Can a Silicone Scar Gel Diminish the Appearance of Scarring?

The advantage of a silicone scar gel is that it is invisible while it works. No one wants to draw more attention to a scar during treatment, when that mark is in a very noticeable place, such as the face, forearms, or legs.

Many prefer to avoid medical therapy which would draw additional attention. Surgery, dermabrasion, chemical peels and laser treatments definitely make things look worse before they appear better.

Over-the-counter gels based products can be invisible while at work. And they DO work. Study after study has demonstrated the positive impact of silicone on color and size. Silicone encourages healing, fading and flattening of scars.

Candidates for Scar Gel Treatment

1. Accident and trauma cause scarring. Even a common wound stitched in childhood can remain prominent for decades if not treated. Early use is essential.

2. Plastic surgeons attempt to hide wounds at the hairline and behind ears. But any wound leaves a wound and catty people enjoy noticing plastic surgery remnants.

3. Nose piercing, lip rings and pierced ears frequently develop serious keloid and hypertrophic scarring, which is extremely disfiguring. Treatment should be immediately applied.

4. Burns scars. From the accidental cigarette burn to a kitchen fire or traumatic accident, burns cause deep damage and heaped-up tissue.

5. Acne scars. Since gel based products fade color, they can be most effective at minimizing the appearance of acne marks.

A gel based treatment is available over-the-counter, and must be used early and often. Application twice a day, over several months, has resulted in lessening the appearance of noticeable scars.

There are many different Scar Treatments to choose from. Please Click on the following links to learn more about a variety of available Scar Treatments.]

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Silicone Scar Sheets

Silicone scar sheets are the most cost-effective way to treat raised keloid and hypertrophic scars. Doctors have been using silicone scar sheets for over 20 years. It is currently the only FDA approved treatment for raised scars. The best part is they are safe and they require no surgery or painful steroid injections. In a recent study subjects who wore the sheets for 12 to 24 hours a day, showed a remarkable 56% improvement in their scars. The silicone sheets work best on newly formed scars, though they can improve older ones as well. Sheets can be cut to the appropriate size so they can cover and apply direct pressure to the scar.

Silicone gel sheets are able to change scars in three ways by: improving the texture, lightening the color, and flattening the scar. Although it is not known exactly how the gel pads work, it is hypothesized that though pressure, hydration, and oxygen, the scar sheets are able to improve the appearance of the scar.

The drawback to silicone scar sheets is that they take a really long time to work (from 3 months and up depending on the age of the scar) and must be worn 24 hours a day. Patients must be really vigilant to keep up the routine. Further, because most people are most conscious about scars that are located on visible parts of their body, it may not be practical to wear the sheet outdoors. For this reason, most people prefer to use a silicone gel such as Dermatix outdoors and use the silicone sheet when they are in the privacy of their home.

SiliconeScarSheets has helped prospective patients like you, read about the latest trends and developments in innovative scar technologies using silicone. On our webpage, we review all of the latest keloid and hypertrophic scar treatments.

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What is the Best Treatment to Keloid Scar?

Keloid scar is a form of broken skin, a raised scar which extends outside of the discrete scar. It's often happened as a result of accident, surgery or more commonly from skin piercing. Keloid removal is part of the remedy to scar tissue removal.

Essentially the most generally recognized remedies to Keloid removal may be listed such as: steroid injection, interferon injection, surgery operation, laser treatment, silicone sheets dressing and Cryotheraphy. Nevertheless, amongst all the mentioned methods in treating Keloid scar, the very best combination would be laser surgery and the use of silicone scar sheets.

Although laser scar removal may be expensive, it's recognized to have the best result, the fastest removal time and the shortest healing period. Laser scar treatment makes use of laser to take away the layer of Keloid scar from our skin, once this surgical procedure is completed; we are able to proceed to use the silicone sheets dressing onto the treated area.

Today, silicone is being produced cheaply; additionally it is effective and popular among people who deal with Keloid scar. Silicone sheets or gel for Keloid treatment are to flatten the tissue and fade the color of the Keloid. One other benefit of Silicone is that it is extremely effective in stopping water, wind and other irritants from getting into the wound. It not only smoothes the tissue but also helps keep moisturizing it so to encourage the wound to heal.

Due to this fact, for the most effective treatment to Keloid removal, the combination of laser scar treatment along with silicone sheets dressing are the best way to get rid of Keloid scar.

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Silicone Scarless Healing

There are several types of scars, and several treatment options you can choose from. For the most part, scars can be treated without too much trouble, although keloid scars are quite possibly the most difficult lesions to get rid of because they usually recur.

