What do you think about Embrace for scar management?

Embrace is a great option to start treating scars before they fully form. It is the only product in multiple randomized clinical trials clinically proven to reduce the formation of scars. It works by relieving tension created during the healing process. Tension is the second biggest factor in scar formation. It is a low-maintenance, water-resistant silicone dressing that is comfortable to wear, and each dressing application lasts 10+ days, offering constant medical-grade silicone compression. In my practice, we apply the dressing during 5 brief in-office visits over an 8 week period, and feedback from my patients has been very positive.Hope this helps.Nick Slenkovich, MD, FACS

Embrace is a unique silicone sheeting application that takes the tension off the healing wound. This is a critical component of wound healing that no other product provides. It also has the hydrating effects of silicone. I recommend it to anyone who's concerned about scarring. 

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Embrace Active Scar Defense is a great scar treatment device. After a mommy makeover, it would be highly beneficial to use Embrace on your incisions. Embrace combats scar surface tension, which is an important factor in scar formation. Patient satisfaction with this product is very high, and it is preferred by many plastic surgeons and its efficacy has been demonstrated in multiple clinical trials. The Embrace Active Scar Defense device comes in a variety of sizes, and, therefore, it can be used to prevent bad scarring with several different procedures, such as tummy tuck, breast lift, breast reduction, reconstruction, arm lift, and more. The treatment is started 1-2 weeks after surgery and continued for 8-10 weeks. If you are prone to bad scarring, you may want use Embrace for longer. It is important to consult your board-certified plastic surgeon regarding scar treatments, as he or she is your best resource. I wish you luck in your research!

This is the only product I'm currently recommending in my practice because I've seen it work so well. Please see some samples of the incisions in the link below.

Hi.  For those patients that want the best possible scar outcome, or those who have had troubles with scar quality in the past, I recommend using Embrace dressings, for the recommended 8 week time period.  We use it on a lot our tummy tucks, for example.  It really helps - and it's a thoroughly researched product.However, some people (about 15%) will get skin irritation or rash, and won't be able to complete the treatment.

Hello! Thank you for the question! It is common for scars to fully mature for up to a year. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to ameliorate your incision/scar. The most proven (as well as cheapest) modality is simple scar massage. Applying pressure and massaging the well-healed scar has been shown to improve the appearance as it breaks up the scar tissue, hopefully producing the finest scar as possible. Other things that have been shown to add some benefit, albeit controversial, are silicone sheets, hydration, and topical steroids. I typically allow after 4-6 weeks postop and once fully healed. In addition, avoidance of direct sunlight to the incision will significantly help the appearance as they tend to discolor with UV light during the healing process.  Embrace is an excellent modality and have seen great results utilizing silicone and reduction of incision tension. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately a year's time, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself. Lasers may also be an option for the appearance of your scars. If still no result, consideration for lasers, steroids, or scar revision may be entertained. Best wishes!

We have been using Embrace for tummy tuck scars and have seen good results.  Embrace essentially removes tension from the abdominoplasty incision while it is placed on the skin.  We know that tension can make scars more visible.  There is extra cost as well as the inconvenience of wearing the dressing, but we feel the benefit outweighs the negatives.

Scarring can be reduced by following your surgeon's post-surgery care instructions and keeping the scars out of the sun. Sun exposure can cause permanent darkening. You can also consider topical scar treatments once the steristrips have fallen off. Talk to your surgeon about silicone gel and silicone sheeting. Best of luck!

Thanks for your question.  Scars will fade and improve on the own with time, 12-18 months.  Embrace is a new technology that shows great promise for scar improvement on the abdomen after tummy tuck or body lift surgery.  Generally we place the device at 2-3 weeks postop, and change it weekly for 8 weeks.  It does add a few hundred dollars to the cost, however.  Other products such as silicone pads have shown some improvement as well.  Many patients ask about vitamine E or cocoa butter.  I am not aware of any studies that have shown any improvement with these products.  Mederma may or may not help as well.  Good luck and ask your surgeon their preference.