Scar Prevention
Part 1- Silicone Scar Creams

Wound healing and scar formation is a very complex process.  Poor scar healing can result from a variety of factors.  Due to the different factors, there is no single therapy that leads to elimination of scarring. Nevertheless, most patients are looking for the "magic cream".  The most widely marketed scar preparations are silicone-gel based.  Silicone sheets and silicone gels are widely considered to be the only non-invasive therapy for scars.  Many studies have shown improvement in scar quality and decreased risk of poor scarring (hypertrophic-scarring, keloids).  Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it is thought that the silicone acts as a sealant and keeps the scar hydrated.  Hydrated wounds are generally known to result in imrproved scarring. So in the end, silicone preparations have a role in scar management.  However, there are many other factors that influence wound healing.  As we will soon see, other therapies may just effective as these silicone products.  More to come......

http://www.jprasurg.com/article/S1748-6815(14)00173-9/abstract