Scar tape and silicone sheets: do they work and how to use them
How silicone scar sheets and scar tape work, which scars they help and which they don't, when to start, how long to wear them, and when a scar needs a doctor.
Written by the Glowpedia team · not yet reviewed by our dermatologist
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Silicone scar sheets and silicone gel are among the few scar products that dermatologists and surgeons commonly recommend. They do not erase scars, but they may help raised scars become flatter, softer and less red, especially when you start early and wear them consistently.
Quick answer: Silicone sheets, silicone scar tape and silicone gel may help prevent and soften raised scars after surgery, burns or injuries. Start once the wound has closed, wear them every day, often 12 hours or more, and keep going for several months. They help little with sunken acne scars or old, flat scars. Protect healing scars from the sun.
How does silicone help scars?
When skin heals, it makes collagen, a protein that fills the wound. Sometimes it makes too much, which leads to a thick, raised scar.
Silicone sheets and gel form a thin, flexible layer over the scar. Experts think this keeps the top layer of skin well hydrated, which may calm the signals that drive extra collagen. Over time, the scar may become flatter, softer, paler and less itchy. Some tapes also add gentle pressure.
Silicones are also used widely in cosmetics; you can read more about them on our silicones page.
How good is the evidence?
Silicone is widely used and generally considered a first step for raised scars, but the research is not as strong as many people think.
- A Cochrane review, which pools the results of many trials, found weak evidence that silicone sheeting helps prevent abnormal scars in people at high risk. Studies on treating raised scars showed improvements in thickness and color, but the trials were of poor quality.
- A later Cochrane review found too little good evidence to judge silicone for keloids specifically.
- The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says silicone gel sheets can treat and prevent raised scars, especially after surgery, and appear to work better than silicone ointment.
So silicone is a reasonable, low-risk choice, but results vary, and it will not always give you a flat scar.
Which scars can silicone help?
| Type of scar | Can silicone help? | Other options a doctor may offer |
|---|---|---|
| New surgical or C-section scar | Often used to help it heal flatter | Sun protection, scar massage if advised |
| Raised (hypertrophic) scar | May help soften and flatten it | Steroid injections, lasers |
| Keloid (grows beyond the wound) | May help prevent regrowth; evidence is limited | Steroid injections, freezing, other treatments |
| Sunken acne scars | Little or no benefit | Microneedling, lasers, other procedures |
| Old, flat, pale scars | Little benefit | Lasers, makeup camouflage |
| Stretch marks | Not a proven use | See our stretch marks guide |
For indented acne scars and marks left after breakouts, silicone is not the right tool.
Sheets, tape or gel?
- Silicone sheets are reusable pads. They work well on flat areas such as the abdomen, chest and arms.
- Silicone scar tape is thinner and more flexible, and often easier to hide under clothes. Check that it is silicone-based, not just a plain bandage.
- Silicone gel dries into a thin film. It suits the face, joints and other places where sheets slip off. Let it dry before putting on clothes or makeup.
The AAD notes that gel sheets appear to work better than silicone ointment, but gel is a useful option where sheets will not stay on.
How to use silicone sheets and scar tape
- Wait until the wound has closed. Use silicone only on intact skin, with no open areas, oozing or stitches, unless your surgeon says otherwise.
- Clean and dry the skin before each application. Avoid creams or oils underneath, as they stop the sheet from sticking.
- Build up wear time. Some hospital leaflets suggest starting with a few hours and increasing gradually. NHS hospital guidance commonly advises 12 hours or more a day, with some suggesting up to 23 hours.
- Keep going for months. One NHS leaflet advises at least three months. For keloid-prone wounds, the AAD advises using silicone every day for about six months.
- Clean or replace the product as the instructions say, and keep it out of reach of young children.
- Protect the scar from the sun. Sun can make new scars darker. The AAD advises covering scars with clothing or using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher; see our guide to everyday sun protection.
Side effects and when to stop
Silicone is usually well tolerated. Possible problems include:
- redness, itching or a rash under the sheet,
- skin breakdown, especially in warm weather or skin folds, and
- sweat build-up under the sheet.
The AAD advises telling your dermatologist if you notice skin breakdown or a rash, as you may need a different treatment. Take a break and let the skin settle if it becomes irritated.
What to avoid on fresh scars
- Open or infected wounds: do not apply silicone.
- Strong actives such as retinoids or exfoliating acids on a fresh scar: wait until your doctor says the scar has healed enough.
- Tanning and sunburn: they can make a scar darker for a long time. Use body sunscreen on scars that clothing will not cover.
How long until you see results
Many people notice that the scar feels softer and less itchy within a few weeks. Changes in height and color usually take several months. Scars keep remodeling for a year or more, so be patient and take photos every few weeks to compare.
When to see a dermatologist
- A scar that keeps growing beyond the original wound, or is very itchy or painful.
- A personal or family history of keloids, especially before surgery or piercings.
- A scar that bleeds, opens up, changes or appears without an injury you remember. The AAD advises seeing a dermatologist right away in this case.
- No improvement after several months of silicone.
A dermatologist can offer treatments with stronger effects, such as steroid injections, which the AAD says can shrink a scar by half or more, usually over several sessions.
FAQ
Can I wear scar tape only at night?
Night-only wear is better than nothing, but most guidance favors longer daily wear, often 12 hours or more.
Do scar creams with onion extract work?
The evidence for them is weaker than for silicone. Silicone sheets or gel are usually the first choice.
Is silicone safe for children's scars?
Silicone is widely used on children's scars, including in children's hospitals. Follow your doctor's advice on when to start and how long to wear it.
When is it too late to use silicone?
It works best on newer scars, but some people still see softening on scars that are a year or two old. Old, flat scars rarely change.
Sources
- Scars: Diagnosis and treatment (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Keloid scars: Self-care (American Academy of Dermatology)
- Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars (Cochrane review, PubMed)
- How do I take care of my scars after surgery? (Great Ormond Street Hospital, NHS)
- Scar massage information (Cambridge University Hospitals, NHS)