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

ScarAway silicone gel for scars

I have used medical grade, doctor-approved silicone scar sheets myself. (Silicones are the only over the counter treatment proven with over 20 years of studies to work to flatten and fade old scars and help prevent thickened scars.)

The sheets I used were of an European brand of which the quality can be compared with that of ScarAway sheets. I created a write-up on my experiences with silicone scar treatment where I recommend ScarAway.

A visitor of this review page informed me about how she tried various silicone sheet brands which made her aware of the many differences between them.

She notes: “there are very distinct differences in the types, thicknesses and material that cause each one to be a whole different experience. Some are thick, some are thin, some are clear and some are opaque. Some are fabric, some have a plastic or polyurethane outer layer on the silicone, and some have a fabric backing.”

Because there are so many different brands to choose from choosing the right one be very confusing. That’s why she had an in-depth conversation with her plastic surgeon. Here’s what she informed me about the conversation with her surgeon:

Make sure to use breathable silicones “It is important that the material baking on the silicone is breathable. Silicone fabric types with a baking that does not allow the transfer of oxygen should be avoided. Do not use the cheaper “tape” types that don’t breath which can cause skin maceration.

Definition: The softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture. The skin softens, turns white, and can easily get infected with bacteria or fungi. This type of problem can cause more scarring or widening of the scar.”

Avoid the use of sheets that are too sticky. “I was baffled by this as I see a complaint of users of silicone sheet products is that they don’t stick real well by themselves and roll off after a period of time, etc. Some sheets are not made to be self adhering at all ..more like a piece of rubber, but those buckle even under medical tape.

My surgeon explained that a proper silicone sheet should never produce a severe pulling on your scar. If it is too sticky, there is the potential to further damage the new skin, or even open a delicate healing area. in general, he said the ideal sheet would be sticky enough to help you position it on the scar, and use a medical tape..cotton or silk, to secure further if necessary…but stickier does not equate to more effective.”

Thin silicone sheets vs thick silicone gel 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. He advised against a thick gel type pad. The thinner “sheet type” can be washed cleanly. So which ones are which out there on the market?

ScarAway Review
The only silicone scar treatment product that has the breathable fabric AND the thin washable medical grade silicone in one is the expensive sheets through your surgeon and the new ScarAway sheets. He gave me a coupon for $2.00 off ScarAway at Walgreens.

I have also found them online at Amazon.com and Drugstore.com. So, I will journey on using ScarAway sheets. Like you do, my surgeon recommended using the sheets at night and the ScarAway 100% Silicone Serum during the day. I know this is long..it took my doctor 45 minutes to explain it all to me. I hope this is helpful to all and answers the many question out there about silicone scar treatments.”

If you have any questions regarding silicone scar sheets, ScarAway, or scar treatment in general don’t hesitate to ask me by leaving a comment. There are also many questions and answers on the silicone scar treatment page I was talking about. Thanks again for sharing this in-depth information Laura!

How To Optimally Treat Your Tummy Tuck Scar

Many women (and some men) are willing to undergo a tummy tuck procedure (abdominoplasty) in order to effectuate several aesthetic improvements. Most common reasons for this surgery are to get rid of wrinkled skin and/or excessive fat on the stomach, the tightening of abdominal muscles, to get a slimmer waist line and to improve overall body shape. Also pre-existing scars, e.g. from earlier cesarean surgeries, will in some case be removed.

The only aesthetic downside of the tummy tuck, and one of the reasons women are reluctant to get this surgery, are the inevitable new scars. But with the right approach these can be treated optimally so the final appearance will be as minimal as possible. The size of the scar depends on the type of tummy tuck surgery performed. There are several variations such as the traditional, mini, circumferential, endoscopic, and extended tummy tuck. Tummy tuck scars are known to get worse before they improve. In contrary to many other surgical scars they will be roughly at their worst in about 3 months after the procedure.

Wound Care
It is important to realize that optimal tummy tuck scar treatment already starts when the scar is still a wound. During this wound care phase some things can be done to boost the wound healing process, and to prevent infections and scabbing. A faster healing wound without complications such as infections and inflammation will commonly lead to less scar tissue development.