Keloids are abnormal tissue that extends beyond the area of the initial wound. It's very common for them to keep growing and that's why it is important that you treat them as soon as possible. Keloid scars can be caused by piercings, cuts, and even acne. Keloidal acne scarring is especially devastating because an acne breakout can affect large areas of the face, neck, chest and back. To prevent any kind of acne scar (hypertrophic, atrophic and keloidal) it is important to follow a regular cleansing routine that includes an acne cream.

But, how can you treat scars that keep growing and have a high recurrence rate? Luckily, there are treatment options. These alternatives include a combination of surgery, intralesional corticosteroids, silicone bandages and compression therapy. Surgical excision is quite straightforward. The doctor will study the scar and then decide if to inject corticosteroids into the scar before, during or after surgery to help reduce the chances of recurrence. After surgery, the person will probably be fitted for compression devices.

Compression devices and silicone bandages have shown excellent results with keloid scars. This may be an effective scar treatment because it exerts constant pressure on the wound and keeps it from growing. Doctors are not exactly sure how they work, but studies have shown that compression reduces the production of collagen.

If you are fitted for a compression device you may have to use it for several months or a year before the doctor will allow you to remove it. These devices include garments (gloves, body suits and masks) that must be worn 24 hours a day to produce the desired effects. They may also include zippers or special linings to make their use more comfortable and convenient.

Silicone bandages are often used to achieve scar less healing. They, just as with compression garments, exert pressure for extended periods of time. Silicone bandages can be worn up to 9 hours a day, for several months. These bandages are also hermetic and come in an easy-to-use format. Once you are done using them, you simply discard them. Some people find this format more convenient than pressure garments. Bandages and compression garments can be used to help prevent and treat keloid scars. They are often used to treat smaller keloid scars.

Possible Treatments for Scar

The treatments for scars will vary depending on multiple factors. Scar treatments may include:
Over-the-counter or prescription creams, ointments or gels. These products can be used to treat scars that are caused from surgical incisions or other injuries or wounds. If you are under the care of a plastic surgeon and your scarring is the result of cosmetic or plastic surgery, ask your surgeon for his or her recommendation if over-the-counter treatment is sufficient; otherwise, he or she will prescribe that which best suits your personal case. Oftentimes, treatments can include corticosteroids or certain antihistamine creams for scars that cause itching and are extremely sensitive.

# Likewise, if you are under the care of a dermatologist for severe acne and have scarring as a result of acne, you should ask your doctor for his or her recommendation if you haven't already received it. Your doctor can also recommend or use pressure treatings or silicone gel sheetings to help treat scars or as preventative care.

# Surgical removal or treatment. There are many options to treat deeper wounds and scars depending on your particular case: skin grafts, excision, dermabrasion or laser surgery. You can receive a skin graft, where the surgeon removes skin from another area of your body. This is often used in the case of burn victims. If you've got scarring that impairs function, surgery can help address those problems. Like other surgeries, you and your doctor will determine together if you will have local anesthesia with an oral sedative or general anesthesia that will put you to sleep. If you've recently undergone plastic, cosmetic or other surgery that has caused your scars, it is best that you wait at least one year before making a decision about scar treatment. Many scars fade and become less noticeable over time.

# Injections. In the case of protruding scars such as keloids or hypertrophic, your doctor may elect to use steroid injections. He or she may use this as a stand-alone treatment, or in conjunction with other treatments. Other types of injects, such as collagen injections or other "fillers," may be useful for some types of pitted scarring although these are not usually permanent solutions.

Treat Scars on the Nose

The way in which you treat a scar on the nose is really dependent on the type of scar. For many people with a scar on this area of the face, it's usually a result of acne or chickenpox. Others may experience scarring due to trauma or other medical conditions. Regardless of how the scar formed, it's often possible to reduce its signs with medications and medical procedures. There's even a self-care method that can bring about positive results.

Try massaging the scar. Raised scars can respond favorably to regular massage. You're essentially breaking down scar tissue so that it flattens out with the rest of the skin. This method may take several months to provide results.

Talk to your doctor about corticosteroids. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology recommends corticosteroid injections along raised scars on the skin, causing them to soften and even out with the rest of the skin. Even those affecting the nose can respond to this type of treatment. However, you may need to use a cortisone tape on such a sensitive area.

Invest in a silicone-based gel. This type of treatment is best for raised scars, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Simply apply the solution onto the scar to cause it to soften and flatten with the rest of the skin.

Consider a soft-tissue filler. The Mayo Clinic recommends this type of procedure for acne scars that are sunken into the skin. Collagen or fat can be injected under the scar to level it with the rest of your skin. This is a temporary treatment, as the filler dissipates over time.

Talk to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon about a resurfacing procedure. Both dermabrasion and laser therapy are considered skin resurfacing. They can work on both raised and sunken scars. The top layer of the skin is removed, prompting new skin growth, while the lower layers are stimulated, which can cause the production of collagen. Collagen can firm the skin, reducing the signs of scarring on the nose.

