Improscar Stick® 50 is the world’s first water resistant silicone-based stick for scar treatment with SPF 50, making scars less visible. The product gives an optimal environment for scar maturation while also protecting the scar from the elements such as UV-radiation, rain, sweat etc.
Improscar Stick® is a water resistant silicone-based stick for scar treatment, making scars less visible.
Improscar Patch™
The product gives an optimal environment for scar maturation while also protecting the scar from scratching/irritation from clothes etc.
Improscar Patch™ are water resistant silicone sheets for treatment of scars. Each Improscar Patch will remain on the scar for an average of one week and can be worn in the shower.
The product is designed as extremely thin, < 0.5 mm, patches of various shapes that remain on the scar for an average of one week and can be worn in the shower. The patch should cover the whole scar and approximately 1 cm of skin around the scar. Improscar™ for scar treatment is available in the form of sticks (Improscar Stick®) and patches (Improscar Patch) and the scar should be treated for at least 3 months and continue for as long as the scar responds to the treatment.
Improscar patch is a medical device with CE mark for sales in Europe and registered at FDA for sales in USA.
Improscar patch for:
- Caesarean
- Skin Lesions
- Breast Augmentation
- Breast Reduction
- Abdominoplasty
- Brachioplasty
- Rectangle
- Circle Ø80 mm
Improscar Patch – contains the size of patches usually needed to treat the scars that occurs after a caesarean (C-section).
“Improscar Patch – Caesarean” contains the following:
4 WEEKS:
4x Improscar Wipe™ (Alcohol based cleaning wipe)
4x Improscar Patch 200×30 mm
1x Patient information leaflet
12 WEEKS:
12x Improscar Wipe (Alcohol based cleaning wipe)
12x Improscar Patch 200×30 mm
1x Patient information leaflet
Fallen off the bike? Cesarean? Burn from the oven door?
Scarring is a natural part of the healing process after an injury caused by e.g. surgery, accident or an infection. We all have some scars as reminders of different life events. Some scars won’t bother while others can have an ugly appearance and also itch and feel tight. What many people do not know is that it is possible to affect the appearance of the scar and make it less visible by taking care of it properly during healing. If you are going to undergo a planned surgery that will result in a scar, it is important to plan ahead how you want to take care of your scar and discuss this with your doctor.
When it comes to scars from accidents, it is important to be prepared with the right products at home. All parents should have at least one scar treatment product in the medicine cabinet. An accident happens so easily, and it means a lot and if one can prevent the child from having an ugly scar which will remind him/her of the accident.
How do scars form?
Scars are formed by the body producing fibrous tissue, e.g. collagen, to repair the damaged area. The new tissue differs from the original skin and is more sensitive to UV-radiation. Sweat glands and hair follicles are missing, which also makes the scar less resistant and more sensitive to temperature changes. Scar maturation takes at least a year and the scar changes from being red and perhaps itchy and hard to a softer, lighter scar.
How do we treat scars?
A scar after an injury can never be completely removed but one can make the scar less visible through the right aftercare. The first step after an injury is to make sure that the wound is cleaned and make sure that it stays clean until it has closed. It is very important to minimize the risk of inflammation and infection as it can otherwise exacerbate the look of the scar. Appropriate dressings can be used to accelerate the healing process and protect the wound.
General preventive scar treatment includes sun protection, softening and moisture retention. Medical silicone is considered first-line treatment for all types of scars and can be used directly when the wound is healed and new skin is formed. Since the scar needs a long time to become completely “mature” it is important to protect it from sun exposure (UV-radiation) through clothing and / or sun protection products. Otherwise there is a risk that the scar becomes discolored. It may become darker or lighter than adjacent skin because the amount of melanin in the scar differs from “normal” skin. The scar should also be kept soft and moisturized in order to reduce the fluid loss that otherwise occurs through the scar tissue. By using products containing silicone this loss of fluid can be prevented.
In the case of major wounds, such as a larger burn, there are studies that indicate that pressure dressings can be beneficial on scar maturation. This type of dressing is often used in combination with a silicone layer to maintain skin moisture balance.
Other types of scar treatments can include laser, dermabrasion and freezing. In these treatments, medical silicone can serve as a complement to ensure optimal end results.
Recommendations on scar treatment
European guidelines on scar treatment, 2014 (1)
Linear scars caused by surgery or accidents.
