Types of SSCP
Questions & Answers
1. What is a scar?
A scar is part of the normal healing process. The type of scar that forms can depend on a variety of factors including the nature of the injury, which part of the body, the size and the depth of the wound. Scars consist of a non-living protein called collagen which is the most common tissue in the body.
Some injuries will leave a flat white scar that will virtually fade away in time. SSCP is not effective on this type of scar. SSCP is appropriate for red and raised scars resulting from injury to any part of the body, including the face, from surgery or accidents, and may be cuts or burns. But, other scars known as hypertrophic and keloids can cause great discomfort both by restricting movement and by emotional distress.
2. How did the SSCP come about?
In 2014, in HK, Professor Cecilia Li of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) looking for an new insert to replace the traditional plastazote insert which was commonly used by therapist in Hong Kong. The insert is used under pressure garments to ensure that pressure was being evenly distributed and enhanced. It was noticed that combination of the silicone gel with Pressure Garment works well and the scar responsed positively and improved more rapidly. Following this discovery in Hong Kong, the clinical trials began in HK and mainland China, which found it was effective when used together with Pressure therapy.
3. Can the SSCP used for New and Old scars?
SSCP is designed for the management of both old and new hypertrophic and keloid scars. It can also be used as a prophylactic therapy on closed wounds for the prevention of hypertrophic or keloid scarring.
4. How to store the SSCP for reuse?
The packing of SSCP is kept in rectangular shape plastic tray covered with sterile paper bag. For the first time user, peel the lid of the paper bag containing SSCP. With a pair of scissors, cut the SSCP sheet to suit the size of the scar. Store the remaining SSCP sheet on the plastic tray the SSCP came in and kept inside the paper bag. SSCP should be stored in a cool, dust free and dry place away from direct heat or sunlight. The remaining SSCP sheet can last for more than 6 months if stored properly.
5. How does SSCP work?
SSCP works through a combination of effects of Pressure and Silicone Gel. The gel sheet covers the red, raised scar and produces a moisturizing effect which helps to flatten the scar, improve the texture and help to take away the colour. The optimal Pressure of 15-30mm Hg produced positive effect on the raised scar.
6. What is the daily cost of SSCP?
As SSCP for surgical scar was designed to suit different length of Scar. It will enable a 5cm scar to be treated for up to 1 months with the application of pressure enhancer such as pressure tube, tubigrip, coban, taping or Pressure band etc. The daily expenses for the SSCP is minimal for daily use.
7. How is SSCP used and how long will it take for the scar to get better?
It can vary from person to person and from scar to scar. Some people may see an improvement in a matter of days. When used correctly, best results are seen after 2-4 months treatment time. For the first two days of treatment SSCP should be used for 2 hours per day. For the next two days, SSCP can be increased to 8 hours per day. After this, wear time should be increased by 2 hours per day until a minimum of 12 hours per day is reached. If possible, SSCP should be worn 20 hours per day. This build up is necessary to get the skin accustomed to the gel sheet.
Each separate cut piece used should be cleansed twice daily and will last up to one month in use. Painless to remove and easy to replace, the adhesive sheet stays in place, and Pressure tape or pressure enhancer is needed to add pressure to the Scar. The SSCP adhesive gel sheet is soft, comfortable and easy to apply. It can be cut to size to fit most scars, it is durable and reusable and is ideal for either day or night use.
8. Do I have to wear it forever / how long is the treatment period?
No, it is intended as a temporary treatment but can be worn until you stop seeing further improvement in your scar. The total treatment time is likely to be from 2-4 months.
9. How soon can SSCP be used after an injury?
SSCP may be used on any old or new closed wounds, including red or raised scars resulting from surgical incisions such as cesarean sections, cosmetic surgery or accidental injury such as burns and cuts. Always ensure that the wound is fully closed before using SSCP. Do not use on open wounds, infected wounds, scabs, or over stitches.
10. How do I know if SSCP will work on my scar?
The scar needs to be red and/or raised for SSCP to be effective - it doesn't work on old white, flat scars.
11. How do I care for SSCP?
SSCP gel sheet must be cleaned twice or more daily. This may need to be increased in warm weather or during periods of physical activity.
Mild soap can be used, but do not clean with household cleaning products. For your own comfort and convenience, SSCP can be removed for you to wash and bathe as normal.
12. Why do I have to wash SSCP?
As part of normal hygiene it is wise to keep the SSCP clean. Also the stickiness of the product is restored after cleansing. This will remove normal oils/secretions of skin.
13. Is it safe to use?
Yes. SSCP is a medically grade, silicone gel sheet. It is safe for use on children and adults.
