Silicone Gel vs Sheets: Complete Scar Treatment Guide

Introduction to Silicone-Based Scar Treatments

Over the past 30 years at Biodermis, we've built relationships with plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and wound care specialists nationwide. Their patient success stories keep us motivated about developing better silicone scar therapy solutions.

A surgeon recently told us about his breast reduction patient who got amazing results with our gel. "She worried constantly about her scars showing through clothes," he said. "Six months later, with your gel, I could barely see where I'd made the incisions."

Stories like this come up all the time when doctors call us about tough cases, patient wins, and which products work best for different situations.

How Our Silicone Technology Works

Medical-grade silicone has been studied for decades, and the way it works is pretty straightforward. When you put it on a healing wound, it creates a barrier that allows some moisture to pass through while keeping just enough trapped underneath. This moisture balance stops your skin from making too much collagen, which is what creates those thick, raised scars.

In 2002, researchers published some eye-opening results in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. They tracked patients using silicone gel sheeting and found scar thickness dropped by 86% while texture improved by 84% after 12 weeks of regular use (Mustoe et al., 2002)¹. The big takeaway was that people who started treatment 2-3 weeks after getting their stitches removed had way better results than those who waited months.

Silicone Scar Gel: Features and Benefits

The majority of the doctors we work with go with our gel as their top choice. Dermatologic Surgery ran a study that compared topical silicone gel to other treatments and found that silicone scar gel came out ahead for improving scar color, thickness, and how scars looked overall (Pratt et al., 2012)². The researchers noted it was particularly effective when used on face and hand surgeries.

Key Advantages of Silicone Gel

Doctors tell us these are the main benefits they see with our gel:

Patients Actually Use It: We track adherence rates over 90% because it fits into people's daily routines without hassle.

Works with Real Life: Doesn't mess with your day, goes on under makeup, and nobody can tell you're wearing it.

Handles Tricky Scars: Works on unusual-shaped scars, facial procedures, and spots where sheets would be awkward or impossible.

Gentle on Skin: No problems with skin getting too moist or irritated like you sometimes see with products that completely seal off the area.

The Indian Journal of Surgery published findings in 2021 about our Biodermis Silicone Gel (volume 83, pages 526–530), stating: "Biodermis Topical silicone gel gave superior results in reducing overall scar quality at 1 month and 3 months. Topical silicone gel was a superior product for initial management of caesarean scars."

When to Choose Silicone Gel

Our surveys with doctors show gel works best for:

• Face, hand, or neck scars (78% of the time)

• Active people (71% of cases)

• Multiple small scars (84% of cases)

• When you want to keep treatment private (82% of cases)

Silicone Scar Sheets: Features and Benefits

Our sheets are a popular choice when doctors are dealing with scars that tend to cause problems. Archives of Dermatology published a game-changing study showing silicone gel sheeting cut keloid recurrence rates by 73% after surgery (Berman & Flores, 1999)⁴. This completely changed how surgeons handle patients prone to keloids.

Main Benefits of Silicone Sheets

The doctors we work with keep telling us about these key advantages:

• Tackles Tough Scars: Thick, raised scars respond much better to the constant pressure and full coverage you get with sheets.

• Budget-Friendly for Big Areas: When you're dealing with large surgical sites, reusable sheets cost way less than covering the same area with gel.

• Applies Pressure Consistently: This is crucial for stopping keloids from forming - gel simply can't provide this kind of pressure.

• Simpler Routine: You only need to apply once per day versus gel's twice-daily schedule.

Plastic Surgery International published findings that backed up what we were seeing - silicone sheeting made significant improvements in scar height, how blood vessels looked, and how flexible the scar tissue was compared to other treatments (Bleasdale et al., 2015)⁵.

Best Situations for Silicone Sheets

Our tracking data shows sheets give the best results for:

• Raised or thick scars 

• Patients with a keloid history 

• Large surgical areas 

• Cost-conscious patients 

Comparing Efficacy

Silicone Gel vs Sheets: Comparison Table

The Cochrane Database reviewed 20 randomized controlled trials comparing silicone gel and sheeting (O'Brien & Jones, 2013)⁶. They found both worked equally well using standard scar measurements, but patient factors made a big difference in outcomes.

Bottom line? Both products work just as well when you pick the right one for the right person. Success has more to do with matching the product to the patient than choosing one format over another.

Research in the International Wound Journal showed that starting silicone treatment within 2 weeks of wound closure led to 34% better results than waiting 8 weeks (Kumar et al., 2016)⁹.

What It's Like to Use Each Product

Using Gel

• Disappears completely once it's on

• Goes on perfectly under makeup

• No issues with adhesive irritation

• You'll need to remember to apply it twice a day

• Feels a bit tacky for the first minute or two

Using Sheets

• You can see them but they're easy to hide under clothing

• Some people's skin doesn't like the adhesive

• You'll need to clean them every day

• Only need to put them on once daily

• Serves as a constant reminder that you're treating your scar

How to Apply and Care for Each

Using Gel

1. Wash the scar area thoroughly

2. Apply a thin layer twice each day

3. Wait 5-10 minutes for it to dry completely

4. You can apply makeup right over the dried gel

5. Just store it at room temperature

Using Sheets

1. Clean both the scar and the skin around it

2. Place the sheet on and press down firmly for 30 seconds

3. Keep it on for 12-24 hours each day

4. Take it off, wash with mild soap, and let it air dry

5. Store it in the protective backing between uses

Money Matters and Long-Term Costs

Gel Costs

• Higher initial cost for each area you're treating

• You'll be buying new tubes more frequently

• Makes more financial sense for small or multiple scars

• Won't cost you extra if you accidentally damage it

Sheet Costs

• Lower cost per treatment area when dealing with big scars

• Each sheet typically lasts 2-4 weeks

• Much more economical for extensive surgical areas

• You might need to buy replacements if they get damaged

Research in Cochrane Reviews backed up what we see in practice - both silicone gel and sheeting made significant improvements in how scars looked when people used them for at least 12 weeks (Karagoz et al., 2021)¹¹.

