The evidence we found comes from a few studies (sometimes only one), often in small numbers of people, with poorly reported results, so we are not sure how reliable the results are.
Our certainty (confidence) in the evidence was low, or very low. The evidence is also very uncertain about the effect of silicone gel sheets on pain compared with Gecko Nanoplast. We are uncertain whether silicone gel sheets decrease pain compared with self-adhesive propylene glycol and hydroxyethyl cellulose sheeting. Silicone gel sheets may also result in a slight reduction in pain levels compared with no treatment with silicone gel sheets. Silicone gel sheets may reduce pain levels compared with pressure garments. We are uncertain whether silicone gel sheets improve a scar's appearance better than no treatment with silicone gel sheets, or silicone gel, or polyurethane. Silicone gel sheets may slightly improve the appearance of hypertrophic scars compared with onion extract. The studies did not give enough information to compare silicone gel sheets with steroid injections, laser therapy or pulsed light. No studies reported useful results for people's well-being (quality of life): for whether people stayed on the treatment (adherence), whether the treatments had any unwanted effects or whether the treatments were cost-effective (the benefits of treatment outweighed any extra costs). No studies reported useful results for the person's own assessment of their scar after treatment.
They lasted for different lengths of time: from 3 months to 12 months.įour studies reported assessments of scars by healthcare professionals in way that was usable for this review. The studies compared the effects of silicone gel sheets with: giving no treatment with silicone gel sheets wearing pressure garments applying silicone gel or onion extract polyurethane dressings steroid injections laser therapy intense pulsed light or Gecko Nanoplast (a silicone gel bandage).Īll studies were conducted in hospitals, in Europe (6 studies), China (2), the USA (1), Canada (1), Iran (1), Turkey (1) and India (1). We found 13 studies with 468 people (425 of them completed the study) with hypertrophic scars caused by surgery, injury, burns or scalding. These studies give the most reliable evidence about the effects of a treatment. We searched for randomised controlled trials only, in which the treatment each person receives is chosen at random. We searched for studies that investigated the use of silicone gel sheets to treat hypertrophic scars. In this Cochrane Review, we wanted to find out how well silicone gel sheets worked in treating hypertrophic scars.
#Silicone scar sheets skin
They are commonly used on healing skin to help soften and flatten a hypertrophic scar. They have a soft, rubbery texture and stick to the skin. Silicone gel sheets are soft wound dressings containing an elastic form of silicone. They include: wearing clothing that fits tightly around the skin (pressure garments) treatments applied to the scar laser therapy and silicone gel sheets. Treatments aim to improve a scar’s appearance and help to make it less visible. Scarring can affect people physically and emotionally, and can affect a person's well-being. Scars can be itchy, painful or unsightly, and may restrict movement. Hypertrophic scars may take several years to flatten and fade. Most scars will fade and become paler over time, but some scars may become red and raised (called hypertrophic scars). A scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound or injury has healed, for example, after surgery or after a burn.