How does silicone work to reduce scars?

Scars might be fascinating to some people because they represent a story; to others, they are just unsightly marks that ruin our flawless skin. They tell us that we’ve lived and experienced life in the most raw way possible. And while some see them as battle scars and wear them proudly, others would do anything to erase them completely.

Fortunately for the latter group of people, medical science has provided solutions like silicone gel sheets or scar creams which help reduce or even eliminate scars entirely. While many of us may have heard about silicone, not everyone knows how it works or why it’s so effective against scars.

1. The Wonders of Silicone

Silicone is derived from silicon- a mineral found in rocks and sand. But don’t let its humble origins fool you! Once processed chemically into an elastomer polymer called “polydimethylsiloxane” (PDMS), what emerges is a versatile product that can be used in all sorts of industries.

From cars, smartphones and kitchen utensils to personal care products such as makeup primers- silicone is one organic compound with diverse properties! One property stands out more than any other when it comes to reducing scarring; its ability to form an occlusive barrier over wounds effectively trapping moisture inside the body for optimal healing conditions!

2.The Physiology Behind Scar Formation

Before getting into how silicone works on skin tissue,it’s essential first understand how human physique reacts after sustaining injuries.Since time immemorial ,our bodies have this incredible natural robot-like mechanism: whenever there’s any cut/wound/burn/scratch, new skin tissues rapidly sprout up trying fix/heal the damaged area as soon as possible.Well done internal robots!

However,sometimes during this repair process,the normal formation/production pattern gets disturbed resulting in abnormal clusters/fibrous scarring known clinically-s keloid/hypertrophic scarring

3.What Causes Scarring?

There are many reasons individuals scar differently.For instance,

  • Genetic predisposition
  • Skin Color(i.e dark skin is more susceptible to hyperpigmentation))
  • Certain medications
  • Age,
  • Gender,
    among others.

Individuals who undergo cosmetic surgery may experience hypertrophic or keloid scars as well. Surgical incisions heal in two stages; primary healing and secondary healing.Primary healing i.e surgical incisions made with a scalpel heals up without granulation tissue (i.e smooth borders) while second intention wounds i, develop after trauma/burn/a non sutured laceration/ulceration where breached tissues couldn’t be easily joined, can create irregular edges/fibrosis/granulation tissue growth. This irregular edge/fibrous nature of the scar tissue makes it difficult for damaged areas to blend in with surrounding skin leading to unwelcome results.

However,some level of control though not total has been achieved on this phenomenon thanks to silicones unique characteristics.

4.What Makes Silicone So Effective Against Scars?

Silicone gel sheets work great when it comes reducing scarring due to several important factors:

A) Non-Invasive

Unlike certain treatments that require multiple visits by the patient,multiple sessions each weeks -silicone is one-and-done solution! Simply apply silicone gel sheet or cream directly over your cut/wound/burn area,and voilà: instant relief!

B) Forms an Occlusive Barrier Over Wounds

One problem faced during wound-healing process is keeping moisture levels optimal.This aspect among countless others has positive effect on proliferating cells,hastening recovery time.However if something were come between our wounded site and ambient humidity/oxygen levels,i,e further dehydration,this would ultimately slow down normal repair process! Enter Silicone which acts as entrapment barrier trapping water from body within the affected region thus maintaining moist environment leading to faster healing!

5. How Silicone Interacts With The Skin Tissue

When you apply silicone gel sheet or cream on your skin, it creates a physical barrier that protects against the bad stuff like bacteria and viruses while simultaneously promoting ideal conditions for healthy new tissue growth.

Silicone is great at providing oxygen-free environments that are moisture-rich so that wound-healing can be expedited – as we mentioned in our previous point.

What’s more? It controls excess collagen production which leads to hypertrophic scarring!Additionally,it relaxes fibroblasts which in turn reduces inflammation.The net result being lessened scars + immediate soothing of wounded area!
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A) Hydration Control/Maintenance Awesomeness

Asides serving as an entrapment mechanism, one thing silicone does very well is maintain appropriate hydration levels required during wound recovery process by the skin tissues.It works due its molecular nature also depends on tiny molecule irregularities that allow water molecules to adhere/stick firmly thus maintaining deeper penetration into the affected regions. And nothing makes our little cellular friends happier than some wholesome H2O!

B) Even Pressure Distribution Over Wound Area Translates To Great Results

Have you ever noticed how pressure dressings get recommended when trying minimize/reduce scar appearance? Well fun fact: silicone gel sheets do pretty much same thing too except they’re stickier(now there’s adorable idea)! When applied over a scar,certain areas will receive increased applied stress while others unknowingly would not as opposed using ordinary bandages.For best possible results,silicones use of even distribution applies uniform force hence no hyper/hypotrophistic scares around center spot-we love consistency!!!

Conclusion

To sum up,human epidermis has had a huge requirement for products designed solely reducing/minimizing scars-a need doctors/scientists have been tirelessly working towards.Solutions abound, one of which is Silicone, a hydrophobic yet breathable organic compound that serves as an ideal barrier between external stressors and internal wound environment.

Silicones best attribute however remains ability to strike balance between healthy moisture levels around our affected regions leveraging its natural water-attraction properties.

No two scars are same hence no single approach can work for all individuals but thanks to the uniqueness of each silicone application,and how easily it conforms to any individual skin tissue,more patients are benefiting from reduced scarring.Silicone has come leaps/bounds since first experimentation with Platops Insalls in 1982 by Unna.Though methods may change,solution silicon reigns supreme!

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