I have had an Arm Lift 4 weeks ago, I'm using a scar silicon gel, Strataderm, once a day. Would it be better to use twice a day?

Thank you for your question regarding the fact that you had an arm lift or brachioplasty 4 weeks ago, and are using a scar silicon gel, Strataderm, once a day and whether it is better to use it twice a day. Every plastic surgeon has a specific recipe for maximizing the appearance of scars. Medical research has proven that the best topical cream for scars is silicone. Silicone is superior to vitamin E, body oils, shea butter, or coconut butter. Silicone can be applied to a scar once the incision has healed. Silicone can be directly applied to the scar. Silicon should only be applied to a scar for 12 hours a day. If silicone is applied for over 12 hours, many patients can experience hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is a condition where melanin deposits next to the scar. Melanin is the chemical that causes the skin to pigment. Unfortunately, hyperpigmentation due to silicone is difficult to treat and may require skin-bleaching creams and lasers. Therefore, you should only wear the silicone for approximately 12 hours daily. Most plastic surgeons suggest applying silicone cream to the scar. The scar is then covered with silicone gel sheeting, which is kept in place by a medical-grade compartment garment. Silicone cream, silicone gel sheeting, and arm lift garments are worn for approximately 12 hours daily. Ideally, this therapy is continued for two years. Applying silicone is necessary since the arm lift scar takes approximately two years to mature fully. In addition, you should protect the arm lift scar from the sun. Solar radiation energy can negatively impact the appearance of surgical scars. Good luck. I hope I have answered your question regarding the fact that you had an arm lift or brachioplasty 4 weeks ago, and are using a scar silicon gel, Strataderm, once a day, and whether it is better to use it twice daily. If you have any questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, or brachioplasty, please get in touch with an arm lift expert. Since a brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is difficult, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of arm lifts. Do your research. Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 150 arm lifts. Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it. Please carefully look over their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Silicone scar sheeting has been shown to improve scarring following cosmetic surgery. It's important to maintain pressure with this sheeting continuously. For this reason, most surgeons recommend that it be used for 23 out of every 24 hours. If you have specific questions regarding its use, make sure you talk to your plastic surgeon.

Silicone sheets tend to achieve noticeable improvement for my patients. Keep them on as advised and they can be reused. However you should ask your surgeon for their advice. 

JD,I get this question all the time and its important to know what works and what is just hype.Arm lift scars are the most annoying scars to plastic surgeons and there really is no way around them but there are ways to improve them. Currently, the only proven method of reducing scar hypertrophy is silicone based products or hydrocortisone injections.I would certainly have to examine you to give accurate advice but hypothetically speaking since you are only 4 weeks out I would stick to the silicone based products. To be honest, silicone sheeting will work better than any gel. If you can wear sleeves to conceal the sheeting I would wear it nonstop throughout the day and night. Take off only to shower. If you ever see a burn patient compression garment, they are lined with silicone sheeting to reduce scar formation. Its because it works!The good thing is you can find the silicone sheets at CVS and they are reasonably priced. If you still want to use your gel, place that underneath the silicone sheeting.I hope you found this helpful,Dr. BarrettBeverly Hills, CA

Silicone gel sheeting (SGS) is usually worn 23 hrs a day, only taken off during showers etc. Other plastic surgeons recommend to place SGS on at night and off during the day. The treatment duration is 3 months and can improve the over-all appearance of surgical scars. I would advise massaging the scar as well twice or three times a day after that with Bio-Oil (Vit E) to help break up some of that scar tissue. For scars that continue to remain pink/red, vascular lasers (like the V-beam laser) can be beneficial as well.Good luck!