Vitality News Health Articles

The application of physical pressure by compressive methods is recommended in the therapy for keloid scars. Pressure can hypothetically break up collagen bundles and dissolve the keloid mass; however, treatment should be instituted for long periods (>23 h/d for 6 mo) before substantial improvements can be achieved. Sadly, many regions of the head and neck are not susceptible to pressure treatment. Silicone sheeting is used to decrease the irritation and pruritus linked with keloids (commonly misspelled as kiloids). The proposed course of action includes the maintenance of scar hydration and inducement of a subsequent decrease in cytokine release, resulting in less collagen deposition. Certain researchers report great success in keloid minimization with this modality. Sadly enough, the general opinion on silicone sheeting doesn’t support significant minimization in the dimensions or pigment characteristics of keloids, although silicone sheeting can be highly efficient in decreasing pruritus.

Various therapies, including tetroquinone, zinc, vitamin E, antihistamines, vitamin A, retinoic acids, nitrogen mustard, and verapamil, have been used with varying degrees of success.

An article written by a group of scientists from Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche Universita degli Studi di L’Aquila [Silicone occlusive sheeting vs silicone cushion for the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars. A prospective-randomized study] states the following:

BACKGROUND: Silicone gel and silicone compressive sheeting are widely used at present for the treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars. In recent studies the instance was raised that static electricity produced by friction stimulated silicone sheeting could be the reason for this benefit, and that in time it could cause regression of hypertrophic and keloid scars.

The objective of this research was to test this hypothesis and to observe weather a continuous and increased negatively charged static electric field would reduce the treatment period. A silicone cushion was created with the purpose of elevating a negative static-electric charge to abbreviate the regression process.

METHODS: From November 2001 to June 2002 we followed in a prospective randomized study, 72 patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars. The observation extended over an 8-month period. A group of 37 patients used silicone occlusive sheeting, the remaining 35 patients used silicone cushion (Clinicel).

RESULTS: Treatment with the silicone cushions yielded 74.2% cessation of itching and burning followed by pallor and flattening of the scar, some noticeably so. This was registered anywhere from a couple of weeks to a five month time period. Additional 25.7% had their scars resolved in up to 8 months of treatment. Four patients (11.4%) who had recalcitrant scars with little reaction to the use of the silicone cushion were treated with intralesional corticosteroid injections, along with the use of the cushion, resulting in a fairly rayed resolution of these scars during a period of two months. Treatment with the silicone occlusive sheeting yielded 52.3% itching and burning cessation followed by pallor and flattening of the scar, some noticeably so, over a few weeks to five months period. Additional 22.1% had their scars resolved in up to 8 months of treatment.

By comparing the results of this trial using silicone cushions for the treatment of hypertrophic and keloid scars with those observed with silicone gel or occlusive sheeting, a much faster response was demonstrated. This effect may be intensified when the treatment is followed with a natural skin care treatment that aids cellular regeneration.

Hypertrophic and keloid scars can now be minimized thanks to a skin care solution elaborated with biological ingredients that guarantee the recovery of your old healthy skin.

- Angelique Jodein