Surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, acne — there are many reasons you may have a scar on your body. Sometimes, it can be hard to get scars to fade. If you have a scar you don't like the look of, there are easy ways to help make it better. Silicone scar tape is a good option to try.
What Is Silicone Scar Tape?
Silicone scar tape is an over-the-counter treatment for scars. It's an adhesive sheet with silicone gel on it that you stick over a scar. It helps your scar heal and become less visible over time.
You may find silicone scar tape under different names, such as silicone sheets, strips, or patches.
You can use silicone tape on scars after surgery. It also works on burn scars, acne scars, and many other common kinds of scars, such as hypertrophic scars and keloids.
How Does Silicone Tape Help Scars?
Silicone tape can help reduce redness and help fade scars, making them smaller and softer. It may also ease the itchiness you feel while your scar heals. Here's how it works:
Hydration. Silicone keeps moisture locked in while your scars heal. The outer layer of skin is where your skin maintains moisture. When skin breaks because of a wound, it needs extra moisture to heal. Silicone scar tape can help prevent your scar from drying out or cracking.
Sun protection. Silicone scar tape creates a physical barrier between your scar and the outside world, just like a bandage. This protects your scar from sun damage. Sun exposure can make scars look darker.
Pressure. Silicone scar tape adds physical pressure to your scars. Pressure can help keep scars from forming or shrink them.
Temperature. Silicone scar tape increases your skin temperature a little bit around the scar. This can help limit scarring.
Benefits of Using Silicone Scar Tape
It's common to feel embarrassed or self-conscious if you have visible scars on your body. Silicone scar tape can help improve the look of your scars.
Scar tape is easy to use and accessible. You can buy it at your local pharmacy or have it shipped to you if you order it online. It's also affordable.
Plus, you don't need to worry about an invasive procedure if you use silicone scar tape. Other scar treatments may require more doctor visits or be painful.
If your scar is related to a recent procedure or accident, Allison Rojas, nurse practitioner (NP) with New York University Langone Health, says using scar tape can also remind you not to touch or move the area around your scar too much if it's still sensitive.
"Just be gentle with that area," Rojas says. "You're still healing."
If silicone scar tape doesn't fade your scars as much as you want, you can talk to your doctor about other treatment options.
"Patients like it for convenience and noninvasive nature," Rojas says. "But of course, you know, there are always other things that can be done."
How to Use Silicone Scar Tape Correctly
It's easy to use silicone scar tape. First, clean the area around your scar and dry it off. Then, peel off a piece of tape big enough to fit over your scar. Place the sticky side over your scar.
Can you sleep with silicone scar tape?
Yes, you can sleep with the tape over your scars. Just make sure your sleep cycle doesn't go over the number of hours you're supposed to keep tape on in a day. Keeping scar tape on while you sleep can help the scar heal all through the night. You'll barely notice it while you snooze.
How many times can you reuse silicone scar tape?
Silicone scar tape can be reused. One piece can last for up to six to eight weeks with proper care.
To keep the tape clean between uses, wash it gently with mild soap and water. Then, let the piece of tape air dry.
Even if the scar tape doesn't feel sticky anymore, the silicone in the tape still likely works. You can wash and dry your tape to make it sticky again.
When Is the Right Time to Use Silicone Tape for Scars?
There's no time limit for treating scars with silicone tape. You can try it out after years with a scar or soon after a surgery or injury.
"It doesn't matter when you got the scar," Rojas says. "You could start five years later, if you wanted to."
For a new scar, wait until the skin around the wound has closed. Make sure any staples or stitches are out.
How long should you leave silicone tape on scars?
Ask your doctor how long you should keep the scar tape on each day. Many doctors recommend leaving it on for a full 24 hours, but you might be able to start at 12 hours a day and work your way up.
You should use the tape regularly for 3-12 months for best results.
"It's not an overnight magic treatment," Rojas says. "It really does take a lot of commitment on the patient's part and kind of just sticking with it and making sure you're using it every single day."
Who Should Not Use Silicone Scar Tape?
Don't use silicone tape on an open wound or one that's just starting to heal. The scarred skin should be fully healed before putting scar tape on it.
"Make sure that there's no signs of an open wound, and then you're free to do what you'd like," Rojas says.
If the skin around a scar begins to feel more and more painful, hot, or releases more discharge, take off the scar tape and talk to your doctor before using it again.
If you try using silicone tape but still don't see results, talk to your doctor. There may be other scar treatments that can help you get better results.
Do Silicone Tapes Work on Wrinkles?
Silicone tape can work on wrinkles. Often called silicone "wrinkle patches," this treatment may temporarily smooth wrinkles. That's because it adds moisture to the skin and limits your facial movements while you sleep.
However, the effects on wrinkles usually only last a few hours after you remove the patches.
Rojas says if you want to smooth wrinkles, silicone scar tape is an option. But there are other treatments you should probably try first.
"You're hydrating the skin, you're kind of providing a nice barrier and protection to it," Rojas says. "That being said, with wrinkles, we have things that work a lot better, so it wouldn't be my first go-to. But you could certainly do it."
Do Silicone Tapes Work on Stretch Marks?
