The best, and actually only proven effective, risk-free, treatment for raised scars is topical silicone gel sheeting. In this study, published in Dermatologic Surgery in 2001 researchers conclude:

Topical silicone gel sheeting, with a 20-year history of satisfaction in dermatology, now appears to be useful in the prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids in patients undergoing scar revision.

Also other studies confirm such claims. This type of therapy has been used for a few decades now, initially in burn centers and hospitals.

Not only to prevent excessive scar formation but to improve cosmetic appearance as well. Some dermatologists and other medical professionals refer to silicone sheeting as ‘The Golden Standard in Scar Treatment’.

Steroid Injections
Another treatment for raised scars that works is the, more invasive, use of steroid injections. Generally multiple injections are required to get the desired effect.

Downside are the possible side effects. Such steroid injections (e.g. Kenalog) may deform the scar and surrounding skin by causing dents (skin atrophy). Other complications include; lightening of the skin (hypopigmentation), and red spots on the skin (telangiectasia).

Because of these side effects and the non-invasive character of silicone gel sheeting it is often recommended to use these. Most scars improve upon using this modality.

Raised Scars
Raised scars can be white, red, purple, or even darker colored. The most common types of raised scars are keloids and hypertrophic scars. Hypertrophic scars are more common then keloids. The elevation of scar tissue is a result of excessive fibroblast creation. Fibroblasts are connective tissue cells the body creates to repair the wound.

• Keloids
  Keloids only occur in 10% of people. They look like mounds growing above the skin surface. Sometimes they are mistaken for benign tumors. Their symptoms are itchiness, pain, unusual sensations, redness and skin pigmentation. They grow out of the normal boundaries and can be triggered by wounds, pimples, insect bites, tattoos, and even simple scratches. Keloids are hard to treat effectively and recurrence is typical. These scars are often treated with combinations of laser therapy, steroid injections, and silicone sheets. As a last resort surgery can be performed but more scar tissue may form afterwards.
• Hypertrophic Scars
  Hypertrophic scars have a slightly similar appearance but do not grow as big as keloids. They may restrict movement when located close to a joint. They are more likely to fade in time, generally within 1 or 2 years. This type of scar tissue may develop into keloid scar tissue in some people. Therefore preventive treatment is recommended. (Surgical) wounds are commonly covered with paper tape to reduce wound tension and thus minimize scar tissue creation. (and the risk on keloid development) Scars (wounds that have closed) can be treated effectively by pressure therapy (garments) and silicone gel sheets.

How Do Silicones Work?
Silicones are thought to act by downregulating fibroblast creation thus reducing the amount of collagen deposit in the tissue. They are theorized (their precise method of action isn’t clear yet) to mimic the occlusive barrier function of healthy skin thus increasing hydration.

Hydration seems to be essential in improving (raised) scars therefore it is recommended to keep the scar and surrounding skin hydrated.

They can also improve the appearance of burn and contracture scars.

My Experiences With Silicones for Scars.
I have used silicone sheets myself on the several scars I had when I had been stabbed and needed surgery to safe my life. The sheets made my scars smoother, less itchy, flat, and more skin colored. I therefore recommend ScarAway .

You can also use a silicone gel cream such as ScarAway Serum or Kelo-cote scar gel. A gel is more convenient and once applied is less obvious which makes it more useful to wear during the day. (in case your scar is not covered by clothes.)

Sheets, also known as pads or patches seem to be slightly more effective though. I myself used both. Sheets at night and the gel during daytime.

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How I Got My Scars

After being attacked and stabbed a few years ago I ended up on the intensive care in a local hospital. A coronary artery had to be closed surgically to save my life. In order to stop the accumulation of blood within my chest (hemothorax) the surgeons had to open up my chest just like they do with open heart surgery.

Apart from the large vertical (thoractomy) scar on my chest due to the surgery I also had cut scars on my face, neck and lower back as a result of the attack. Once back at home and recovering I was determined to do anything in my power to fade the scars as much as possible. Since my scars were new I didn’t want to get surgery or other invasive treatments. So I asked myself, ‘how to get rid of these scars at home?’ And thus I started my search for an over-the-counter scar product that actually works.

