic surgery. Will silicone gel help this scars to get lighter or to be removed permanently? What to do now? Please help
Hi Rashmi, yes silicone gel with Vitamin C can help to fade them. No scar can be removed permanently, but they can be reduced and minimized in their appearance.
Sir,,, on my face acne pits, acne pits is old 3-4yers,,,, sir plz suggest me,,, how I can feel it’s,,,,, silicon gel ya cream, and how I can use this at home,,, plz suggest me,,,
Hi Ankut, for pitting you would need to see a dermatologist who could recommend treatments that are non-invasive that can help. There isn’t a topical cream that works on an indented scar.