It’s an interesting invention to say the least. Silicone scar sheets have very effective for many people but the funny thing is scientists don’t know exactly how or why they work!

History
The use of silicone sheets for scars was first discovered in the 1980’s and it was actually by accident. A doctor was using a silicone sheet in an attempt to have the pressure be applied more evenly to the scar. He discovered that it had an unintended side effect – the appearance of the scar appeared to heal better!

Today’s Use
Now the use of silicone is very common in scar treatments. There are even products sold at the drugstore which use this technology, like Neosporin Scar Solution. However most sizes of these are rather small so they aren’t always ideal for surgical incisions. There are a handful of specialty medical companies that make large pure silicone sheets. Although a prescription is not necessary to purchase them, you will have to ask your pharmacist to order them for you simply because there isn’t a huge demand for them so the big drugstores rarely, if ever carry them in stock. Alternately, you can buy them online (which is how I bought mine after my accident).

What Types of Scars Do They Work Best On?
Generally, the sheets are known to be most effective for raised scars, including hypertrophic scarring. When it comes to that ugly dark red discoloration we get, it is not know to be very effective. But that’s not a bad thing, because there are many different scar remover treatments available – like laser skin resurfacing – which you can get later on to help with the discoloration.

The #1 Treatment Tip
Besides consulting your dermatologist, the number one tip you should follow is starting treatment early. You see scar tissue actually is harder to treat the older it is. As it ages, not only will it harden but the discoloration becomes deeper. This is why they often say it’s best to start your treatment regimen within six months from your surgery and even sooner if your doctor says it’s okay to do so.