Finding Out Which Over-The-Counter Scar Product Actually Works

Following the advice of my general practitioner as well as a surgeon I started using all kinds of products. After a while I had learned by trial and error that most scar creams like Mederma, Bio Oil or Calendulan are not effective. At least they were not for me. Apart from that I now knew that there are as much different opinions on scar treatment as there are different products. I was disappointed that the level of education concerning scar treatment among medical personnel was this low. I thought that there must be something that works. If only a little bit.

That’s why I started reading articles on scar treatment and contacted several cosmetic clinics to ask for advice. The cosmetic surgeon of one of the clinics told me that the best scar cream available was Zeraderm. (If I’m correct it’s not available in the US.) This is a silicone cream that lays a thin film over the scar. This led me also on the discovery of so called silicone sheets. These are made of the same material as the silicone gel but seemed to work even better.

“silicone sheeting has certainly come out as one of the best ways to deal with fresh and chronic scars” (Aesthetic Plast Surg, 1994; 18: 307-13).

Using Silicone Sheets

After ordering the silicone sheets and the gel I started using them immediately.This took some dedication because the sheets have to be worn at least 16 hours a day, every day. When a particular sheet (or patch as they are called also) has been worn for a few days it gets less adhesive.

I used silk tape to make sure the sheets sticked to my skin. Sometimes, e.g. when sweating or during physical exercise the sheets and silk tape let loose despite the tape. So I had to reattach them. I mainly used the sheets and the gel only when I was not able to use the sheets. I found the gel especially suitable for areas not covered by clothes when I was out in public. This because the gel seems to be less effective.

But the good thing was that I noticed a very slight improvement already after a few days. The scars became softer. This motivated me to go on with this treatment. Already after several weeks I could see my scars fade to a less red, less thick and softer state.

Conclusion

So concluding, the ultimate scar treatment requires a fair amount of time and dedication. This is the reality, the stories about creams that will fade scars almost completely only by applying them twice a day are just not true.

But the good thing is that when you are dedicated and disciplined to use the products day in day out and have the patience to maintain during a few months you will eventually get an optimal result. My scars faded to a huge extent. Not only did they become almost skin color instead of the red color they were. They also are flat and soft and do not itch anymore.

Silicone Sheeting Brands

There are differences between silicone scar product brands. The so called medical grade products contain higher quality concentrations of silicones and have better adhesive qualities. An example of such a medical grade brand is ScarAway.

ScarAway silicone sheets are the only scar sheets with the patented Silon technology. This is the same technology recommended by plastic surgeons and used in hospitals and burn centers. This Silon technology was made available for the consumer market in 2002 by Pfizer Inc. under the name Neosporin Scar Solution

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There’s a plethora of commercially available home remedies for scars. Think about scar creams based on vitamin E or onion extract like Mederma, Bio Oil, cocoa butter, Aloe Vera, cucumber butter, lime juice, skin remodeling copper peptides and so on.


The superabundance of positive online reviews and upbeat testimonials would indicate these remedies to be helpful in the struggle to reduce scars.


However, considered from a scientific perspective, there’s only one type of home remedy that is proven effective. With proven effective I mean backed by science.



Silicone Gel Sheeting
This is the type of home remedy I am talking about: silicones for scars. Several clinical trials and other studies [1],[2] have demonstrated that silicone gel sheeting prevents the development of problematic scars. It has also shown to be an effective home remedy for keloid and hypertrophic scars.




Silicone gel sheets significantly and clinically improved the appearance of scars. More specific; this remedy makes red, raised, stiff scars more skin colored, softer, pliable, and flat. Also the anti-itch and pain reducing abilities have been proven by studies. It will not surprise that silicone sheets, recommended by many plastic surgeons, burn centers and dermatologists, are called ‘the golden standard in scar treatment’. However early treatment is ideal, silicone gel sheets may also be beneficial for older scars



Medical grade honey for wound care
Wound healing, which can be a of major influence on scarring, can get a real boost when wound care products based on medical-grade honey are used.

