Silicone scar sheet
Encyclopedia
Silicone scar sheets are a type of treatment used to prevent the formation of new scar
s and to reduce the appearance of existing scars. The scar sheet is lined on one side with silicone
gel. The other side is often lined with a smooth fabric or a transparent film. The treatment of scars has been of great interest to plastic surgeons
, hospital
s, and burn centers for many years.
A meta-study published in the Cochrane Library
concluded that it is unclear whether silicon gel sheeting helps prevent scarring. It found that many of the studies advocating their use were of poor quality and susceptible to bias.
The effectiveness and safety of silicone sheet technology for the treatment and prevention of scars is supported by a number of clinical studies. There have been more controlled clinical trials performed on the treatment of scars using silicone gel sheets than most other methods. In clinical studies, the scars treated with silicone sheeting were improved significantly at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, compared with both their own treatment value and the control of scars.
Scar
Scars are areas of fibrous tissue that replace normal skin after injury. A scar results from the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process. With the exception of very minor lesions, every wound results in...
s and to reduce the appearance of existing scars. The scar sheet is lined on one side with silicone
Silicone
Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, they are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical applications , cookware, and insulation....
gel. The other side is often lined with a smooth fabric or a transparent film. The treatment of scars has been of great interest to plastic surgeons
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
, hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
s, and burn centers for many years.
A meta-study published in the Cochrane Library
Cochrane Library
The Cochrane Library is a collection of databases in medicine and other healthcare specialties provided by the Cochrane Collaboration and other organisations. At its core is the collection of Cochrane Reviews, a database of systematic reviews and meta-analyses which summarize and interpret the...
concluded that it is unclear whether silicon gel sheeting helps prevent scarring. It found that many of the studies advocating their use were of poor quality and susceptible to bias.
The effectiveness and safety of silicone sheet technology for the treatment and prevention of scars is supported by a number of clinical studies. There have been more controlled clinical trials performed on the treatment of scars using silicone gel sheets than most other methods. In clinical studies, the scars treated with silicone sheeting were improved significantly at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, compared with both their own treatment value and the control of scars.