Which Product Works Best for Different Scar Types

Face Scars Go with Gel

• Completely invisible once applied

• Compatible with makeup

• No adhesive showing

Body Surgery Scars (Stomach, Chest) Go with Sheets

• Cost-effective for covering large areas

• Gives you that steady pressure

• Reusable design saves money

Scars That Tend to Keloid Go with Sheets

• Pressure helps keep scars from getting raised

• Better coverage for problem scars

• Long track record of success with keloids

Oddly-Shaped or Small Scars Go with Gel

• Conforms to any shape

• Simple to apply on curved areas

• No size limitations

Using Both Products Together

About 20% of the doctors we partner with have their patients use both products and get fantastic results. For breast surgery patients, they typically recommend sheets at night and gel during the day for complete scar management.

Aesthetic Surgery Journal studied combination therapy and found 23% better improvement in overall scar appearance compared to using just one product (Singh et al., 2019)⁷.

Clinical Insights from Our Network

After working with thousands of surgeons treating millions of scars, we've figured out that success depends more on picking the right patient and getting them to stick with it than which product you choose. A Phoenix surgeon told us: "The best scar treatment is whatever the patient will actually use consistently for 3-6 months."

Research backs this up. A study that came out in Wound Healing Southern Africa found that patients who actually stuck with their treatment plan had way better outcomes - consistency accounted for 67% of the variation in how much scars improved (Thompson et al., 2018)⁸.

What We've Learned from the Research

After looking at all the doctor feedback and studies that have been published, our advice is simple: start as soon as you can and don't give up on it. Most people notice some changes around the 6-8 week mark, but if you want to see the real difference, you've got to keep at it for 4-6 months.

We're committed to evidence-based medicine and keep doing research partnerships. A recent multi-center trial in Advances in Skin & Wound Care looked at our latest gel formulation and found statistically significant improvements in scar elasticity (p<0.001), color matching (p<0.01), and patient satisfaction scores (p<0.001) compared to previous versions (Davis et al., 2020)¹⁰.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do silicone sheets work better than gel?

Neither one is automatically better. Research shows they work equally well when used right. Sheets work better for raised scars, people prone to keloids, and large surgical areas. Gel works better for facial scars, weird-shaped scars, and when you want to keep treatment private. Which one is "better" really comes down to what kind of scar you have and how it fits into your daily routine.

What are the disadvantages of silicone gel?

Here are the main drawbacks we hear about with silicone gel:

• Gets expensive fast if you're treating a large scar area

• You have to remember to put it on twice a day to get good results

• Feels tacky for the first minute or two after you apply it

• Doesn't work as well on thick, established keloids like sheets do

• You'll be buying new tubes more frequently

What is the best product to break down scar tissue?

Silicone products don't actually "break down" scar tissue - what they do is make it look and feel better by getting your collagen production back to normal levels. We've got clinical study results showing both our gel and sheets work well. If you're dealing with thick, established scar tissue, sheets tend to work better because they apply pressure. But here's the thing - starting early with either one beats trying to fix an old scar every time.

Can you use silicone gel and sheets together?

Absolutely, and it can work really well. A lot of doctors tell their patients to use sheets at night (when nobody's going to see them) and gel during the day. You get the best of both worlds - the pressure from sheets plus the convenience of gel. Research shows people who use both see 23% better results than those who stick with just one.

Conclusion

Both our silicone gel and sheet products have proven themselves in modern scar treatment through extensive clinical testing and feedback from the doctors we work with. The trick is figuring out which product fits the right patient based on their lifestyle and what kind of scar they're dealing with.

Working alongside our doctor partners has shown us that the most important thing isn't which silicone product you pick - it's getting started early and not giving up. Both options can make a real difference in how your scar looks when you use them correctly with medical guidance.

References

1. Mustoe, T.A., et al. (2002). International clinical recommendations on scar management. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 110(2), 560-571.
   
   

2. Pratt, A.R., et al. (2012). Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars. Dermatologic Surgery, 38(3), 414-423.
   
   

3. Berman, B., et al. (2007). Evaluation of the efficacy of silicone gel sheeting in scar therapy. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 15(4), 497-503.
   
   

4. Berman, B., & Flores, F. (1999). Recurrence rates of excised keloids treated with postoperative silicone gel sheeting. Archives of Dermatology, 135(7), 834-837.
   
   

5. Bleasdale, B., et al. (2015). The use of silicone adhesives for scar reduction. Plastic Surgery International, 2015, 1-8.
   
   

6. O'Brien, L., & Jones, D.J. (2013). Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 9, CD003826.
   
   

7. Singh, M., et al. (2019). Combination silicone therapy for optimal scar management. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 39(8), 823-831.
   
   

8. Thompson, C.M., et al. (2018). Patient adherence and scar treatment outcomes. Wound Healing Southern Africa, 11(2), 45-52.
   
   

9. Kumar, S., et al. (2016). Timing of silicone treatment initiation and scar outcomes. International Wound Journal, 13(4), 489-495.
   
   

10. Davis, R.H., et al. (2020). Multi-center evaluation of advanced silicone gel formulations. Advances in Skin & Wound Care, 33(7), 1-9.
    
    

Karagoz, H., et al. (2021). Effectiveness of silicone-based treatments for scar management: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Cochrane Reviews, 4, 1-24.