A review in which 22 clinical trials were evaluated concluded that honey minimizes scarring, removes infected and dead tissue and speeds healing by stimulating new tissue growth. Some researchers even suspect this type of honey to have beneficial effects when applied directly on scars but at present there’s no research done.

A 1996 preliminary study from India showed that burns treated with honey healed sooner than those treated with conventional methods (petrolatum and gauze) and that scarring was reduced. (6.2% of the 450 patients treated ended up with scars compared to 19.7% of the same number of patients who received conventional treatment)



Conclusion
When we rely on medical science we can conclude that the best home remedies for scars are silicone gel sheets (or gels) and, in case of wound care, medical grade honey dressings. Recently, FDA approved medical grade honey dressings have become available on the consumer market.

More on how silicone gel sheeting works. The best brands to buy, and Medihoney wound care products.

[1] Topical treatments for hypertrophic scars Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology – Volume 55, Issue 6 (December 2006)
[2] Evolution of Silicone Therapy and Mechanism of Action in Scar Management by Dr. Thomas A. Mustoe Aesth Plast Surg (2008) 32:82–92 link (.pdf)

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Silicones do work on various types of scars. They are the only proven effective OTC products available. This treatment, commonly referred to as ‘The Golden Standard in Scar Treatment’ is non-invasive and easy to use. But how do they work?

Various theories circulate on the mechanism of silicone scar sheets and gels. Some state that the scar improving effects are due to pressure administered by the sheets. Others say that the reduced elevation and redness of scars are the result of a static electric field created by the silicones.

But there’s no evidence these assumptions are right. Also theories on improved oxygen supply, or an increased blood flow as a result of administering silicones have not been proven. Hydration does seem to play a major role but there’s more to it than simply moisturizing scar tissue.

According to various experts it is occlusion which is the key to the efficacy of silicone scar treatment. To understand we have to take a closer look at the water retaining function of the skin.

Healthy skin conserves water and functions as a barrier to microbial infection. The outermost layer of the skin (stratum corneum) normally contains water and is responsible for water conservation, but its function is disrupted when the skin is damaged.

“After a full-thickness wound, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) is increased and can take longer than 1 year to recover to basal levels. In addition, this water loss (TEWL) is greater with hypertrophic scars and keloids than with atrophic scars or normal skin [1].”

Water loss caused by skin injury leads to dehydration of the tissue which, on its turn, is thought to stimulate the production of small proteins (cytokines). These proteins are theorized to lead to changes in the skin (dermis) and increased scar tissue creation (collagen production) by cells that play a major role in wound healing (fibroblasts).

Although application of silicone sheeting to skin causes hydration of the stratum corneum, the extent of hydration is less than that produced by a plastic film, and the increase in hydration compared with normal skin decreases after repeated treatment [2].

These results have been interpreted to suggest that the semi-occlusive nature of silicone gel sheeting improves scars by providing adequate but not excessive hydration [2]. A plausible explanation for the mechanism of action of silicone-based products, therefore, is that occlusion causes a decrease in TEWL and normalizes the hydration  state of keratinocytes, which then signal dermal fibroblasts to downregulate extracellular matrix production.[3]

Or in other, less technical words, silicone sheeting is thought to provide the exact right amount of occlusion which restores the water balance in the skin and scar tissue. Certain processes in the scar tissue are more balanced out which results in less abnormal scar tissue creation.

