Which over the Counter Silicone Sheeting and or Paper Tape Do You Recommend for TT and Breast Lift Scars?

Question

I have read many of you recommend Silicone Sheets (they need be applied less often correct?) and Or Paper Tape... For the Tummy Tuck scars and Breast Lift scars. I have not gotten mine done yet but would like to have the needed supplies on had for when I do have it done in January of 2012. So with all of the companies telling us their product is best. What do you say?

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Breast incisions can be managed using a multimodal approach:1)  Scar massage - starting as soon as the surgical dressings come off and the incisions are sealed2)  Silicone sheets or scar gels for about six months to year3)  Embrace - a tension reducing dressing for the first 2 months4)  Fractionated lasers to help blend the scar into the background - done as a series, starting about 4 weeks after surgery and repeated every four weeks for six months.5)  Sunscreen to prevent the scars from darkeningThe main role for silicone sheets is to keep the incisions hydrated during the remodelling phase of the scar maturation.  This allows the underlying cells to work in a more optimized fashion.  The brand is less important but compliance usually follows ease of use.  Silicone usually has less skin irritation concerns with use compared to adhesives.  They can also be re-used.

Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHS · Answer

When managing scars from tummy tuck and breast lift surgeries, both silicone sheeting and paper tape are commonly recommended. Silicone sheeting or taping is often recommended by plastic surgeons due to its ability to keep the scar hydrated and promote a smoother healing process. While silicone sheets can be beneficial, some people experience skin irritation, and they tend to be more expensive. Silicone products typically require consistent use for several months for best results. I personally prefer silicone taping for my breast and body contouring patients.
Paper tape is another popular and less expensive option for scar management. Paper tape can be easily replaced as part of a regular post-surgery care routine. Follow your surgeon's protocol for scar treatment to ensure the best healing outcome.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

When patients undergo breast
lift surgery, they’re often concerned about scarring. A variety of treatment options are currently
available to treat adverse wound healing following these procedures.The use of silicone sheets, steri-strips, and tape are
all popular methods for treating postoperative scars. These materials are typically applied to the
wounds three weeks after surgery. This
allows adequate time for small areas of breakdown to heal and wound edges to
seal.Treatment lasts for variable
periods of time, but in most cases the duration is about three months.These maneuvers are associated with excellent clinical
results and high levels of patient satisfaction.At this point in time, it’s reasonable to use
silicone sheets, paper tape, and steri-strips as long as all your wounds are
completely sealed.

Rady Rahban, MD, FACS · Answer

Great Question.  The answer is YES! Silicone sheets are useful but a bit difficult to use as they often do not stay on well and can create a reaction. Personally I am a BIG fan of  paper tape.  There are many surgical tapes that are sold in drug stores, however, it is very important to purchase PAPER tape to avoid the burden of skin reactions from the adhesive of regular tape. I dispense a special surgical paper tape to my patients and do not allow them to use anything other than the tape I give them. Some patients can still have a reaction to paper tape, therefore it’s important to discontinue the tape and apply an ointment, such as aquaphor if that happens. Consult with your doctor and follow their instructions. I hope this has helped.

Howard Webster, MBBS (Hons), FRACS · Answer

All the answers here are pretty much right.  Many factors contribute to your scar, but the most important are your genetics and the tension on the surgical closure.

	Having said that, silicon tape might make a little bit of difference and I am very supportive of my patients who want to use it.

	The biggest problem with it is the extortionate cost of it!  Recently we have solved this by sourcing Siltape.  I'm in Australia and the company is in the UK, I have no financial interest or connection to the company.  One of our suppliers recently began to import it, and it has solved many problems for us in terms of usability and cost.  I'm not sure if you can get it at your location, or through the internet.

	I can't put a link in this post, but the company is Advancis and they are in the UK and the product is Siltape.  You will easily find them if you put these terms into a search.

	I can tell you that its very cheap, and very good.  It comes in a wider and a narrower tape.  Try them both. It's not as cheap as paper tape, but not too far off! And, fellow surgeons, definitely worth a try.

	Hope you can get some, and good luck with your surgery.

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

I have to agree with the others..Many of my patients use Biodermis silicone strips ordered on-line but they can get rashy (a word??) so I advise only half-day use and they are expensive. So for simplicity, I am going more and more now to brown 3M paper tape left on 2 weeks and then changed weekly by the patient, as Dr. Kyllo recommends.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

We just reviewed the topic of scar treatments at the hot topics session at the plastic surgery meeting here in denver.there is very lttle evidence that any of them help more than simple taping.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	I have used paper tape, stare strips, silicone sheeting, and silicone gel creams and haven't noticed significant differences in healing of incision lines. Unfortunately,  sometimes despite plastic surgeons best efforts abnormal scarring can occur. Often, patients who are genetically inclined to scar well will do so without any intervention whatsoever.

	I would suggest that you follow your plastic surgeons &ldquo;protocol&rdquo;;  otherwise, you may become confused/frustrated with the variety of opinions you will obtain online.

	Best wishes with your procedure.

Donald M. Brown, MD · Answer

Although many plastic surgeons recommend the use of silicone sheeting there really is no good evidence that it is superior to paper tape. I did a small study of my own patients who had undergone a tummy tuck. I had patients cover one half of their scars with paper tape and the other half with silicone without telling me what they had used on ether side........ I was unable to find any difference between the two sides.

Louis DeLuca, MD · Answer

While the usefulness of silicone sheets or other similar products to improve breast scars remains questionable, there is little real evidence that they provide any significant advantage over simple paper tape. Considering the cost alone, I would recommend paper tape over any of the products available for scar improvement. At a recent national plastic surgery meeting this topic was reviewed and the verdict was these silicone products are not likely worth the cost.

Which over the Counter Silicone Sheeting and or Paper Tape Do You Recommend for TT and Breast Lift Scars?

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