Scar cream cannot erase an old scar. On fully closed skin, consistent silicone care may modestly improve the flexibility, colour, thickness or itch of some raised or red scars. Results vary by scar type and tend to be gradual. Start by choosing between transparent silicone gel, a silicone sheet and hydrating aftercare, then compare format, ease of use and current price.
What can scar cream realistically achieve?
A scar is the result of normal wound healing and can keep changing long after the skin closes. The NHS guide to scars says many scars fade naturally over two years or longer. No cream removes scar tissue. A realistic aim is a scar that may become softer, flatter or more comfortable.
“Old” is not a precise medical category. A scar that is several months old may still be maturing; one that has been stable for years is usually less responsive. Depressed acne scars are different from a hypertrophic scar, which is raised but stays within the original injury. A keloid grows beyond that boundary and often needs medical assessment.
An international panel that included Belgian specialists lists silicone among the first-line, non-invasive options for selected hypertrophic and keloid scars in its practical scar-management guidelines. Evidence is not perfect, however. A Cochrane review of silicone gel sheeting found weak, uncertain evidence because the studies were low quality. That uncertainty matters when evaluating claims that a product will “remove” a scar.
Silicone gel, sheet or hydrating aftercare?
Transparent gel for visible or moving areas
A topical silicone gel dries into a thin film and can be convenient on the face, around joints or beneath clothing. Dermatix Silicone Gel 15 ml is the smallest format in this comparison. Its observed price ranged from €20.09 to €45.25 at two retailers—a €25.16 difference that makes checking the seller especially worthwhile.
Gel is not automatically stronger than a sheet. Its main advantage may be that it is easier to use consistently on an awkward area. Apply it only to fully closed, clean and dry skin, following the label. A thick layer does not mean a better result.
A silicone sheet for a flat, accessible area
A sheet keeps the scar covered for extended periods and may suit the torso, arm or leg. Hansaplast Scar Reducer was listed at €27.49 to €30.50 by two retailers. Check the dimensions, whether the sheet can be cut, how often it can be reused and the advised wear time. These details determine the real daily cost more accurately than the box price alone.
Occlusion or adhesive can irritate skin, particularly in hot weather. Build wear time gradually when the instructions recommend it and stop if persistent redness develops. Never place silicone over an open, weeping or infected wound.
Hydrating wound aftercare is a different category
Alhydran Wound Aftercare Gel 100 ml is a larger hydrating aftercare product, priced from €41.30 to €49.95. Its volume and intended role differ substantially from a 15 ml silicone tube or a sheet. The headline prices should not be treated as like-for-like.
Hydration and massage may help a fully healed scar feel comfortable and flexible. This does not establish that a general hydrating gel works like medical silicone for a raised scar. Ask a pharmacist, GP or dermatologist which category is suitable for the stage of healing.
How should you choose for an older scar?
Begin with the scar's shape and condition. If it is flat and mainly discoloured, daily sun protection may matter more than an expensive scar product. If it is red, firm, raised or itchy but completely closed, silicone may be worth discussing. If it is depressed, grows beyond the original wound, restricts movement or causes pain, seek professional assessment.
Next, choose a routine you can maintain. Gel is discreet and works on curved areas. A sheet offers prolonged coverage but needs cleaning and good skin tolerance. Hydrating gel is mainly about aftercare and comfort. Compare application frequency, recommended treatment length and the surface area you need to cover. A cheaper small tube can cost more over time on a long scar.
Protect scars from sunlight with clothing or at least SPF 30, as the NHS advises. UV exposure can make colour contrast more noticeable. Apply sunscreen only after the skin has closed and follow product instructions so that gel or a sheet can adhere properly.
Common questions
Can scar cream work after several years?
A stable scar may sometimes become softer or more comfortable, but it will not disappear. Visible change is generally less likely than with a scar that is still maturing. A keloid, movement restriction or major distress deserves medical advice.
Can silicone go on a fresh wound?
No. Use it only when the wound is completely closed and dry. Increasing pain, warmth, swelling, pus or reopening requires clinical advice rather than another consumer product.
Is the most expensive option the best?
Not necessarily. The right choice fits the scar type, treatment area and routine you can follow for months. Dermatix has the widest seller-price gap in this comparison, so checking the current offer is particularly useful.
Conclusion: compare format and total cost of use
Measured expectations are essential for an old scar. Silicone has the clearest role for some fully healed, raised scars, but evidence remains imperfect and no product erases a scar. Choose gel or sheet by location, area and convenience, and treat hydrating aftercare as a separate category. Compare current Belgian pharmacy prices on PharmaCompare before buying, and ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if the scar grows, hurts, itches substantially, restricts movement or worries you.