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 hypertrophic (raised) scar for at least 12 hours a day, usually for about 2 months. Silicone sheets can be cut to fit the size of the scar. 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.

Scar Height Reduction

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 53% reduction in scarring

Success Rate

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 25% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS total score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 52% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS pigmentation score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 52% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS height score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 88% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS pliability score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 39% reduction in scarring

Mean improvement in VSS vascularity score

Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Average 45% reduction in scarring
  1. Das, D., Yadav, N. & Arora, E. Study on the effect of combined action of topical silicone gel and pressure therapy in hypertrophic scar management. International Surgery Journal 7, 1817–1820 (2020).
  2. Stewart, S. A., Dougall, G. M. G. & Tafuro, E. M. The use of Silgel STC-SE, a topical silicone gel for the treatment and reduction of hypertrophic and keloid scars. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open 4, e1183 (2016).
  3. 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).
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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).
  7. 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).
  8. 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).
  9. Sawada, Y. & Sone, K. Treatment of scars and keloids with a cream containing silicone oil. Br J Plast Surg 43, 683–688 (1990).

Side Effects

Low-Medium
Low-medium side effects and adverse reactions

Reviews

3.0
9 Reviews