Topical Silicone Treatment

Compare To Other Treatments

What Is It?

Topical silicone treatment involves the application of a silicone-containing gel or gel sheeting on the raised scar for at least 12 hours a day, usually for about 2 months.

It is suggested that the effect results from hydration of the skin via silicone. Another proposed mechanism of action includes silicone leading to a reduction or transformation of growth factors present in the scar.

Results

Results
Strength of Evidence: Weak
14% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring
Expand for result statistics
Good or Excellent Response
14% of patients achieved a good (>50%) or excellent (>75%) improvement in scarring
Scar Height Reduction
Average 53% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS total score
Average 52% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS pigmentation score
Average 52% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS height score
Average 88% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS pliability score
Average 39% reduction in scarring
Mean improvement in VSS vascularity score
Average 45% reduction in scarring
▸ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
▾ Based on These Clinical Studies & Trials
  1. Mohamed, E.-E. M., Abd-Elaleem, H. L. & Zahran, S. A. A. Silicone gel versus combination of silicone gel and a 577-nm diode laser in the treatment of post-surgery hypertrophic scar (comparative study). Arch Dermatol Res 317, 324 (2025).
  2. Moortgat, P. et al. Can a cohesive silicone bandage outperform an adhesive silicone gel sheet in the treatment of scars? A randomized comparative trial. Plast Reconstr Surg 143, 902–911 (2019).
  3. Babu, P., Meethale Thiruvoth, F. & Chittoria, R. K. Intense pulsed light vs silicone gel sheet in the management of hypertrophic scars: an interventional comparative trial in the Indian population. Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy 21, 234–237 (2019).
  4. Fabbrocini, G. et al. Assessment of the combined efficacy of needling and the use of silicone gel in the treatment of C-section and other surgical hypertrophic scars and keloids. Adv Skin Wound Care 29, 408–411 (2016).
  5. Van der Wal, M. B. A., Van Zuijlen, P. P., Van de Ven, P. & Middelkoop, E. Topical silicone gel versus placebo in promoting the maturation of burn scars: a randomized controlled trial. Plast Reconstr Surg 126, 524–531 (2010).
  6. Scuderi, N., Dessy, L. A., Mazzocchi, M., Chiummariello, S. & Onesti, M. G. Efficacy of topical cyanoacrylates compared to topical silicone gel in the treatment of hypertrophic scars. In Vivo 24, 591–597 (2010).
  7. Li-Tsang, C. W. P., Zheng, Y. P. & Lau, J. C. M. A randomized clinical trial to study the effect of silicone gel dressing and pressure therapy on posttraumatic hypertrophic scars. J Burn Care Res 31, 448–457 (2010).
  8. Momeni, M., Hafezi, F., Rahbar, H. & Karimi, H. Effects of silicone gel on burn scars. Burns 35, 70–74 (2009).
  9. Karagoz, H., Yuksel, F., Ulkur, E. & Evinc, R. Comparison of efficacy of silicone gel, silicone gel sheeting, and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin for the treatment of postburn hypertrophic scars. Burns 35, 1097–1103 (2009).
  10. Lacarrubba, F. et al. An open-label pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a silicone gel in the treatment of hypertrophic scars using clinical and ultrasound assessments. J Dermatolog Treat 19, 50–53 (2008).
  11. Kelemen, O., Hegedus, G., Kollár, L., Menyhei, G. & Seress, L. Morphological analysis of the connective tissue reaction in linear hypertrophic scars treated with intralesional steroid or silicone-gel sheeting. A light and electron microscopic study. Acta Biol Hung 59, 129–145 (2008).
  12. Chernoff, W. G., Cramer, H. & Su-Huang, S. The efficacy of topical silicone gel elastomers in the treatment of hypertrophic scars, keloid scars, and post-laser exfoliation erythema. Aesthetic Plast Surg 31, 495–500 (2007).
  13. Li-Tsang, C. W. P., Lau, J. C. M., Choi, J., Chan, C. C. C. & Jianan, L. A prospective randomized clinical trial to investigate the effect of silicone gel sheeting (Cica-Care) on post-traumatic hypertrophic scar among the Chinese population. Burns 32, 678–683 (2006).
  14. Colom Maján, J. i. Evaluation of a self-adherent soft silicone dressing for the treatment of hypertrophic postoperative scars. J Wound Care 15, 193–196 (2006).
  15. So, K. et al. Effects of enhanced patient education on compliance with silicone gel sheeting and burn scar outcome: a randomized prospective study. J Burn Care Rehabil 24, 411–417; discussion 410 (2003).
  16. Wittenberg, G. P. et al. Prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled study to assess the efficacy of the 585-nm flashlamp-pumped pulsed-dye laser and silicone gel sheeting in hypertrophic scar treatment. Arch Dermatol 135, 1049–1055 (1999).
  17. Tan, E., Chua, S. & Lim, J. Topical silicone gel sheet versus intralesional injections of triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of keloids — a patient-controlled comparative clinical trial. Journal of Dermatological Treatment 10, 251–254 (1999).
  18. Berman, B. & Flores, F. Comparison of a silicone gel-filled cushion and silicon gel sheeting for the treatment of hypertrophic or keloid scars. Dermatol Surg 25, 484–486 (1999).

Side Effects

Side Effects
Low-medium side effects and adverse reactions

Reviews

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3.5
2 Reviews

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