Silicone Sheets for Hypertrophic Scars: What to Know

A hypertrophic scar is raised and thick but stays within the original wound boundary. It can feel firm, itchy, tight, or tender while it matures. Silicone provides a thin covering that reduces rubbing and helps maintain a protected, hydrated surface. Changes are gradual, and the sheet is a supportive option rather than a way to erase the scar.

A scar that keeps extending beyond the wound edge may be a keloid instead, so diagnosis matters. Location, depth of injury, skin tension, and healing problems can all affect the scar’s appearance.

Apply the sheet only after the incision or injury has closed and any scab or drainage has resolved. Wash and dry the skin, place the sheet without trapping folds, and follow the product’s instructions for wear, cleaning, and replacement. Inspect the area during breaks, particularly where sweat or movement can cause rubbing.

Remove it if the skin becomes raw, itchy, blistered, or increasingly red. A clinician can consider [Steroid Injection Into The Skin](/treatments/injectables/intralesional-steroid-injection/) for a thicker or symptomatic scar, or [Fractional Laser Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/fractional-laser-treatment/) for selected texture concerns.

Contact the treating clinician if the scar opens, becomes warm or increasingly painful, develops pus, or is surrounded by spreading redness. Seek assessment if it restricts a joint, interferes with movement, or changes in a way that does not fit normal healing. A raised scar outside the original wound should also be examined.

For persistent thickness, a specialist may discuss [Scar Revision Surgery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/scar-revision-surgery/) or [Surgical Excision](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/excisional-surgery/). The choice depends on the scar and may include aftercare to reduce the chance of another raised scar.

Ask when your wound is ready for silicone, how long each wear period should be, how to manage sweating, and whether the scar is hypertrophic or extending beyond the wound. Ask which changes should prompt a review and whether another treatment would better address tightness or texture.