Silicone is a key ingredient in the treatments we use here at Scarfade, and there are very good reasons for that. Today we’ll explore why silicone is so great at healing and fading scars, whether you use it in gel form or sheet form.
In general, silicone prevents scars by creating a protective second layer that prevents the area from losing water. You need moisture to heal. If your skin gets too dry, tiny cracks will pop up that can encourage bacteria, which is another factor that slows down healing. Silicone lets your skin breathe because it is porous, speeding up healing even further.
Silicone for scar treatment purposes isn’t anything new. It’s been used for years, and that’s because it works. The technology driving silicone sheets and gels, while relatively new to drug stores, has been utilized in hospitals and burn centers for several decades now.
Silicone achieves four top goals:
- It improves skin hydration
- It protects the scar from the environment
- It reduces itching
- It promotes healthy collagen production
Continual Application
No silicone gel or other treatment will heal a scar overnight. You have to be diligent in applying it over several weeks or months before you see results. Keep in mind that the newer your scar is, it will do better with silicone treatment because it is not fully healed yet. Older scars don’t respond quite as well as new ones because they’re already set in, discolored and formed.
There may be some discomfort that comes with scar healing, which is another thing that Scarfade and gentle massage can do: relieve discomfort. Scar tissue doesn’t stretch as much when it’s dried out. When you add silicone, this restores hydration to lock in the moisture you need to heal. You should also keep your healing scar out of the sun, as scars are at risk for hyperpigmentation.
A scar is the natural reaction of healing that our bodies use. When a wound occurs, the skin closes it up so infection can’t set in. Tissue will quickly start to rebuild as your body sends fibroblasts to the scene. These are cells responsible for making collagen. While this is a quick process of repair, the smoothest patterns don’t always result because the new skin cells aren’t as careful about arranging themselves. Speed is the name of the game – an evolutionary instinct – and results from an excess of collagen. Thus, a scar is born.
Why Silicone?
It’s easy. Silicone:
- Can be used on any size or type of scar.
- Is easy to use and easy to tolerate, even those with sensitive skin.
- Can be applied to skin surfaces that are irregular such as the face or joints.
- Is proven to be safe and effective.
- Spreads out thinly, drying quickly without residue.
Now that you know all the benefits of silicone, check out our products and pick some up today!