Biocorneum: What You Need to Know
Pros & cons
How much it costs
How it works
How to use it
Fast facts
Biocorneum Advanced Scar Treatment is silicone gel you can use at home to minimize the appearance of scars from plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures, trauma, wounds, or burns.
The key ingredient is a crosslinking silicone called Silishield that’s effective on both new and old scars. Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it can prevent the formation of hypertrophic and keloid scars, soften existing ones, and diminish redness or other discoloration on the skin’s surface.Â
The gel is also formulated with SPF 30, providing UV light and sun protection to keep your scar from experiencing the darkening effects of sun exposure.Â
You don’t need a prescription for Biocorneum, but it’s best to buy it directly from your doctor’s office in order to ensure it’s an authorized product.
Pros
- It’s easy to apply at home. The self-adhering gel dries smooth and clear.
- Biocorneum is flexible enough to use around joints and areas where the skin flexes a lot.
- The formula is suitable for sensitive skin, and there’s a version specifically formulated to address itchiness.
Cons
- Results require commitment. Biocorneum should be applied daily for a few months.
- Scars are a natural outcome of an incision or injury—proof of your body’s ability to heal—so silicone therapies won’t eliminate all evidence of them completely.Â
- The gel can feel sticky before it dries, and drying time may be longer than expected.
- Average Cost:
- $50
Biocorneum Advanced Scar Treatment is available in three different sizes: 10 g, 20 g, and 50 g. It’s most cost-effective to buy the amount you’ll need for your scar length and planned duration of treatment ahead of time.
- 10 g: 60-day treatment of new scars 2–3 inches long
- 20 g: 60-day treatment of new scars 4–6 inches long
- 50 g: 60-day treatment of new scars 7–9 inches long; 90-day treatment of old scars
Medical-grade silicone is commonly used in scar therapy. Typically available in bandage-like sheets, silicone products act as occlusives to keep the skin hydrated and control the excessive collagen formation that contributes to thick, raised scars. Forming a protective barrier over an incision can also help hold the skin together for smoother healing, preventing movements that stretch the skin and widen the incision.
Biocorneum’s unique gel applies easily and adheres to your skin as it dries. The key ingredient is an FDA-cleared, cross-linked silicone called Silishield. The gel dries clear and smooth, staying flexible and breathable, though you may see a slight sheen over the treated area.Â
The Biocorneum formula also includes SPF 30, which protects your skin from UV light, to keep your scar from darkening. For people who experience itching along their scars, there’s a version that contains 1% hydrocortisone acetate to calm the itch.
Silicone scar therapies like Biocorneum should be applied only over healed incisions—not open wounds—after the sutures have been removed. Depending on the specifics of your injury and recovery, your wound should be completely closed within three to six weeks, at which point you can begin applying Biocorneum.Â
“I recommend starting Biocorneum after the wound has reepithelialized, once the scabs are gone and the area has the fresh-pink color of new skin,” says Dr. Mark Been, a facial plastic surgeon in Geneva, Illinois, in a RealSelf Q&A.
For best results, the silicone gel should be applied daily to clean, dry skin. It should adhere to your skin for 12–24 hours before needing to be reapplied. You can apply lotions and makeup over it, but let it dry completely first.
Wait 15 minutes after application before going into the sun. It can be helpful to apply additional sunscreen over your Biocorneum.
The recommended minimum treatment time for new scars is 60 days. For older scars, it’s 90 days. Biocorneum is most effective when it’s in contact with the scar 24 hours a day, during the entire length of the treatment.
Updated June 13, 2023