Silicone sheeting and silicone ointment are two forms of medical-grade silicone used topically to flatten and reduce the appearance of scars. Silicone for scar therapy was introduced over 30 years ago and numerous clinical studies support its efficacy. Keloids and hypertrophic scars, and scars resulting from burns, acne, or surgical procedures are good candidates for silicone treatments. But because silicone comes in several different forms, how do you know which one is right for you?

Continue reading to learn if silicone sheeting or silicone gel is better for your scar.

Skin hydration and homeostasis
Doctors agree that silicone, when applied topically to a scar, mimics the occlusion properties of the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the skin that helps maintain skin hydration and flexibility. When a person sustains a wound, the skin’s hydration mechanism can be disrupted and the oxygen and moisture balance in the skin becomes volatile. The ideal oxygen and moisture balance is called homeostasis. To induce hydration and maintain homeostasis of the skin after trauma, silicone can be applied to facilitate a healthy wound-repair response. Topical silicone is semi-permeable, so it allows the user to maintain the perfect balance of oxygen and moisture retention at the scar site.

Collagen regulation
Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in the bodies of most mammals, and plenty of it is present in our skin. When a person sustains a wound, fibroblasts and keratinocytes in the dermis signal collagen production to promote the growth factor and repair the damaged tissue. The skin is constantly producing new collagen, but trauma causes skin cells to go into overdrive and produce excessive amounts of it. This is what causes raised and discolored scarring. Topical silicone regulates collagen production by inhibiting the growth factor and preventing the overgrowth of scar tissue.

Two types of scars most characterized by the overproduction of collagen are keloid and hypertrophic scar formations. Keloids appear as ropey growths on the skin that branch out past the initial wound site. Hypertrophic scars are raised and bumpy, but don’t expand beyond the limits of the wound. Both scar types can be red or purple in appearance and are typically itchy and painful. Topical silicone is an effective treatment option to prevent or reduce the appearance of these scars by hydrating the skin and controlling collagen production.

Silicone gel sheeting is a solidified form of silicone that is elastic and has a soft, rubbery texture. These sheets come in square, circular, or rectangular shapes, making them ideal for a variety of different scar sizes. Each sheet or bandage has a tacky backing, allowing for a gentle adhesion that sticks to the skin and covers the entire scar site. Silicone gel sheets are reusable and can be washed with soap and water to expand their lifespan for up to two weeks or more.

Silicone sheeting is the optimal solution for scars resulting from burns, breast reduction surgery, tummy tucks, or C-sections. A typical treatment cycle recommended for optimal results is 8 to 12 weeks. You can apply silicone sheeting to your scar as soon as your wound has healed or the sutures have been removed from your incision. Immature scars that are younger than 12 to 18 months are good candidates for silicone treatment, but improvements can still be made with mature scars.

Silicone ointments