Silicone rubber chosen for ‘smart’ scar-care pad

The “smart” scar-care pad which serves the dual functions of reinforcing pressure and occlusion has been designed by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to treat hypertrophic scars from burns, surgeries and trauma.

Compared with the traditional pressure pads and silicone gel sheets, the inventors of the pad claims it has the advantages of both.

It reportedly showed good performance in reducing pigmentation and vascularity, improving elasticity and preventing dehydration in a clinical trial. PolyU says that patient report it is more durable and user-friendly compared with the traditional pad (polyethylene foam). The design won the Grand Award and Gold Medal with the Congratulations of Jury at the 45th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, 2017.

Burns, surgeries and trauma will create open wounds to human skin. Delayed wound healing can result in formation of hypertrophic scar, which can cause aesthetic problems, and induce severe deformities, thus causing dysfunctions. Pressure therapy is the first line non-invasive treatment for hypertrophic scars. Pressure garment and pressure pads made with polyethylene foam are generally used by therapists. However, PolyU claims that they can be uncomfortable to wear and often not durable enough to sustain the pressure on the scar.

The smart scar-care pad designed by Professor Cecilia Li-Tsang in the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at PolyU was developed to combine the effect of pressure therapy and silicone gel on scar management. It is composed of a silicone stiffener and medical grade silicone gel sheet. The silicone stiffener is made of silicone rubber. Its smooth side is attached to the silicone gel sheet which serves to moisturise the scar. The other side of the silicone stiffener is characterised by the circular silicone studs which can be adjusted to shape the curved or flat skin surfaces to provide even pressure under elastic bandages or pressure garments.

The pad has been designed with different stud height, diameter and gel thicknesses. If applied to flat or concaved areas, such as the chest or abdomen, higher studs will be used to create a larger curvature. In addition, thicker gel sheets may be applied to thicker scars and thinner gel sheets may be applied to thinner scars.

Case studies with longer follow up times have reportedly showed that the pad “demonstrated its effect to improve hypertrophic scars as well as patients’ quality of life”.