Think about cosmetic surgery. While this is probably the most expensive method of scar removal, you may be able to completely eliminate the appearance of scarring on the nose with cosmetic surgery. Punch grafts use donor skin from another area of the body to replace scarred tissue. A small suture is needed to attach the graft, but it can be less noticeable than the original scar.

Raised Acne Scars

Itching, pain and discomfort are often part and parcel of the raised acne scars that linger after acne lesions have vanished. The American Academy of Dermatology states that some raised scars (keloids) may even increase in size. When deciding on the correct method to use in treating raised acne scars, your dermatologist will consider how long you've had the scar, as well as its size and placement on your body.

The AAD notes that there are two types of raised acne scars, keloids and hypertrophic scars. Keloids, which are usually large with a thick, banded texture, usually form on the chest, shoulders, upper back and earlobes and may grow past their boundaries. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology states that hypertrophic scars resemble keloids but are more common, remain the same size and can go away in time. Keloids are more common in darker-skinned individuals of African, Asian and Latino descent. Hypertrophic scars can affect anyone, regardless of racial group.

Intralesional Injections
The AAD indicates that the first treatment method for raised acne scars is to inject them with corticosteroids or interferon. A series of injections is usually given at two- or three-week intervals. The AOCD indicates that while hypertrophic scars usually respond to this treatment, keloids are far more challenging, and have a high rate of return in individuals with a family history of keloids. According to the AAD, if the scar doesn't show signs of improvement after four injections, another treatment method may be considered: acne scar surgery.

Surgical Treatment
An in-office surgical procedure in conjunction with follow-up treatments may be advised for raised scars. The AAD indicates that subsequent to excising the scar, various methods may be used to prevent the scar from coming back, such as application of a pressure dressing, corticosteroid or interferon injections and, in the most severe cases, X-ray treatments. Because between 45 and 100 percent of keloids return after surgery, the AAD indicates that injections of corticosteroids prior to surgery is often used to prevent keloid regrowth.

Other Medical Treatments
The AAD states that an increasing number of dermatologists use pulsed-dye laser (PDL) or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment to address raised acne scars. Again, to prevent keloids from returning, injections of corticosteroids or application of a pressure garment may be advised. Cryotherapy employs the application of liquid nitrogen to "freeze" scars. The AAD indicates that a combination of cryotherapy in conjunction with corticosteroid injections often gives the most marked results. Prescription topical corticosteroid and trentinoin may also be applied to the scar to reduce its size and appearance.

Over-the-Counter Treatments
Silicone creams, gels and strips are available at most drugstores and pharmacies. The AAD indicates that these can slightly flatten raised scars if used daily over a long period of time. Silicone may also assuage the itching and tenderness associated with hypertrophic scars and keloids. The AAD states that many patients prefer applying topical creams rather than risk undesirable side effects of more invasive medical scar treatments. However, over-the-counter products won't get rid of the scars entirely.

Embarrassing scars

When skin is burned, cut, scraped, or otherwise injured, special cells called fibroblasts produce a substance called collagen to fill and close the wound. Collagen is a tough, fiber-like protein that makes up the most part of scar tissue. Collagen exists in normal skin, too, but in scar tissue, collagen fibers are more numerous and more haphazardly arranged. This is why scars can appear discolored or otherwise noticeable to the eye. Scars change over time. Some fade on their own, though this may take months to years, while others gradually change color and/or shape.

It's not possible to completely remove a scar, but a few treatments might help make your scars less noticeable Onion Extract acts as an anti-inflammatory and seems to inhibit the over-production of collagen in a scar. Onion extract is available in the United States as a gel by itself, but is also an ingredient in Mederma gel, a widely used scar treatment that you referred to in your question. Onion extract, by itself or as part of another course of treatment, requires consistent use over several months in order to produce any effect.

Silicone, available either as a gel or in rubber-like sheets, has been found to lighten and flatten scars. You apply the gel directly to the scar or use medical tape to cover the scar with the silicone sheet. It isn't known exactly how silicone helps scars heal — some researchers think that static electricity from the silicone helps align collagen fibers in the scar, while others think it might help trap moisture, which can help make scars fade.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are natural fruit acids that are used to exfoliate (remove) dead skin cells. This process can improve the appearance of acne scars and reduce redness, as well as wrinkles and signs of aging. If you decide to use alpha hydroxy, investigate the various strengths and use the mildest. For people with sensitive skin, alpha hydroxy can cause irritation, stinging, and other problems. A health care provider or dermatologist can advise you on which types and concentrations of alpha hydroxy acids you can try.