Sunscreen combined with silicone treatment
Widespread hypertrophic scars caused by burn, accident or infection
Avoid sun exposure (use sunscreen)
Silicone + compression
Softening, physiotherapy can help
Keloids
Avoid sun exposure (use sunscreen)
Silicone + compression
Softening
For all scars, the effect of current treatment should be evaluated after 2 – 3 months.
For linear “normal” scars, the silicone treatment can continue as long as the scar responds to the treatment. Scars may need a year or more before it is completely inactive.
A hypertrophic scar or a keloid that does not respond to silicone treatment alone may need further treatments in combination with silicone, for example corticosteroid injections. This is decided by a doctor.
Silicones for scar treatment
Medical silicones have been used since the 1980s and have a well-documented effect and safety on scar treatment (2) (3) (4) (5) (6). The silicone smoothes, softens and reduces the visibility of scars. The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but the current theory is that when silicone is applied to the skin, a water-resistant membrane is formed which protects the scar and restores the water balance. The silicone membrane permeates oxygen, which allows the skin to breathe and this is a contributing factor to keeping the scar moisturized. Silicone is a very large molecule that cannot penetrate the skin and be absorbed by the body.
Medical silicone products are available in several designs, where silicone gels, silicone sticks and silicone sheets are the most common. In a comparative study between silicone sheet and silicone gel, the different treatments proved to be equally effective (7). The stick is a further development to simplify the application of the silicone. One can choose product depending on where on the body the scar is and how big it is. For smooth body surfaces, that are covered with clothing, silicone sheets may be suitable. The sheet also provides protection against possible rubbing from clothes on the scar. The disadvantage of silicon sheets is that they can have a bad adhesion and feel unhygienic. Silicone gel or silicone stick is suitable for more visible body surfaces (e.g. face and hands) or moving parts of the body where a sheet can easily come off. When the silicone has dried on the skin, one can cover it with clothes, make up etc.
To obtain the desired effect, the scar should be covered with silicone for as much of the day as possible. If the scar is exposed to sun, it is important to choose a silicone product that also contains sunscreen, preferably with SPF 50.
The side effects that patients have experienced during silicone treatment are linked to sheets as these can create heat rash and smelly skin (8). Some variants of sheets must be taped to be held in place. This further increases the risk of irritation to the skin. It is very rare for side effects to be reported with silicone gels or silicone sticks.
References:
1. Management of scars: updated practical guidelines and use of silicones. Meaume S, Le Pillouer-Prost A, Richert B, Roseeuw D, Vadoud J. s.l. : Eur J Dermatol, 2014, Vols. Jul-Aug;24(4):435-43.
2. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, prospective clinical trial of silicone gel in prevention of hypertrophic scar development in median sternotomy wound. Chan KY, Lau CL, Adeeb SM, Somasundaram S, Nasir-Zahari M. : Plast Reconstr Surg, 2005, Vol. Sep 15;116(4):1013-20.
3. A randomized controlled trial of hydrocolloid dressing in the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Phillips TJ, Gerstein AD, Lordan V. : Dermatol Surg, 1996, Vol. Sep;22(9):775-8.
4. Prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids by the prophylactic use of topical silicone gel sheets following a surgical procedure in an office setting. Gold MH, Foster TD, Adair MA, Burlison K, Lewis T. : Dermatol Surg, 2001, Vol. Jul;27(7):641-4.
5. Topical Silicone Sheet Application in the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids. Westra I, Pham H, Niessen FB. : J Clin Aesthet Dermatol, 2016, Vol. Oct;9(10):28-35.
6. Comparison of efficacy of silicone gel, silicone gel sheeting, and topical onion extract including heparin and allantoin for the treatment of postburn hypertrophic scars. Karagoz H, Yuksel F, Ulkur E, Evinc R. : Burns, 2009, Vol. Dec;35(8):1097-103.
7. Does the form of dressings matter?: A comparison of the efficacy in the management of postoperative scars between silicone sheets and silicone gel: a randomized controlled trial. Lin YS, Ting PS, Hsu KC. : Medicine (Baltimore), 2018, Vol. Aug;97(32).
8. Prevention of postsurgical scars: comparsion of efficacy and convenience between silicone gel sheet and topical silicone gel. Kim SM, Choi JS, Lee JH, Kim YJ, Jun YJ. : J Korean Med Sci, 2014, Vol. Nov;29 Suppl 3:S249-53.