Topic: silicone tape on scars?

Hi - I have read of some that use a paper tape.  I can't wear tape long or I get a rash where is was.  For me - time - was the best healer.

I've been using them on the advice of my PS who recommended that I get the generic brand (the one that's available at CVS). They seem to be working OK--hard for me to tell since I heal slowly. He did give me a good tip. When you take the silicone off, put the clear strips back on and put them in the fridge to firm up again. You can extend their reuse life to maybe 4 days. You also can keep some paper surgical tape around to help them stick.

Good luck. His fridge tip to keep the cost down really helped.

Oh car, that's such a great tip!   I am still trying to clear up my incision from the revision and have been using the generic brand.. God knows we need ways to keep the cost of all of this stuff down!  Thanks!

Is there a "window" for when these tapes work?  Are they only good at preventing scars right after surgery?  Would they work on existing scars?  

I'm 4 months post-exchange and have been using Palmer's cocoa butter for the last 1-2 months.  My PS didn't recommend anything.  I think my scars could look better -- maybe I'm just anxious for them to fade.

My PS started me on the silicone sheets about 6 weeks postop. I'd give it a try.

I also have a tendency to keloid and am worried about developing keloid scars on my mastectomy site.  Dejaboo, I plan to ask my surgeon to inject the site with topical steroids (prevents scar formation) if it starts to look bad--have you considered that? 

Dejaboo,  my PS specifically mentioned keloid prevention. I think that they'd be worth a try--though I have a friend who said that they didn't seem to help her daughter's wound on her thigh (I don't know if she had a tendency to form keloids).

Generics are made by CVS and are there by the gauze and bandaids. I did not find them at Target or Longs. They're also available online, but by brand name (Neosporin Scar Solution) which is much more expensive. Mine run $25 for 28 large sheets. I'm treating my breast incisions as well as a long abdominal incision from DIEP, so I go through them pretty quickly. However, they can be trimmed, and they can be used for up to 4-5 days if you refrigerate them (putting the plastic backing back on) when you remove them for showering, and if they're really starting to go in terms of the adhesive, use paper surgical tape to hold them on.

The adhesive is just to keep them in place. Your body heat slowly releases the silicone into the scar.

Good luck!

You're welcome, Pam. The big sheets are a pain in the butt. CVS's are 1.5 x 2.75. I use one one to cover the entire area where the DIEP transplant was done (I'm a 32B, so there's not a lot to cover!), and use two to cover the entire area of my lift (pursestring lift, scar completely surrounding healthy areola). Then, I cut them in half for the DIEP scar--use two total. What is tough is trimming and trying to get the strip to cover anything more than a straight line. That's why I just slap the whole strip "up north."

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks, so far so good though I have to time my workouts (sweaty) and showers to get the maximum benefit. They say wear a minimum of 12 hours, I wear them unless I'm wet. Your lump scar can probably be covered w/half a sheet. Good luck!

Hi there - here is some information on all the different scar remedies - hope this helps you in some way  :)

This site has a lot of information:

http://www.cosmeticsurgeryforums.com/Scar_Treatments.htm

Silicone Sheeting

ReJuveness Silicone Sheeting:  ReJuveness silicone sheets are made of USP medical grade six-silicone which can be cut to any size and shape. ReJuveness is soft and pliable and easily conforms to any body part. ReJuveness is proven effective at healing and preventing hypertrophic and keloid scars resulting from burns, plastic surgery procedures, surgeries, acne, cuts and abrasion.

Silon Silicone Sheeting:  Oleeva Clear® Transparent Silicone Sheeting is a silicone sheeting offering transparency and remarkable stretch and conforming characteristics. Oleeva Fabric® Silicone Sheeting with Fabric Backing is a silicone sheeting with a fabric backing.  The silky fabric backing makes it easy to wear under clothing, it also reduces shear force and edge roll-up when used under pressure garments.  Oleeva Scar Shapes® Precut Shapes for Scar Management Following Surgery are made from Oleeva Fabric and shaped specifically to treat scarring from breast, abdominal and other surgical procedures. The designs of these products ensure proper placement and coverage.

Syprex Silicone Sheeting:  Syprex scar treatment sheet is the most cost effective scar care product available when compared to other scar management methods. Made in the USA of pure medical grade silicone, 0.6mm thick (the thickness of a credit card), soft and flexible.

PMT Corp Silicone Sheeting:  Soft, reinforced silicone gel shapes that have been developed to soften and lighten hypertrophic and keloid scars. The GelShapes are specifically designed for the treatment of scars resulting from breast reduction, abdominoplasty, TRAM flap and C-section procedures.

