Vaseline or silicone tape for scars?

Question

My surgeon has me wearing vaseline on my scars, but it's getting expensive buying the non-stick gauze pads to protect my bras. I only change the gauze every morning. I've read about Mepitac Silicone gel Tape. Would that be another good option for me to try?

Sacha Obaid, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question!  Assuming your incisions have fully healed, you should begin a scar treatment whether it's cream or tape.  Silicone based treatments are best for fading scars.  In my practice I recommend a silicone based scar cream called Biocornium.  With this cream you allow it to dry for approximately 15 minutes before dressing and no gauze is required to cover it.  Ask your plastic surgeon if he has a silicone treatment he/she recommends.  Good luck!

Marcus Davis, MBBS, MRM, FRCSEd (Plast) · Answer

Dear Ms McKinnon,

Thanks for the great question.
I do not know how long post-op you are, but I am assuming that your wounds have healed.
Vaseline is a cheap and very good option to apply to scars to help encourage them to be soft and supple and to settle down post-operatively, but I understand your point about the additional cost of the gauze dressings to protect your bras. If you are putting sufficient amounts of vaseline on then you would not need expensive non-stick gauze an can use normal gauze - the vaseline will help prevent the gauze sticking to your healing wounds.
If the funds are healed then you can simply apply and massage-in any moisturiser 2-3x per day for 3 months - this will help to soften, fade and mature your scars. If you have Bio-oil then this is also a good option. Silicone Gel or tape are also great options, but expensive. If you have access to these and your wounds are healed over, then it is certainly the 'Gold' standard - you can still however apply moisturiser first off, allow it to soak in and then apply the silicone. You only take the silicone gel sheeting off to shower and reapply moisturiser. This is useful every day for the first 3-6 months.
Apply sunblock (SPF50) to scars if they are exposed to UV light at anytime during the first 2 years after surgery so as to try to prevent any scar hyper pigmentation.
I wish you well, and you should seek the advice of your operating surgeon - hopefully a Board certified Plastic surgeon.
BW
Marcus

Vaseline or silicone tape for scars?

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