Silicone is the most evidence-backed home-care option for scars, whether you’re dealing with a keloid, a hypertrophic scar, or simply helping a surgical or C-section scar heal as well as possible. But it comes in two main forms — gel and sheeting — and picking the right one for your scar makes it a lot easier to actually stick with the routine, which is what matters most.
How Each One Works
Silicone gel is applied as a thin layer that dries down into a flexible, nearly invisible film on the skin. Silicone sheets are soft, flexible strips placed directly over the scar and left in place for extended periods — often many hours a day.
Both work the same way: by keeping the scar hydrated and lightly occluded, they’re believed to help regulate collagen production and support a flatter, softer, less noticeable scar over time. Neither erases a scar outright — the benefit comes from regular, sustained use over weeks and months.
Gel vs Sheets: Which Suits Your Scar?
- Choose gel for visible areas like the face, for curved or moving areas such as the jawline, chest, or joints, or whenever you want something discreet you can wear under makeup or during the day. It’s quick to apply but needs time to dry before you dress or apply makeup, and tends to need reapplying more often since it can rub off.
- Choose sheets for flatter scars on stable areas of the body — the abdomen, arms, or legs — such as a new surgical or C-section scar that’s easy to keep covered. Sheets need less frequent application once in place, and good-quality ones can be reused for a while, but they can lift on curved or high-friction areas and may feel warm or be visible under tight clothing.
The Real Deciding Factor: Consistency
Neither format is clearly “better” in the research — what matters most is which one you’ll actually use every day for the weeks or months it takes to see a difference. If gel feels like a hassle to reapply, you’ll likely do better with a sheet. If a sheet feels uncomfortable or keeps lifting, gel will probably fit your routine more easily. Some people even use both — gel during the day under clothing, and a sheet overnight.
Shop Both Options
Our Rejuvasil Silicone Scar Gel is a straightforward daily option for visible or awkwardly-shaped scars, while our Scar Fx Silicone Sheeting range comes in a variety of shapes and sizes for flatter scars on the torso and limbs, including dedicated shapes for C-section scars and breast surgery.
For more on how silicone fits into treatment for a specific scar type, see our guides to keloid scars, hypertrophic scars, C-section scar care, and surgical scar care.
This article is for general information only and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice. Silicone should only be used on fully closed, healed skin — never on an open wound.
