Does Dermatix Silicone Gel Work for Surgery Scar?

Silicone can be beneficial to longstanding scars. The exact mechanism of action is unknown as is thought to possibly be related to the electrical charge although temperature, moisture, oxygen deprivation, pressure may also be contributing factors.
Use of sunscreens is also advised.
Excessive application can lead to maceration and fungal infection.

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Some studies have shown that scars can take up to two years or perhaps longer to fully mature. Silicone gel sheeting has been shown to be an effective adjuvant (additional) treatment for hypertrophic or raised scars. It exerts a pressure effect on the scar that can result in clinical improvement of the scars even as old as two years so I would recommend the use of them. You also might want to ask your surgeon about laser treatments which can also help. I hope this information helps.

Silicone gels for scars can provide some modest benefit to soften and reduce scarring. They are not magic, and often there are other better options your physician can discuss with you to improve scarring: laser resurfacing, cortisone injections, scar revision etc. For a thick, red scar, cortisone injections or pulse-dye laser can be quite effective.

Some scars can stay red for more than a year, and yes some silicone treatments may help or any form of pressure dressing like paper tape or steristrips.