14. What if I have a skin condition, e.g. eczema, psoriasis, or acne?
Where there is broken skin, SSCP should not be used.
15. Will it work with old scars?
Yes or No. Results showed that most of red and hypertropic scars improved in appearance by softening, flattening and fading the colour of the scar. However, results are expected to be most effective on more recent scars than old scars.
16. Will it work on hairy skin?
In order for SSCP to work, it must be in good contact with the scar. If there is too much hair, then shaving may be an option.
17. Will it work on elderly people and/or babies?
It is safe for use on children and adults.
The product has been tested on subjects from 2-60+ years of age. We have no data on its use on babies below the age of 2 years.
18. Will it prevent scarring?
Yes, SSCP has been shown to reduce the incidence of red and raised (Hypertrophic & Keloid) scars, if used immediately after wound closure.
19. What are the types of scars/how many types are there?
There are a several types of scars. Normal scars are usually flat and light coloured. SSCP is not effective on this type of scar.SSCP is appropriate for red and raised scars. Hypertrophic scars are red and raised and remain within the boundaries of the original injury. Keloids are also red and raised, but usually grow outside the original boundaries of the injury. Keloids can also be quite itchy.
20. Why do some skin types scar more than others?
It is not totally clear why some skin types scar more easily or readily than others. Nevertheless, it is believed that darker skinned people are usually at a higher risk.
SSCP can be used to prevent scarring when used as soon as the wound has healed.
21. Once SSCP reduces my scar/makes it better, will the scar come back?
Bear in mind that even though there will always be some evidence of the scar, nobody has reported any recurrence of a scar after treatment with SSCP.
22. How to clear the SSCP / Pressure Band?
Wash SSCP daily by hand soap and rinse in clean warm water. Drip dry and reapply to the dry clean scar. Avoid using detergent for cleansing as this may lead to skin irritation. Avoid using paper products to dry the SSCP as it can adhere to the sheet. In hot weather or during periods of physical activity where sweating occur, SSCP should be cleansed more often for comfort and to maintain optimal contact between SSCP and the skin.
23. Hong long does SSCP stay for?
When SSCP begins to deteriorate or cleaning is difficult, it should be replaced . It is suggested to change if after 4 weeks.
A scar is part of the normal healing process. The type of scar that forms can depend on a variety of factors including the nature of the injury, which part of the body, the size and the depth of the wound. Scars consist of a non-living protein called collagen which is the most common tissue in the body.
Some injuries will leave a flat white scar that will virtually fade away in time. SSCP is not effective on this type of scar. SSCP is appropriate for red and raised scars resulting from injury to any part of the body, including the face, from surgery or accidents, and may be cuts or burns. But, other scars known as hypertrophic and keloids can cause great discomfort both by restricting movement and by emotional distress.
- A keloid scar is a red and raised area which can be uncomfortable and restricting. This type of scarring is a result of the build up of collagen in the area, making the scar larger than the actual size of the wound.
- Hypertrophic scarring is also red and raised, but without the excess collagen build-up leaving the scar confined to the original wound area.
2. How did the SSCP come about?
In 2014, in HK, Professor Cecilia Li of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) looking for an new insert to replace the traditional plastazote insert which was commonly used by therapist in Hong Kong. The insert is used under pressure garments to ensure that pressure was being evenly distributed and enhanced. It was noticed that combination of the silicone gel with Pressure Garment works well and the scar responsed positively and improved more rapidly. Following this discovery in Hong Kong, the clinical trials began in HK and mainland China, which found it was effective when used together with Pressure therapy.
3. Can the SSCP used for New and Old scars?
SSCP is designed for the management of both old and new hypertrophic and keloid scars. It can also be used as a prophylactic therapy on closed wounds for the prevention of hypertrophic or keloid scarring.
4. How to store the SSCP for reuse?
The packing of SSCP is kept in rectangular shape plastic tray covered with sterile paper bag. For the first time user, peel the lid of the paper bag containing SSCP. With a pair of scissors, cut the SSCP sheet to suit the size of the scar. Store the remaining SSCP sheet on the plastic tray the SSCP came in and kept inside the paper bag. SSCP should be stored in a cool, dust free and dry place away from direct heat or sunlight. The remaining SSCP sheet can last for more than 6 months if stored properly.
5. How does SSCP work?
SSCP works through a combination of effects of Pressure and Silicone Gel. The gel sheet covers the red, raised scar and produces a moisturizing effect which helps to flatten the scar, improve the texture and help to take away the colour. The optimal Pressure of 15-30mm Hg produced positive effect on the raised scar.
6. What is the daily cost of SSCP?
As SSCP for surgical scar was designed to suit different length of Scar. It will enable a 5cm scar to be treated for up to 1 months with the application of pressure enhancer such as pressure tube, tubigrip, coban, taping or Pressure band etc. The daily expenses for the SSCP is minimal for daily use.
7. How is SSCP used and how long will it take for the scar to get better?
It can vary from person to person and from scar to scar. Some people may see an improvement in a matter of days. When used correctly, best results are seen after 2-4 months treatment time. For the first two days of treatment SSCP should be used for 2 hours per day. For the next two days, SSCP can be increased to 8 hours per day. After this, wear time should be increased by 2 hours per day until a minimum of 12 hours per day is reached. If possible, SSCP should be worn 20 hours per day. This build up is necessary to get the skin accustomed to the gel sheet.
Each separate cut piece used should be cleansed twice daily and will last up to one month in use. Painless to remove and easy to replace, the adhesive sheet stays in place, and Pressure tape or pressure enhancer is needed to add pressure to the Scar. The SSCP adhesive gel sheet is soft, comfortable and easy to apply. It can be cut to size to fit most scars, it is durable and reusable and is ideal for either day or night use.
8. Do I have to wear it forever / how long is the treatment period?
No, it is intended as a temporary treatment but can be worn until you stop seeing further improvement in your scar. The total treatment time is likely to be from 2-4 months.
9. How soon can SSCP be used after an injury?
SSCP may be used on any old or new closed wounds, including red or raised scars resulting from surgical incisions such as cesarean sections, cosmetic surgery or accidental injury such as burns and cuts. Always ensure that the wound is fully closed before using SSCP. Do not use on open wounds, infected wounds, scabs, or over stitches.
10. How do I know if SSCP will work on my scar?
The scar needs to be red and/or raised for SSCP to be effective - it doesn't work on old white, flat scars.
11. How do I care for SSCP?
SSCP gel sheet must be cleaned twice or more daily. This may need to be increased in warm weather or during periods of physical activity.
Mild soap can be used, but do not clean with household cleaning products. For your own comfort and convenience, SSCP can be removed for you to wash and bathe as normal.
12. Why do I have to wash SSCP?
As part of normal hygiene it is wise to keep the SSCP clean. Also the stickiness of the product is restored after cleansing. This will remove normal oils/secretions of skin.
13. Is it safe to use?
Yes. SSCP is a medically grade, silicone gel sheet. It is safe for use on children and adults.
14. What if I have a skin condition, e.g. eczema, psoriasis, or acne?
Where there is broken skin, SSCP should not be used.
15. Will it work with old scars?
Yes or No. Results showed that most of red and hypertropic scars improved in appearance by softening, flattening and fading the colour of the scar. However, results are expected to be most effective on more recent scars than old scars.
16. Will it work on hairy skin?
In order for SSCP to work, it must be in good contact with the scar. If there is too much hair, then shaving may be an option.
17. Will it work on elderly people and/or babies?
It is safe for use on children and adults.
The product has been tested on subjects from 2-60+ years of age. We have no data on its use on babies below the age of 2 years.
18. Will it prevent scarring?
Yes, SSCP has been shown to reduce the incidence of red and raised (Hypertrophic & Keloid) scars, if used immediately after wound closure.
19. What are the types of scars/how many types are there?
There are a several types of scars. Normal scars are usually flat and light coloured. SSCP is not effective on this type of scar.SSCP is appropriate for red and raised scars. Hypertrophic scars are red and raised and remain within the boundaries of the original injury. Keloids are also red and raised, but usually grow outside the original boundaries of the injury. Keloids can also be quite itchy.
20. Why do some skin types scar more than others?
It is not totally clear why some skin types scar more easily or readily than others. Nevertheless, it is believed that darker skinned people are usually at a higher risk.
SSCP can be used to prevent scarring when used as soon as the wound has healed.
21. Once SSCP reduces my scar/makes it better, will the scar come back?
Bear in mind that even though there will always be some evidence of the scar, nobody has reported any recurrence of a scar after treatment with SSCP.
22. How to clear the SSCP / Pressure Band?
Wash SSCP daily by hand soap and rinse in clean warm water. Drip dry and reapply to the dry clean scar. Avoid using detergent for cleansing as this may lead to skin irritation. Avoid using paper products to dry the SSCP as it can adhere to the sheet. In hot weather or during periods of physical activity where sweating occur, SSCP should be cleansed more often for comfort and to maintain optimal contact between SSCP and the skin.
23. Hong long does SSCP stay for?
When SSCP begins to deteriorate or cleaning is difficult, it should be replaced . It is suggested to change if after 4 weeks.