Silicone tape sometimes works on stretch marks. It depends on how soon you use the scar tape after stretch marks appear.
If you try silicone scar tape when you first notice new stretch marks, the tape may help fade the marks and keep them from worsening over time. Silicone tape doesn't usually work well on old stretch marks.
Are There Any Side Effects of Using Silicone Scar Tape?
Mostly, silicone scar tapes are safe to use, and most people don't have major side effects.
Make sure the area around your scar stays dry and clean while you wear scar tape. Dirt or moisture around your scar may cause skin irritation or a rash.
If you notice a worsening skin reaction around your scar while using silicone tape, stop using it and wash around the skin with cold water. Talk to your doctor before using the tape again.
Rojas says even if your skin reacts after wearing scar tape, it may not be from the silicone. Some over-the-counter scar tapes include other ingredients you could be sensitive to.
To avoid skin reactions, Rojas recommends choosing tapes with the highest levels of silicone. Try to find options that have a small number of other ingredients listed.
Are Silicone Tapes Better Than Other Scar Treatments?
Silicone tapes aren't necessarily better than other scar treatments. But they're a good first option because they're easy to use, affordable, and noninvasive. Many people find silicone tapes to be effective in reducing scar visibility.
Silicone scar gel
Another easy option is silicone scar gel. The gel works similarly to scar tape, except you rub it directly over your scars instead of taping on an adhesive with gel inside.
To use the gel, squeeze out enough to rub in a thin layer over your scar. Make sure you clean and dry the area around your scar before rubbing the gel over it. Let the gel dry over your skin for a few minutes. It should last six to eight hours before you need to put a new layer of gel on again.
The gel version works well if your scar is on a part of your body that's visible to others, like your face. You can rub gel over your visible scars to help them heal during the day.
If you use silicone gel, you'll probably need to reapply it after several hours. You also need to wear sunscreen and avoid direct sun, as sunlight can cause darkening around your scar.
If you use silicone gel during the day, switch to silicone tape while you sleep at night to get the added benefits of the tape's physical protection and pressure on your scar.
If silicone tape or gel doesn't work on your scars, there are other options.
Laser scar treatment
Laser scar treatment can help reduce scar redness and discoloration, especially in older scars. It can also help even out skin tone around acne scars and make stretch marks less visible.
You'll need to talk to your doctor first and make an appointment for the procedure. Make sure your health insurance will cover the treatment.
You need to be careful about sun exposure before and after the laser treatment to prevent burns, discoloration, or more scarring. You may also need to change other lifestyle habits, like temporarily quitting smoking, beforehand.
You may need multiple laser treatments to improve your scar, and you might not see results until months later.
Steroid Injections
Steroid injections can also help your scars fade. The doctor injects a steroid solution directly into a healed scar. It can help shrink your scar. It may also reduce swelling, itchiness, redness, and sensitivity around the scar.
A steroid injection is a quick procedure, and you usually don't need anesthesia.
You'll probably need to get multiple steroid injections. You may get a new injection every four to six weeks, up to a maximum of five injections.
If you have a history of scarring and need to get surgery, doctors may inject the surgical area with a steroid beforehand or during the surgery. This may help prevent scarring or shrink your postsurgery scar.
Low-dose radiation
A specialized X-ray treatment may improve unusually large keloid scars or those that don't respond to steroids or silicone. You could also get this treatment after a keloid scar is surgically removed, to keep it from growing back.
The treatment is painless and usually takes less than 10 minutes. You may have skin sensitivity and redness around the scar area afterward.
After your first treatment, follow up with your doctor. They'll decide whether you need more than one session.
Sanding and scraping
Doctors can remove some scars through dermabrasion, similar to "sanding and scraping" a scar away. This technique works best on burn scars, acne scars, and very large scars.
Beforehand, you'll get an injection of anesthesia around the scar. Then, the doctor uses a special tool to soften and remove scar tissue. It won't fully remove the scar but will help the scar blend in with the rest of your skin.
Afterward, you may notice bleeding. The area usually takes up to two weeks to heal. You'll probably see full results two months later.
Silicone Scar Tape FAQs
Does silicone scar tape work on old scars?
Yes. It doesn't matter how old your scar is to use silicone scar tape or gel. This treatment can help fade scars that are already years old. Older scars may improve at a slower pace but can still become softer and flatter over time. Your doctor may also recommend laser treatment for stubborn older scars.
Does silicone scar tape work on acne scars?
Yes, silicone scar tape or gel can work on acne scars. It can work well for the pitted scarring that may result from acne. However, other acne scar treatment options, from basic home skin care routines to chemical peels, may be better fits. Acne scar treatment depends on several factors, including your skin type, the type of scars you have, and their severity.
Can you shower with silicone scar tape?
You may be able to shower with silicone scar tape if you need to, but check your product's instructions. Scar tape is usually designed to be waterproof.
Rojas says it's best not to shower with silicone scar tape regularly. The tape itself locks in needed moisture for your scars. But it's possible that extra water could get between the tape and your scars while you're in the shower.
Instead, Rojas recommends removing the scar tape before you get in the shower if you can. After your shower, carefully dry around your scar with a clean towel. You can then put on a fresh piece of silicone scar tape or clean and reuse the piece you had on before.
