SilDerm™ Scar Gel Clinical Information

Since the introduction of silicone in the early 1980s, its therapeutic effects on predominantly the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars have been well documented in the literature^{1, 2}.

Silicone Gel is the main stay of treatment for Plastic Surgeons and Dermatologists and it is the unique properties of silicone that make it effective and safe for treating and preventing scars.

The summaries below all show that SilDerm™ Scar Gel can be used effectively to treat and prevent scars.

 

SilDerm™ Scar Gel – Mode of Action:

Silicone in various formats has been used since the 1980’s to treat red and raised scars. The efficacy of silicone has been established in many peer reviewed studies^{3, 4}. Recent work has focused on the mode of action of silicone on the treatment of scars. The most recent theory is that occlusion is the main factor that contributes to the effectiveness of silicone on the treatment of scars. The occlusion of silicone has been proven to reduce the overproduction of collagen by regulating the transforming growth factor⁵.

Data has proven that although this is the main mode of action, other semi-occlusive dressings are not as effective as silicone at treating scars. This implies that there is something specific about silicone that above all else has an effect on flattening scars, reducing the redness and minimising the pain and itchiness.

 

SilDerm™ Scar Gel – Effectiveness:

There is data on several thousand patients, proving the effectiveness of the silicone in SilDerm™ Scar Gel. Several meta-analysis of the data have been carried out and these consistently show that patients scars improve over a 2-3 month period by up to 80%, as measured by patient satisfaction. The clinical trials generally use visual end points for the measurement of effectiveness of the treatment. New data has focussed on the use of more objective, quantitative measurements of the reduction in redness, volume, pain and itchiness of scars.

‘In addition, silicone has been prove to prevent scars compared to placebo⁶, when compared to no treatment’ in a 100 wounds on 50 patients. This study was a randomised, placebo controlled, double-blind prospective clinical trial. One hundred wounds in 50 patients were randomized into 50 control and 50 silicone gel.

[top]

Before After Pictures

[top]

Summary

SilDerm™ Scar Gel is a unique formulation of silicone that dries to form an ultra-thin layer on the skin. This provides a semi-occlusive layer, with similar breathability to the skin. This modifies the factors involved in healing to normalise the production of collagen. This in turn reduces the redness of abnormal scars, decreases their volume and reduces the pain and itchiness.

Clinical studies have proven the effectiveness of silicone at treating all types of scars, whether they are new scars, old scars, large scars or small scars.

The recommendations from the clinical reviews are clear – silicone should be used first line in all types of scars³

[top]

References:

1. Sawada Y, Sone K. Hydration and occlusion treatment for hypertrophic scars and keloids. Br J Plast Surg. 1992;45:599–603.
2. Fulton JE., Jr Silicone gel sheeting for the prevention and management of evolving hypertrophic and keloid scars. Dermatol Surg. 1995;21:947–51.
3. Mustoe TA, et al. International clinical recommendations on scar management. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002;110:560–71.
4. Durani P, Bayat A. Levels of evidence for the treatment of keloid disease. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2008;61:4–17.
5. Wound Repair Regen. 2010 Mar-Apr;18(2):235-44.Occlusion regulates epidermal cytokine production and inhibits scar formation.
6. Dermatol Surg. 1996 Sep;22(9):775-8.A randomized controlled trial of hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids