Difference between silicone scar gel and salicylic acid
Whether you’re stepping into a drug-store, or shopping online for an effective scar treatment, the amount of options you’ll see are overwhelming. Topical solutions alone yield myriad, and almost endless choices for you to make. It’s one thing to know about your options, but knowing how they compare presents a whole new host of problems entirely. If you have never used an over the counter scar treatment before, there is a lot of information to take in. While we can’t compare all of the options in this article, we can put the two “heavy hitters” against each other for good measure. Silicone Scar Gel and Salicylic Acid are amongst the most popular options, so let’s begin our comparisons here.
Comfort of use
One of the greatest benefits of silicone star gel over salicylic acid is that it spreads easily, dries quickly, doesn’t irritate sensitive skin, and prevents the growth of bacteria. Silicone gel keeps the skin hydrated and lets it breathe, so scars are able to soften. Research shows that silicone gel can also reduce a scar’s texture, color, and height, therefore reducing visibility.
Conversely, although salicylic acid is mostly considered safe, it has the potential to cause skin irritation during its first several uses. Salicylic acid is known for removing too much skin oil, and irritation is caused by the resulting dryness. This dryness can lead to discomforts such as stinging or tingling, or both.
Cosmetic Applications
When using Silicone gel, makeup and sun protection cream can be applied over the top of the gel when fully dried. The convenience of being able to go about your life, or hit up the beach without incident is always a positive to consider. Salicylic acid can be used with makeup, but the concentration of BHA and AHA in your makeup could be neutralized and canceled out by the Vitamin C that is often paired with Salicylic acid. In short, the efficacy of Salicylic acid can be diminished by using other topical products in a way that Silicone Gel can not.
Side Effects
Liquid silicone scar gel has no significant adverse effects, but a minor side effect you could come across would be in the form of a mild rash. Salicylic acid, however, can be the cause of a multitude of side-effects, and consulting your physician is encouraged if you’re considering this route of treatment. Side effects include, but are not limited to: severe headache, ringing in your ears, severe stomach pain, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and severe burning, dryness, or irritation of the skin. While Salicylic acid may offer results you desire, they come with a multitude of risks compared to silicone scar gel which has been shown to be effective without as many drawbacks.
Decisions, Decisions
While your choice in scar treatment is ultimately up to you, the benefits of silicone scar gel outweigh the risks in terms of maintaining your lifestyle. In regard to any form of skin treatment, we always strongly recommend you consult with your physician before undergoing any kind of treatment to make sure it fits into your overall health and wellness goals without issue. For more information, feel free to explore our products (editorial note, link will be inserted) page for information involving ingredients and proper application of our products. .
About AIM Medical
AIM Medical is a skincare products research, engineering and manufacturing company based in the world's medtech hub - Boston, Massachusetts. Dedicated to developing novel, safe, yet highly effective portfolio of products that target common dermatologic conditions, AIM Medical advances the high value opportunities for products that focus on wound care and atopic dermatitis. At AIM Medical we are proud of our heritage of creating health and beauty through technology innovation. We have aligned AIM Medical to be a worldwide healthcare brand advancing the cutting edge technologies to work in real.