Embrace vs. Cica-Care or Scaraway?

Question

Embrace scar treatments for 60 days cost about $600, but Scaraway or Cica-Care costs only abut $30 to $50. Why Embrace is costly? Which one is best? Embrace claims their product is better than others. I had a tummy tuck and breast lift. Are both Embrace and Scaraway just silicone tapes or Embrace is more than a sillicon tape?

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Great question...I have been using Embrace for almost 3 years with all kinds of incisions. This has dramatically improved my results. I can also tell you that nothing I have used before (15 years of practice) has worked this well.Please see the link below and check out my Embrace before and after photo gallery.

Daniel Butz, MD · Answer

Embrace is different from other silicone sheeting by actively taking tension off of the incision site using it's special application process. Tension is a major contributor to scar width so being able to relieve that tension is a key component of why Embrace is more expensive but also a better solution.

John Layke, DO, FACS · Answer

Embrace Scar Therapy is the ONLY scar treatment that has been scientifically and clinically proven to improve the appearance of a scar.  End of story

Payman Danielpour, MD, FACS · Answer

Embrace is the only FDA approved scar treatment that is evidence based by scientific research through randomized controlled trials that shows that it works!  It is a pre-stretched silicone sheet that is applied on the scar once every 10 days for 60 days.  Using this scar treatment has been proven to reduce the appearance of scars and that is why we use it on all of our surgical scars.  I highly recommend it!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Without a doubt, I prefer dynamic scar therapies such as Plato's Scar Serum with scar modulation vs. Embrace silicone patches. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

John LoMonaco, MD, FACS · Answer

Embrace has delivered good results in my practice, and it is backed by good research data.  It is very different than simple silicone tape for scars, which does not shrink when applied and therefore does not take tension off the incision during the early phase of healing.  It is pricey, and we include all assessment and application services for our patients as part of the price.

Steven Bailey, MD · Answer

Embrace, Cica-Care, and Scar away are all silicone but that is where the similarity end. Embrace was designed to also reduce tension across the incision line as well. It is priced differently due ti several advantages, constant tension reduction,  water proof, and it usually is applied by a trained professional. The other products work passively. In my practice they all have a role but Embrace is at the tip and the other  silicone products fall somewhere below. I hope that helps. Best Wishes

Daniel Brown, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your questions.  Embrace is silicone scar therapy with an active tension-reducing component (pulls the edges of the skin on each side of the scar toward the scar, decreasing the tension on the healing scar).   The other treatments that you mention are passive silicone therapy (no tension reduction).  Embrace is costly because of it's elastic properties and proprietary skin adhesive.
In my personal opinion and professional experience, Embrace works very well with superior scar healing and appearance, and this has been also been demonstrated in several clinical studies. Passive silicone therapies do improve scar healing and appearance compared to no treatment at all, they just do not appear to work as well as Embrace.  Embrace is certainly more costly, so if this is a major concern, please take that into consideration.  If your biggest concern is maximizing the appearance of your scar, then I would recommend treatment with Embrace.
Best wishes!
Dr. Brown

Embrace vs. Cica-Care or Scaraway?

Answers (8)