ScarEase Silicone Sheeting & Gel:  ScarEase Sheets and ScarEase Gel are indicated for use in the management of hypertrophic and keloid scars. When used following surgical procedures, ScarEase may prevent hypertrophic and keloid scarring.  ScarEase Sheets may work better in certain cases, but have use limitations. vSince ScarEase Sheeting is self adhering, it supplies gentle mechanical pressure on the skin surface. This is a benefit!

Neosporin Scar Solution: The thin, flexible layer of silicone in NEOSPORIN^® SCAR SOLUTION^® Silicone Scar Sheets covers and protects your scar like normal, healthy skin, significantly improving the appearance of scars.

Curad Scar Therapy:  Clinically proven. Reduces raised, colored and keloid scars. Virtually invisible. Curad Scar Therapy Clear Pads are virtually invisible. They are perfect for any skin color as they blend with your natural skin tone.

Scar Gels and Creams

Scar Guard: Scar Guard offers four different treatments for the management of scars (old and new) - and is the most powerful and effective treatment developed.  It is a clear liquid that forms a fine flexible film within a few seconds after painting it onto the scar.  This film helps to protect the scar from irritation while delivering silicone cortisone and vitamin E throughout the day.

Kelocote: Kelo-cote^® is a patented topical silicone gel for the management and prevention of abnormal scars in the form of hypertrophic scars and keloids.

ScarFade:  In 1998, Scarfade was introduced in the form of a topical silicone gel which is applied like a cream. It forms a micro-thin layer of silicone on the scar.

ScarEase:  ScarEase Gel can be used to manage both old and new scars resulting from burns, surgical procedures and traumatic events.  Most people like ScarEase Gel better than ScarEase Sheets because it is "easier to use."

Syprex Scar Cream:  Syprex scar cream works to help flatten, even, and fade dark or discolored skin while providing healing qualities for scars - old or new, caused by acne, surgery or trauma to the skin and stretch marks. Results are permanent and may be seen in as little as 4-6 weeks with full results in 3-9 months.

ReJuveness Scar Cream:  ReJuveness cream is a combination of recent advancements in lipid and transdermal technology. Post surgical patients and clinicians are reporting accelerated healing and in many a near scar-less appearance at the lesion site.   

Other Topical Treatments:

Mederma:   Mederma comes as a silicone gel and also a new cream, which has a SPF-30 in it to protect the scar from the sun.  The main ingredient is Cepalin, which is a proprietary botanical extract which comes from onions.  According to a small Pilot study evaluating topical onion extract as treatment for post-surgical scars - published by PubMed - August 25, 1999, authors B.A. Jackson and A.J. Shelton, found that this main ingredient in Mederma concluded the following:  "Topical onion gel extract was ineffective in improving scar erythema and pruritus in our patients."  Most patients who have tried Mederma have suffered some sort of allergic reaction to it because of the onion extract, making the scars more angry looking than before treatment."

Vitamin E:  helps by working on the collagen fibers and makes a scar softer and more pliable.  However, in a double blind study, found that Vitamin E was indeed ineffective in reducing the symptoms of a hypertrophic scar or keloid.

Bio-Oil:  Bio-Oil is a specialist skin care product that is recommended for scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, aging, and dehydrated skin. It is formulated for use on both the face and body. product has improved the appearance of regular scars tremendously; however has very little effect on hypertrophic scars or keloids.

Retin-A:  Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin is derived from Vitamin A.  Retinol, which is a less potent form of Retin-A also has some very strong medical studies backing the effectiveness of this type of topical cream to help with scar formation.  This is a prescription formulation of Vitamin A, and is marketed under the brand names of Retin-A Micro, Renova, Avage, and Tazorac.  There is also the less potent over the counter products called Retinol.  After your surgical wound has closed up completely, applying Retin-A to the scar fades out the redness it might have and helps with exfoliating the area.  At first, Retin-A can actually make the area look worse with redness, flakiness and peeling, for up to eight weeks.  But by 24 weeks, patients will see dramatic marked improvements.  Retin-A along with the application of steri-strips helps with keeping tension off of the incision site, so a thin scar will form.

Thank you for your helpful answers everyone! I think I'll go to CVS and get myself those silicone sheets. For the most part, my scars are flat and pink without any treatment, but there is this weird area on the prophy side that is raised and red. I'll come back and tell you if the sheets helped..

Pam--FYI, CVS sells their own brand as the generic. You should find them there (and will soon have beauteous scars).

car

Cuteuous--ahahahahaha! car

Hey Pam!

Glad you found them!   I wondered about that too in washing them - wash them but don't shower in them??  Well, I did shower in them sometimes by accident (not very awake in the morning!) and ended up washing them that way.  Maybe it is to wash off any lint and stuff from the sticky side?  Hmmmm  not sure....

Saw my PS yesterday for a recheck.  He was very pleased with my incisions and symmetry and mobility of the implant.  Always a relief to hear that everything is well. 

Amy