The tummy tuck wound might be a little more complicated to treat properly because drains (tubes) are commonly inserted into the wound to drain excess fluids. Also the high chance on swellings is something to take into account when treating the wound. For this particular reason compression garments (elastic bandages) are worn to reduce swelling but also to keep the pressure of the incision by applying pressure on the whole area. Things like surgical tape, and wound dressings can make a big difference in achieving optimal wound healing. I would like to address one particular type of wound dressings; those based on medical grade manuka honey.

Medical Honey for Surgical Wounds
These FDA approved medical devices have shown to have unique wound healing properties. Some of their properties are that they speed wound healing by creating an ideal moist and clean environment and prevent and treat infections. (medical grade manuka honey has shown to be able to cure seemingly untreatable, antibiotics-resistant infected wounds). Because of these properties the honey based dressings have shown to minimize scarring. Click here for more info on Medihoney wound dressings.

Compression Garments
Special, dedicated, tummy tuck garments are designed to apply the exactly needed amount of pressure. This takes the tension off of the wound thus stimulating the wound healing process. It also reduces the mostly inevitable swelling and bruises. Furthermore the pressure applied by garments stimulates blood circulation which is an important factor in scar healing.

Tummy Tuck Scar Treatment
Whether you use surgical tape, hydrogel strips, or Medihoney wound dressings, when the wound has closed it is time to start treating the scar with the best product available. The only product for which clinical proof on its efficacy exists are silicone sheets. (also referred to as patches, strips, or dressings)

Especially for surgical scars such as the tummy tuck scar these are the best over the counter product you can use. The silicone sheets flatten and smoothen the scar. They make it less discolored and more skin color. They reduce itch and pain and prevent hypertrophic and keloid scar tissue from developing.

Special shaped, custom made silicone tummy tuck scar treatment strips are available online.

Be patient because, especially with the right treatment, the tummy tuck scar will improve over time. Keep in mind to moisturize the scar with a cream of your liking. Petroleum based ointments such as Vaseline have shown to be just as effective as Mederma. Finally, don’t forget to protect your scar from sun exposure and excessive tension.

For more info on clinical evidence: Abstract of study on the effects of tension on scars, microporous tape, scar hydration, and silicone sheeting.

The c section scar is the result of the vertical incision made during the surgical procedure and is approximately 4-6 inches long. How wide it is depends on how well it is treated, how healthy someone lives, genetics, and how well the wound heals. The scar is located on the lowest part of the tummy, just above the pubic bone. Because of its location it is mostly covered by underwear or clothes. Here are some c-section scar photos.



I stumbled upon this question on Yahoo Answers about c-section scar treatment and the answers given point out how many misconceptions about scar healing (in general) exist.

The question:

“I had a C-section 6 weeks ago and the scar is red and puffed up. Does anyone recommend a scar treatment for it? and when should I start applying the scar treatment?”

In the answers many of the common, so called effective, scar treatments are mentioned but a really truthful and helpful answer isn’t there. Yes, of course scar tissue improves over time as mentioned by one of the answerers. But no, Mederma is not a proven effective remedy actually. Studies show it works just as good, or even slightly less effective, as Vaseline.

Why so many people swear such products work for them possibly has to do with the massaging of the scar, improved blood circulation, and hydration. Regarding vitamin E capsules, better leave those where they are, or use them where they are intended for but do not use them topically. Studies have shown rubbing vitamin e into scars can make their appearance worse and cause skin reactions.



Wound Care vs Scar Treatment
Also the remark that the wound shouldn’t be treated until it’s fully healed should be clarified. In fact, optimal scar healing actually starts with proper wound treatment and if done well this can really make a difference. When speeded healing occurs and problematic aspects such as inflammation and infections are avoided the chances on developing more prominent scar tissue are decreased. The other way round; wounds that are not kept clean and looked after are prone to poor scar healing. Always consult your surgeon about the fastest way to heal open wounds. Tip: ask your medic about Medihoney wound dressings.

But the person giving this advice has a point. A clear distinction should be made between wound care and scar treatment. Scar healing remedies of a c-section scar should never be started before the incision wound has healed and closed.

The Best C-Section Scar Treatment
In this particular case, where this woman’s c-section scar is red and puffed up silicone strips can be a practical solution. It it is true that many scars, especially those resulting from surgery, can be red, bumpy, and look awful but eventually will improve. But silicone strips, which are in many cases FDA Class 1 Medical Devices, do not only improve the scar appearance, they also reduce or take away itchiness and pain. On top of that they reduce the chance on developing hypertrophic (red and raised) and keloid c-section scars. (keloids are scars that grow beyond the normal wound boundaries.)

