Which over the Counter Silicone Sheeting and or Paper Tape Do You Recommend for TT and Breast Lift Scars?

Thank you for your question. Breast incisions can be managed using a multimodal approach:1) Scar massage - starting as soon as the surgical dressings come off and the incisions are sealed2) Silicone sheets or scar gels for about six months to year3) Embrace - a tension reducing dressing for the first 2 months4) Fractionated lasers to help blend the scar into the background - done as a series, starting about 4 weeks after surgery and repeated every four weeks for six months.5) Sunscreen to prevent the scars from darkeningThe main role for silicone sheets is to keep the incisions hydrated during the remodelling phase of the scar maturation.  This allows the underlying cells to work in a more optimized fashion.  The brand is less important but compliance usually follows ease of use.  Silicone usually has less skin irritation concerns with use compared to adhesives.  They can also be re-used. 

When managing scars from tummy tuck and breast lift surgeries, both silicone sheeting and paper tape are commonly recommended. Silicone sheeting or taping is often recommended by plastic surgeons due to its ability to keep the scar hydrated and promote a smoother healing process. While silicone sheets can be beneficial, some people experience skin irritation, and they tend to be more expensive. Silicone products typically require consistent use for several months for best results. I personally prefer silicone taping for my breast and body contouring patients.
Paper tape is another popular and less expensive option for scar management. Paper tape can be easily replaced as part of a regular post-surgery care routine. Follow your surgeon's protocol for scar treatment to ensure the best healing outcome.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

When patients undergo breast
lift surgery, they’re often concerned about scarring. A variety of treatment options are currently
available to treat adverse wound healing following these procedures.The use of silicone sheets, steri-strips, and tape are
all popular methods for treating postoperative scars. These materials are typically applied to the
wounds three weeks after surgery. This
allows adequate time for small areas of breakdown to heal and wound edges to
seal.Treatment lasts for variable
periods of time, but in most cases the duration is about three months.These maneuvers are associated with excellent clinical
results and high levels of patient satisfaction.At this point in time, it’s reasonable to use
silicone sheets, paper tape, and steri-strips as long as all your wounds are
completely sealed.

Great Question.  The answer is YES! Silicone sheets are useful but a bit difficult to use as they often do not stay on well and can create a reaction. Personally I am a BIG fan of  paper tape.  There are many surgical tapes that are sold in drug stores, however, it is very important to purchase PAPER tape to avoid the burden of skin reactions from the adhesive of regular tape. I dispense a special surgical paper tape to my patients and do not allow them to use anything other than the tape I give them. Some patients can still have a reaction to paper tape, therefore it’s important to discontinue the tape and apply an ointment, such as aquaphor if that happens. Consult with your doctor and follow their instructions. I hope this has helped.

All the answers here are pretty much right.  Many factors contribute to your scar, but the most important are your genetics and the tension on the surgical closure.

Having said that, silicon tape might make a little bit of difference and I am very supportive of my patients who want to use it.

The biggest problem with it is the extortionate cost of it!  Recently we have solved this by sourcing Siltape.  I'm in Australia and the company is in the UK, I have no financial interest or connection to the company.  One of our suppliers recently began to import it, and it has solved many problems for us in terms of usability and cost.  I'm not sure if you can get it at your location, or through the internet.

I can't put a link in this post, but the company is Advancis and they are in the UK and the product is Siltape.  You will easily find them if you put these terms into a search.

I can tell you that its very cheap, and very good.  It comes in a wider and a narrower tape.  Try them both. It's not as cheap as paper tape, but not too far off! And, fellow surgeons, definitely worth a try.

Hope you can get some, and good luck with your surgery.