[1] Suetake T, Sasai S, Zhen YX, Ohi T, Tagami H (1996) Functional analyses of the stratum corneum in scars: Sequential studies after injury and comparison among keloids, hypertrophic scars, and atrophic scars. Arch Dermatol 132:1453–1458

[2]Suetake T, Sasai S, Zhen YX, Tagami H (2000) Effects of silicone gel sheet on the stratum corneum hydration. Br J Plast Surg 53:503–507

[3] Evolution of Silicone Therapy and Mechanism of Action in Scar Management Thomas A. Mustoe. Aesth Plast Surg (2008) 32:82–92

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Cuts, and abrasions as a result of bumps and falls are a natural part of children’s lives. Many times the wounds are superficial but in some cases stitches or sutures are needed. In these cases, as well as in case of lacerations and chicken pox, parents may become concerned about scars. Children may become self-conscious. Especially when a child’s scar is located on a prominent location such as the face. Read on to learn about the best way to treat scars on children.

Here are some things for parents to know:

Scabs
Children are known to pick off scabs. This should be avoided if possible. In fact, scabs should best be prevented at all. Scabs contribute to scar creation. After a scab has fallen off the scar commonly stays red and bumpy for a while (this redness may last for a few months). When a wound is kept covered and moist it won’t scab, and heal more quickly which diminishes the risk on scarring. More info here.

Effective Treatment
The best non-invasive option available are silicone sheets or gels. Silicones have demonstrated to help to reduce itch, pain and sensitivity and render scars flat, soft and
supple. Especially useful for kids who are more prone to keloids such as children with dark skin because silicones help preventing such scars.

Difficulties
A difficulty of using silicone sheets on children is adherence. Silicone sheets can be difficult to keep attached. Especially in toddlers because they are so movable. I commonly recommend using ScarAway sheets but for young children you might want to use Cica Care sheetsbecause these are stickier.

Another solution is to use a silicone gel cream (a liquid that dries to a thin transparent film). According to medical evidence these ointments are (slightly?) less effective than sheets or patches. According to many this is because sheets apply pressure but medical science isn’t convinced about that. Here’s a list of commercially available silicone gel creams.

Polyurethane Dressings and Pressure Garments
Other over the counter products backed by clinical evidence are polyurethane dressings (although less evidence available and probably slightly less effective), and compression garments (the formerly used method, especially in case of burn scars)

Other Measures
Gently massaging on and around the location of the scar tissue is thought improve circulation, which should minimize scarring. Massage is also used to make surly tissue more supply and pliable.

Don’t forget to protect your child’s scar against sunshine with sunscreen and/or clothing. This is important because UV radiation will worsen the scar and may reduce the distortion of skin color and texture. Thin clothing only has a very low SPF so in most cases sunblock is a must. It is commonly recommended to apply sun block on the area for a prolonged period. Some dermatologists recommend to apply sunblock every day for a year because scar tissue pigments differently. Sometimes it’s the change in pigmentation that is more visible than the scar itself.

A popular product is Mederma for Kids. Although there’s minimal evidence this onion-extract based product really fades scars, there is a vast amount of positive anecdotal reports. But this is also the case for vitamin E oil.

Avoid Vitamin E Oil
Pure vitamin E oil, e.g. from capsules should be avoided. Especially when wounds or scars are fresh. Studies have shown vitamin E oil to cause rash or other skin irritation in about one third of the test persons. In the worst case this may worsen scar appearance.

Do children scar more easily?
Well, the opinions differ. I think they don’t, except for the fact that they may be injured more easily because it’s a part of growing up. I guess it depends on the severity, depth, of the wound and the healing process. Also genetics are of major influence because the tendency to scar is hereditary. On the other hand I think wounds and scars tend to heal more quickly in children and thus scar appearance may be less prominent. This because children have a young, elastic, and resilient skin.

Upcoming innovative medicine designed to prevent surgical scars
In the near future a new medicine designed to prevent post-surgery in children will be launched. Read more about it here.

Photo by wsilver

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Biodermis, Epi-derm silicone scar sheets are made of medical-grade silicones. These doctor-approved scar treatment products are used by hospitals, cosmetic surgeons, burn care practitioners, dermatologists, and other health care professionals.

They are FDA and C.E. (Europe) approved, breathable and permeable which is important because sheets that don’t allow oxygen to pass through may cause maceration. Silicone sheets are clinically proven to be a safe and effective scar treatment option. Epi-Derm sheets are also used for burn scar treatment.