Here’s a short review:

“The patches are called scaraway and are silicone sheets. I used them for my c-section scar and am VERY pleased. (My friends scar got red and bumpy..mine healed flat and pretty thin and is regular skin color now).. They adherer to your skin without tape (but they are not sticky like bandaids)..hard to explain..I hardly noticed they were on me…hope that helps”

Scar Pain and Massage
Some women experience pain in their c-section scar. This can vary from tingling to real pain as well as a numb feeling. Where some women loose sensitivity on the skin located around the scar tissue others experience extra sensitivity. Sometimes scar contractions can cause pain and discomfort. This can be solved by massaging the scar tissue because massage loosens the tissue, boosts circulation and thus makes the tissue softer.



C-Section Scars and Compression
Next to silicone strips compression is another scar healing therapy for which clinical evidence exists it actually works (although in lesser amount). Some women use compression belts also called C-Section compression bindersfor extra comfort, pain reduction and faster wound and scar healing. (Also scars seem to benefit from compression.)

Always avoid exposing your c-section scar to direct sunlight or use a high SPF sunscreen. Also when wearing thin clothes because many fabrics do not prevent the sun radiation from coming through.

The anchor pattern surgery is the most invasive breast reduction procedure. This variant is also called; T-incision, inverted T pattern, or Weiss Method. This 30 sec. YouTube video shows clearly how this procedure is performed and the scar it will leave: Anchor Breast Reduction Procedure.

Because this is the most radical procedure it results in the most scarring. In order to avoid ugly scars it is recommended to treat them right away. This means as soon as the wound has closed and certainly not before.

Anchor shaped, self-adhesive silicone gel pads are the most efficient way of preventing hypertrophic and keloid scarring. Silicones have shown to make surgical scars less red, flatter and softer. These dedicated products also come in an aureola circle shape. This way maximum convenience is provided and cutting large sheets into customized shapes is not necessary.

Dedication and determination are required because the pads should be worn on the breast reduction anchor scar for at least 12 hours every day for a period of at least two months.  But the efforts are worth it because it is clinically proven that the results are far better then those gained when using creams or lotions. More information here.

Silicone scar sheeting is used by hospitals, burn centers,  cosmetic surgeons, and dermatologists to treat and prevent scarring. Having used many products myself I have come to the conclusion that not only are silicone sheets the best solution for (surgical) wound scars but also that it matters which brand you choose. The best option is to use medical grade, or the so called doctor approved brands. ScarAway is such a brand.

ScarAway (formerly known as Neosporin Scar Solution) is released on the consumer market by Bio-Med Sciences. These sheets ( or patches, strips) are manufactured with the proven Silon technology. The last years ScarAway silicone scar sheets were improved with a slightly larger size and significantly better adhesion.

Supporting my own findings here are two comments/ reviews posted on my web page about my experiences with scar treatment:

Lori D says:

The only silicone sheet available that is professional grade and also thin (more comfortable) is Scar Away. I tried a few without success and then finally found scaraway sheets. Here is my experience. I tried rejuvaness, but it is just piece of rubber…it does not have any stickiness to help it stay on so even when i taped it on, it would slide and fall off. No effect whatsoever on my scar. I tried another sheet (blaines scarcare?) it was so thick and lumpy that it was really uncomfortable and felt itchy. No way I could wear that 12 hours a day!. I was very discouraged. When I went to my doctor for help with my scar, she recommended ScarAway. I used the 7″ x 1.5″ strips for my C-section scar. The strip was VERY thin and has a nice soft fabric on the outside . I left mine on almost all of the time and each strip lasted longer than the week suggested. The package came with enough for the whole treatment (my doctor recommended 12 weeks). My scar is barely even visible now

steve p says:

I just went to drugstore.com to order ScarAway silicone scar sheets and found out they have a new 100% silicone gel that does not have any “useless” ingredients like vitamin e. cortizone. etc. So if you are looking for the scienticfically proven silicone only, I am going to use the scaraway sheets in combination with the silicone serum when i am not wearing he sheet. I know I have to wear the sheet 12 or more hours, and will wear the gel the other hours. I read that the longer silicone is in contact with your skin, the better. I also found the scaraway on drugstore.com and amazon.com comes with a free case to keep it in.

Why you should avoid silicone strips that are too sticky and too thick, and more advice on silicone scar products in this ScarAway review.