Kelo-cote® is liquid silicone. Silicone helps scars heal better.
I do not have stock in this treatment, and I do not care about brand names. What I do care about is trying to use scientific comparisons to find the *best* ways to approach scars. I have other blogs about Kelo-cote®, and reference the studies supporting their efficacy. These studies were collated by the Kelo-cote® brand itself, but they are published studies in journals from Aesthetic Plastic Surgery to Dermatology journals, to the Burns journal.
In the Kelo-cote® literature, they have studies which support the following claims: (*to see the studies they site, please go to www.biocorneumplus.com)
- VERSUS SILICONE SHEETS
- Topical silicone gel was more effective in sheeting in improving scar symptoms, especially redness and hardness.
- It was better tolerated by patients
- It was better than sheeting at decreasing scar height and redness on day 90 and was easier to use.
- VERSUS TOPICAL STEROIDS
- Repeated use of topical steroids is not desirable for extended periods because it may harm more than help
- Side effects of topical steroids include delayed wound healing, atrophy of skin, telangiectasia (little red capillaries), depigmentation, and acne.
- VERSUS VITAMIN E
- Vitamin E does not improve the appearance of scars and is not well tolerated by patients.
- It does not minimize the severity of hypertrophic scar and does not promote resolution of existing scars like silicone gel or silicone sheeting do.
My thoughts?
As always, the less you see the scar the better. I think all patients should be doing some kind of scar care, and I include scar treatments in most of my surgery packages. There are many options on the market, and not all are studied. I like that Kelo-cote® has some very good studies (which include histologic biopsies) showing its efficacy.
Be wary of some things “which you read on the internet.” If you have a normal progressing scar and you use some treatments like Vitamin E or steroids, you can weaken a normal scar, causing it to indent or widen. I have had patients who used laser treatments to help the scar, only to see it cause elevation of the scar or pigment issues.
Your doctor can help guide you.
The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions regarding your health or medical condition.