How to use Biodermis Epi-Derm sheets? For optimal results they must be applied for a minimum of 12 hours per day for a period of 8-12 weeks.

Does using Biodermis Epiderm sheets bring side effects? All silicone sheets may cause skin rash although this happens rarely. This is very normal since any topical skin agent may potentially cause contact dermatitis (rash). If this occurs discontinue using Epi-Derm. The only exception is if you develop excessive moisture beneath the sheets which may lead to skin maceration which on its turn could predispose you to a fungal infection.

Are Biodermis silicone sheets any good? Some silicone brands are better than others. Some people gain better results with a certain brand than others. This may depend on skin type, humid or dry climates, and many other circumstances. Biodermis is a quality brand. What also makes it stand out is that Biodermis offers a variety of pre-cut, special shaped sheets. This way there is no need to cut them into the appropriate size yourself.

Studies mentioning Biodermis Epi-derm silicone sheets.
Study comparing the results of Epi-derm with Contractubex. Conclusion:
“Silicone products, either in gel or sheet, are superior to Contractubex® in the treatment of the hypertrophic scar.” Source: burnsjournal.com

Where to buy Biodermis Epi-derm sheets? They can be ordered online at MakeMeHeal and Amazon.

Here’s some info on the various sizes and shapes Biodermis sheets are available in:

Sizes and Shapes of the Biodermis Epi-derm products

Small silicone Patch (size: 5 x 6 cm / 2 x 2.5 in) The patches are only a few inches (max) and are ideal for preventing and treating small hypertrophic and keloid scars. Epitabs are small round and square shaped patches and are the smallest within the Biodermis range.

Standard Silicone gel sheet (size: 12 x 14.5 cm / 4.7 x 5.7 in) Best for mid-sized hypertrophic and keloid scars. Here’s a YouTube video on standard Biodermis Epi-Derm silicone sheets

Large Silicone gel sheet (size: 28 x 40 cm / 11 x 15.75 in) A full-sized sheet, ideal for the reduction of post-burn scarring. Can be wrapped around a limb or cover large scar areas on the torso.

Silicone Gel Strip (size 3.5 x 29 cm / 1.4 x 11.5 in) Strips are recommended for surgical scars such as C-section, tummy tuck, and heart surgery scars. Take a close look at the Biodermis Epi-derm strip in this video.

C strips are specially made for C-section and hysterectomy scars. (size: 3.6 x 15 cm/ 1.4 x 6 in)

Mastopexy shaped gel sheet. (size 32.0 x 9.6 cm / 12.6 x 3.8 in) The Mastopexy form is ideal for breast reduction (mammoplasty) and breast reconstruction surgery, and can be cut to size. Pairs of mastopexy forms and pairs of areola circles are sold separately.

Areopexy shaped sheets. Recommended for the “Lollipop” shaped scar as a result of the Lejour surgical technique used in areola reconstruction, breast reconstruction and breast reduction surgery. Sold in pairs. Can be cut to size.

Areola Circles (size: 7.6 x 1.9 cm / 3 x .75 in) Ideally dimensioned for small hypertrophic and keloid scars resulting from areola reconstruction and breast augmentation surgery. Watch this vid for an indication on how to apply special shaped breast surgery circle shaped silicones. Short video on breast surgery silicone patches

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Keloids (keloidal scars) are thick, lumpy, and grow beyond the borders of the original wound site. Contrary to other scars keloids commonly appear approximately two months after injury.

They may continue to grow and thus cover relatively large areas of skin. They can be itchy and painful. Keloid scar treatment generally is time consuming because they are difficult to treat effectively.

Healthcare professionals make a distinction between minor and major keloids. A minor keloid is a focally raised, itchy scar that extends over normal tissue. It may develop up to one year after injury and does not reduce in size without treatment. A major keloid grows over normal tissue and can continue to extend for years.

There aren’t many over-the-counter keloid scar treatment options because of the low response of this type of scar tissue to treatment. Actually the only home remedy would be silicone sheeting.

