What should you know about silicone gel sheets for breast scars?

A silicone sheet is a flexible dressing placed over a closed scar. It creates a protective layer that can help the scar retain moisture and reduce rubbing from clothing. With regular use, some scars become less raised, softer, and less noticeable. Improvement is gradual, and the result depends on the scar's age, thickness, colour, location, and how your skin reacts.

Do not place a sheet over an open wound, a draining area, scabbed skin, or a site with signs of infection. Breast surgery scars may sit in skin folds or near an adhesive-sensitive area, so fit and skin tolerance matter.

Use the sheet only after the incision has fully closed and your surgical team has allowed scar care. Wash and dry the skin before application, then trim the sheet so it covers the scar without extending widely onto healthy skin. Begin with a shorter wearing period if your skin is sensitive, and increase use according to the product directions and your clinician's advice.

Remove the sheet gently, clean both the skin and sheet as directed, and allow the skin to dry before replacing it. Check the area each time for redness, itching, rash, moisture buildup, or tenderness. Keep the sheet clean and stop using it if irritation continues.

Contact your surgeon or clinician if the scar becomes increasingly red, hot, swollen, painful, or starts draining. Seek prompt medical advice for wound separation, fever, rapidly spreading redness, or a new breast change that concerns you. For a persistent raised or tightening scar, a clinician can check whether the appearance fits a hypertrophic scar, keloid, irritation, or another issue and discuss options such as scar revision surgery.

Ask when your incision is ready for silicone, how long to wear the sheet each day, and whether its adhesive is suitable for your skin. You can also ask what to do if the sheet causes a rash, whether it is safe near your breast fold or nipple area, and when a persistent or uncomfortable scar should be assessed.