Did you know silicone is considered the gold standard ingredient in scar healing? In fact, silicone has been used for more than three decades to treat stubborn and unwanted scarring! Read on to find out why silicone sheeting should be in your arsenal when treating any scars.
How do scars form?
According to WebMD, scars form when the dermis (deep, thick layer of skin) is damaged. The body forms new collagen fibers (a naturally occurring protein in the body) to mend the damage, resulting in a scar. The new scar tissue will have a different texture and quality than the surrounding tissue. Scars form after a wound is completely healed.
What causes scars?
The American Academy of Dermatology indicates that a scar forms on your skin when your body heals an injury. To get a scar, the wound has to go deep enough to injure the inner layers of your skin, the dermis.
When we injure the deeper layers of our skin, cells make collagen to repair the wound. Because your body makes this collagen quickly, it’s thicker and less flexible than the rest of your skin. The thicker, less flexible tissue is a scar.
What is silicone?
Silicones are polymers, which are large molecules composed of many repeated sub-units. These polymers are made up of siloxane – a chain of alternating silicone atoms and oxygen atoms frequently combined with carbon and/or hydrogen. Silicone is an element found in sand, where it is extracted from and passed through hydrocarbons. Silicones can also be called polysiloxanes.
Why is silicone gel good for scarring management?
According to PubMed, silicone gel exerts several actions which have explained this benefit in scars management:
- It increases hydration of stratum corneum and thereby facilitates regulation of fibroblast production and reduction in collagen production. It results into softer and flatter scar. It allows skin to “breathe”.
- It protects the scarred tissue from bacterial invasion and prevents bacteria-induced excessive collagen production in the scar tissue.
- Silicone gel heals scars by balancing the expression of growth factors. Certain growth factors stimulate fibroblasts to synthesize more collagen and other growth factors increase the level of collagenases which break down the excess collagen. Silicone gel regulates these growth factors to normalize collagen synthesis.
- Silicone gel reduces itching and discomfort associated with scars.
- Best part is, it even works great on joint areas that take a lot of stress when movement occurs such as knees and elbows.
- The durability and biocompatibility of silicone ensures it’s an ideal choice when you’re looking for effective scar treatment products.
- When you apply a thin layer of this gel to your scar, it spreads evenly and dries within minutes.
- From easy administration to its quick acting benefits, silicone gel is great for sensitive skin and for use on kids
When should I start putting silicone gel or silicone sheeting on my skin?
You can begin treating your scar immediately after surgery or injury. Some people may wish to wait a week or two to begin using silicone gel, since you should never apply anything to the scar until your wound is fully healed. Newer scars tend to heal better when treated with silicone immediately because they have not fully begun the healing process, meaning the collagen overproduction has not yet occurred.
How do I choose the right silicone product for my scar?
Silicone scar products are an essential part of your scar healing regimen, and the type you choose depends on the area being healed and your type of scarring. You can choose from gels or silicone sheets, but keep in mind the higher the amount of silicone, the more effective the product.
Nourisil™ MD Silicone Scar Gel from Fagron contains a unique blend of 5 silicones and Vitamin E to help heal scars. Nourisil™ MD is ultra-light, transparent, self-drying silicone gel, which is proven to flatten, soften and smooth scars, relieve the itching, pain and discomfort of scars and reduce any associated redness.
You don’t have to live with unwanted scarring. Try silicone-based scar products supplied by DTPmedical today and see the difference!