However results of silicone sheeting as a keloid treatment are inconstant. Some keloids regress while in other cases silicone sheeting has little to no effect on keloid scars. I guess the best chance on removing a keloid with silicones is to start treating it as it is still small. Silicones are also used as a prevention measure.

When silicone sheeting doesn’t work steroid injections (also referred to as intralesional steroids or corticosteroids) might offer a solution. Although this treatment is relatively safe it can be slightly painful. There are also some possible side effects. The scar may become depressed (skin atrophy), discolorization, and increased scar redness might occur. Steroid injections are usually given each 4 to 6 weeks until the keloid has flattened.

Sometimes steroid injections are administered in conjunction with laser treatment and cryotherapy (freezing). Cryotherapy is done with liquid nitrogen. This treatment may flatten keloid scars but often darkens the tissue.

The problem with surgical keloid treatment is that this type of scar has such a tenacious tendency to grow back. Another problem is that regularly an even bigger keloid may form.

Estimates on recurrence rates vary but are approximately between 45 to 100%. source “When used in combination with steroids the recurrence rate is much better – less than 50%.” (Berman and Bieley, 1995, Urioste, Arndt and Dover, 1999).

Because of these downsides of surgical incision this treatment is often combined with silicone sheeting, surgical taping, compression, radiotherapy, and intralesional steroid injections.

“Surgical excision is the most longstanding, simplest, and only definitive way of removing keloid tissue and reducing the width of the scar. However, its effectiveness as a single mode of treatment is limited and sometimes counterproductive.

In fact surgery for the treatment of keloid scars has been relegated mainly to a second-line therapy for lesions unresponsive to steroids or pressure, and for large lesions requiring debulking.” (Mustoe et al., 2002).

“Citrus limon (lemon). Lemon’s role as an antimicrobial agent has been widely reported. However, despite numerous anecdotal reports, there is only one case report in the medical literature involving the use of lemon juice on keloids.” (Rueter, G. Treatment with lemon juice in the prevention of recurrences of keloid. Zentralbl Chir. 1973;98(16):604-6. )

Aldara iquimod prescription cream has shown to be effective in reducing keloidal scar tissue in some cases. Also dermatix, a steroid cream seems to diminish keloids in a slow but effective pace for some people. Kenacomb is another prescription steroid cream which might be worth a try.

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Cica Care Silicone Pads Help Improve Indented Scars?

Atrophic scars (sunken, indented, depressed scars) are probably the hardest scars to treat with over-the-counter products.

These scars form during the wound healing process when the production of the skin’s collagen and connective tissue is less than the tissue loss caused by the injury.

As far as I know indented scars can’t be raised with silicone pads because these are designed to flatten scar tissue. (if I’m correct they won’t worsen indented scars either) But a review from a user of Cica Care pads made me think there might be some benefit.

Cica care sheets are, especially when compared to other brands, relatively sticky. Commonly this is not a desired trait because if the sheets are overly sticky the freshly formed, delicate scar tissue may be damaged by the tension caused by the adhesiveness.



But as this user describes, it could very well be this stickiness which helps his sunken scar raise. Here’s a part of this user’s review:

“I’ve used several brands of silicone gel scar pads on my healing facial scar in a curvy place that often causes other stiffer pads to peel off in less than a day. Cica Care stays on much better than the Scar Away and Mepiform pads, due to its thick gel layer (almost 1/8″) and very thin plastic outside film.

In addition, I get the sense that this Cica Care pad is doing a better job of flattening by pulling up the sunken middle of my scar than the others. Because the gel conforms so well to the shape of the scar, it makes clingy contact with the sunken parts better than the others, and I think that tends to pull them up over time.

Whereas other pads stick with a sort of gluey feel, the Cica Care pads stick in more of a clingy way. Other pads will stay on better if something like clothes rub against them, but don’t make contact with the sunken ridges of the scar. The Cica Care pads on the other hand have a much more pliable gel, which seems to adhere by contouring and maximizing surface area contact.

