When searching online for effective scar treatment products, it’s tempting to go with the cheapest product available. But cheapest isn’t always the best when it comes to proper wound care—quality is what you should be after. Lubricating jelly is one such product that can be found online for a cheap price, but does it really do anything for your scar? There is currently no reliable research that indicates lube to be an effective treatment option for scar therapy. On the other hand, medical-grade silicone for scar management is backed by over 30 years of clinical evidence. When it comes to your skin, it’s important to do research or ask your physician for the best options available.
Continue reading to learn why lube is a poor choice for scar care and why you should opt for medical-grade, topical silicone gel instead.
Topical lube and how it compares to silicone scar gel
Topical lube is a general term for a collection of different types of personal lubricants and lubricating jelly for bodily use. Lube is made from synthetic silicones which are created when silicon and oxygen molecules are combined to form a chain or link. At first glance, lube may appear similar to topical silicone gel for scars. There are two main differences, however. Topical lube is formulated to create less friction on the body part or object that it’s applied to. It’s designed to temporarily remain on the body for a short duration of use. Silicone gel for scars, on the other hand, is meant to adhere to the skin throughout the duration of the day. Silicone gel is also designed to increase dermal hydration and thereby reduce the inflammation of scar tissue. The second difference is that most lube on the market are not medical-grade, meaning they aren’t held to the same standards of biocompatibility as medical silicone gel products are. Medical silicone for scars is backed by over 30 years of clinical testing; the same can’t be said for lube.
Lube should not be applied to scars for the simple fact that it wasn’t designed for scars. Scars need an optimal healing environment of moisture and oxygen to generate a desired outcome for the patient. To achieve this ideal environment, also known as homeostasis, the scar site needs to be covered for a long duration of time (12-24 hours per day). This process of covering the scar bed needs to be repeated for two to three months or until the patient sees favorable results. Lube is a poor candidate for these requirements because of its slick consistency and propensity to stain clothing. Many scars that result from surgery or injury can be quite large. Using large amounts of lube for your scar will do nothing for the scar healing process but create a slippery mess.
The verdict
The obvious choice here is to go with silicone gel technology instead of lube, given that lube isn’t designed to treat scars. When it comes to scar therapy, you want a product that is durable, clinically-proven, and doctor-recommended. Silicone gel comes in several different variations, each of which is suited to different scar sizes and locations. Silicone gel sheets come in different shapes and sizes and are a great option for specific cosmetic surgery procedures like breast lifts or tummy tucks. Silicone scar sticks, on the other hand, are a great option for small to medium scars on the face, arms, or legs. Silicone sticks also come with SPF 15 to protect your scar against harmful UV rays from the sun. And the best part: silicone gel for scars is affordable and easy to obtain online or through your physician.
Continue reading to learn why lube is a poor choice for scar care and why you should opt for medical-grade, topical silicone gel instead.
Topical lube and how it compares to silicone scar gel
Topical lube is a general term for a collection of different types of personal lubricants and lubricating jelly for bodily use. Lube is made from synthetic silicones which are created when silicon and oxygen molecules are combined to form a chain or link. At first glance, lube may appear similar to topical silicone gel for scars. There are two main differences, however. Topical lube is formulated to create less friction on the body part or object that it’s applied to. It’s designed to temporarily remain on the body for a short duration of use. Silicone gel for scars, on the other hand, is meant to adhere to the skin throughout the duration of the day. Silicone gel is also designed to increase dermal hydration and thereby reduce the inflammation of scar tissue. The second difference is that most lube on the market are not medical-grade, meaning they aren’t held to the same standards of biocompatibility as medical silicone gel products are. Medical silicone for scars is backed by over 30 years of clinical testing; the same can’t be said for lube.
Lube should not be applied to scars for the simple fact that it wasn’t designed for scars. Scars need an optimal healing environment of moisture and oxygen to generate a desired outcome for the patient. To achieve this ideal environment, also known as homeostasis, the scar site needs to be covered for a long duration of time (12-24 hours per day). This process of covering the scar bed needs to be repeated for two to three months or until the patient sees favorable results. Lube is a poor candidate for these requirements because of its slick consistency and propensity to stain clothing. Many scars that result from surgery or injury can be quite large. Using large amounts of lube for your scar will do nothing for the scar healing process but create a slippery mess.
The verdict
The obvious choice here is to go with silicone gel technology instead of lube, given that lube isn’t designed to treat scars. When it comes to scar therapy, you want a product that is durable, clinically-proven, and doctor-recommended. Silicone gel comes in several different variations, each of which is suited to different scar sizes and locations. Silicone gel sheets come in different shapes and sizes and are a great option for specific cosmetic surgery procedures like breast lifts or tummy tucks. Silicone scar sticks, on the other hand, are a great option for small to medium scars on the face, arms, or legs. Silicone sticks also come with SPF 15 to protect your scar against harmful UV rays from the sun. And the best part: silicone gel for scars is affordable and easy to obtain online or through your physician.
Biodermis is an innovative market leader with 30 years of expertise in the medical silicone industry. Visit Biodermis.com today to explore a complete range of scar management and post-operative care solutions.
PHYSICIANS AND MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS: REFER OR RESELL?
Biodermis offers custom tailored referral programs designed to simplify and reduce the cost of your patients' post-op care. Additionally, we offer professional pricing if you opt to retail our products. Give us a call at 800.322.3729, and we will be happy to provide additional details on these programs.
