From the Research
Silicone gel sheeting is a recommended alternative to triamcinolone injections for treating keloid scars, as it has shown promise in reducing scar severity and improving symptoms, although the current evidence is of very low certainty 1. The use of silicone gel sheeting for keloid scars has been studied in several trials, with varying results. A 2013 Cochrane review found that silicone gel sheeting reduced the incidence of hypertrophic scarring and improved scar thickness and color, but the evidence was of low quality 2. A 2010 study found that silicone gel sheeting was effective in treating keloid scars after median sternotomy, with improvements in scar area and symptoms 3. However, a 2023 Cochrane review found that the evidence for the effectiveness of silicone gel sheeting for keloid scars was of very low certainty, due to the small sample size and risk of bias in the included studies 1. Some of the key benefits of silicone gel sheeting include:
- Easy to use and apply
- Non-invasive and painless
- Can be used in combination with other treatments
- May reduce scar severity and improve symptoms However, it is essential to note that the current evidence is limited, and more high-quality studies are needed to fully understand the effectiveness of silicone gel sheeting for keloid scars. Other alternative treatments for keloid scars include:
- Pressure therapy using compression garments or earrings
- Cryotherapy with liquid nitrogen
- Laser therapy, particularly pulsed-dye laser treatments
- Intralesional 5-fluorouracil injections, sometimes combined with low-dose corticosteroids
- Surgical excision followed by immediate radiation therapy, although this is usually reserved for cases where other treatments have failed due to potential side effects.