So if you use the Cica care pads in a location where gravity will tend to “uncling” them, or where clothing or bedding may rub against it, I would suggest making a cover out of breathable tape from the drugstore. Perhaps the people who found them not sticky enough were using them in places where gravity or rubbing caused them to get “declinged”. “

The notion that extra sticky silicone pads might help raise sunken scars is not clinically proven. It’s just a user experience I thought was worth mentioning.

Especially since there are no over-the-counter scar products designed to improve indented scars (at least not that I know of ).

Read the whole review on Amazon It’s the second review on the page titled; The best stickiness, good for raising sunken scars.



Other Atrophic Scar Treatments



Factors influencing the creation of indented scars are wound tension, scar contraction, tissue apposition, and individual variations in wound healing. Several indented scar treatments exist with varying results. Needling (dermarolling), collagen injections and the alternative bee sting scar therapy are a few of these atrophic scar treatments. source: Wapedia

Does Microneedling Work?
There are several studies that show skin needling (microneedling) to be effective in improving depressed scars. Almost 20 years ago a French dermatologist developed a similar technique called Electroridopuncture (ERP). He later on published the results of his study in which was demonstrated that there was a 60% improvement in his patients with old scars. The best results were obtained for people with fibrous or depressed scars (MesotherapyWorldwide.com, n.d.).

Because of the relative ease of use and cost effectiveness a growing amount of people are using derma rollers to improve their indented scars. Here are a few of the most popular derma rollers available at this moment.

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Various silicone scar sheets brands are available. There are some distinct differences in the type of silicones, fabrics, thickness, and adhesiveness among these brands. So which are the best buy? In my opinion the best silicone scar sheets are ScarAway and Oleeva. This because these are the only two brands that use the patented Silon technology. (ScarAway is the former Neosporin Scar Solution)

In short, Silon is a blend of Teflon and a certain type of silicones “which has unusual physical and chemical properties – particularly when formed into thin membranes. Research suggests that Silon acts to hydrate scar tissue, which in turn works to soften scar tissue, reducing its development and causing it to fade away faster.” Wikipedia

But there are more reasons why these two brands offer the best silicone sheets:

Breathability
Apart from silicones another material is commonly used to create a layer on the outside of the sheets. It is very important that this fabric is breathable. Oxygen should be allowed to transfer because if it doesn’t it can cause skin maceration. Maceration of the skin occurs when it is consistently wet. The skin softens, turns white, and can easily get infected with bacteria or fungi. Source: About.com: Dermatology. A visitor of one of my Squidoo lenses described this wrinkled white skin effect during the use of Dr. Blaine’s Scar Care sheets.

Stickyness
Those who have used silicone sheets know that keeping them attached can be somewhat of a burden. Especially on some (moving) parts of the body such as the face or neck. It should however be noted that the stickier the better does not apply here. If silicone sheets are too sticky they could create too much tension on the freshly formed, still delicate scar tissue which is not desired because it might worsen the scar. The ideal sheet would be sticky enough to help you position it on the scar, and use a medical tape (i.e. cotton or silk) to secure further if necessary.

Thin sheets versus thick pads
Thinner sheets with a compact layer of silicone are more comfortable and more “durable” which means they do not break down and you get more use out of them. The thicker “gel” type pads get dirt, etc embedded in them which is not sanitary when sealing to your skin for hours each day. The thinner sheets can be washed.

The only silicone scar sheets that have the breathable fabric and the thin, washable, medical grade, Silon technology silicones are the ScarAway and Oleeva sheets. Both doctor-level products are manufactured by BioMed Sciences inc. Oleeva Scar Shapes are pre-cut pieces of Oleeva Fabric for targeted scar management following surgery.

