The impact of silicone spray on scar formation. A single-center placebo-controlled double-blind trial

• Published in: Hautarzt Vol. 61; no. 4; p. 332
• Main Authors: Stoffels, I, Wolter, T P, Sailer, A M, Pallua, N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01-04-2010
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cicatrix - drug therapy; Cicatrix - pathology; Cicatrix - prevention & control; Double-Blind Method; Female; Gases - administration & dosage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Placebo Effect; Silicones - administration & dosage; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1432-1173
• DOI: 10.1007/s00105-009-1886-y

For more than two decades silicone has successfully been employed in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids as a painless noninvasive modality with few side effects. In the present trial, after 3 months of treatment the Patient Scar Assessment Scale demonstrated that patient satisfaction with the silicone application was significantly higher compared to placebo. When treatment was stopped after 3 months, the topical silicone spray did not exhibit any lasting long-term impact on the objective results of scar formation. Due to the significant differences in patient satisfaction once treatment has ended and since the administration is safe and simple, any final decision on treatment indication should be tailored to the patient and include the psychological well-being of the patient as well as the temporary improvement in scar formation during treatment.