Hydration
It is theorized that hydrating properties play a major role in the mechanism of silicone sheeting. After serious skin injury trans-epidermal water loss is increased. [1] This water loss is more significant in hypertrophic and keloid scars and may be responsible for increased collagen production (abnormal scar tissue). The semi-occlusive nature of silicone scar sheeting improves scars by providing adequate but not excessive hydration. Dressings that are too permeable to water may be ineffective on scars because they fail to block water loss and related skin healing processes, whereas dressings that are too occlusive may cause skin maceration.

ScarAway is available online at Amazon and Drugstore.com. Oleeva can be ordered online at Makemeheal.com.

Note: also Scar Fx and Biodermis Epi-derm silicone sheets are medical grade products. This means they have a higher percentage, better quality silicones than some of the brands available in the drugstore.

[1] Suetake T, Sasai S, Zhen YX, Ohi T, Tagami H (1996) Functional analyses of the stratum corneum in scars: Sequential studies after injury and comparison among keloids, hypertrophic scars, and atrophic scars. Arch Dermatol 132:1453–1458

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Do your scars itch? This post is about why scars itch and how to get some scar itch relief.

Fresh scars tend to itch more often but also older scars, especially surgery scars, may itch. Even scars that are years old can be itchy. Many people describe the feeling as itchy and numb at the same time. In most fresh scars the itchiness will fade away with time.

Scar Itch Causes

The itch is part of the healing (maturation) process. New tissue is created, nerve endings are stimulated, and other nerves have been disconnected which may cause the numb sensation.

The blood circulation is affected and overlapping scar tissue being stretched may also cause itchiness or sometimes a burning feeling. (e.g. in case of c-section scars during a new pregnancy) Some people experience a burning sensation followed by itch after stretching their scar full out.

Causes of scars itching are the aforementioned healing process, the scar drying out, the nerves being damaged and disconnected, collagen reacting and moving, and skin irritation as a result of (surgical) tape or other topical applications used.

Scar Itch Relief

Make sure to avoid scratching your scar whenever possible. It might damage the tissue especially when the scar is young and the tissue still thin and delicate. Damage caused by scratching will worsen scar appearance and may cause infection (which will also worsen appearance).

This is just theorizing but I think whether or not you can treat the itchiness depends on where the itch is exactly located. Is it superficial, on the scar itself, the skin so to say? Or is the itch deeper, probably caused by nerves and/or collagen turning over. If it’s the latter I guess there’s nothing much you can do about it except for maybe massaging.

• Massage A good massage therapist will be able to loosen up the scar tissue thus effectuating less tension and friction. This way the scar tissue is under less physical stress which will lead to less burn or itch. When massaging your own scars keep in mind that fresh scar tissue is relatively thin and fragile so massaging should be done very gently.
• Moisturizing Scars tend to dry out a bit because the skin’s ability to hydrate itself has been affected. That’s why moisturizing the tissue regularly may offer relief by diminishing itch.
• Anti-itch creams I haven’t used any anti-itch creams on my scars myself because I used silicone gel sheets and ointments (more on this in a bit) but here are a few popular creams that are reported to offer scar itch relief. Benadryl is a so called antihistamine cream. Prolonged use of such creams is said to possibly result in the development of an allergy to the active ingredient (Benadryl) Other itch relief creams are topical anesthetics such as lidocaine and benzocaine. These have shown to cause skin irritation in some cases. Therefore the best anti-itch creams are the topical steroids such as hydrocortisone cream. Examples of commonly used and well reviewed hydrocortisone creams are Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream and Member’s Mark Hydrocortisone Cream Apart from these there’s a skin spray called ThermaSkin Itch Blocker that uses hot pepper extract (capsaicin) to stop itching.
• Silicones There are several topical silicone gel brands such as Dermatix, Kelocote, Zeraderm, and ScarAway. These silicone ointments do not only offer relief from itch and pain they will also reduce redness, prevent problematic scars from developing, and flatten and soften excessive scar tissue.

  For me these silicone creams (and sheets) were a godsend because apart from the occasional itch some of my scars really felt uncomfortably sensitive so each contact with clothing or e.g. a seat belt made me shiver.

Do you have any questions or comments on scar itch relief? Don’t hesitate to share your opinion below.














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