Scar Tape

Q: Dr. Eppley, what is the nest method for scar treatment after surgery? I know there are lots of topically applied products most which appear to be made of silicone gel or oil. I also see there are scar tapes. Are scar tapes better than the topical ones? How are they applied and where can get them?

A: There are also multiple scar tapes most of which have silicone in them. But my preferred scar tape is the Micropore tape. It is from 3M, flesh colored and is microporous so moisture can escape from them. The regimen I use for my patients for just about any type of surgical scar is as follows. The tape should be applied to your scars immediately after surgery and left on until they fall off on their own (usually about 7 days). The tape can then be reapplied. It is important to ‘shingle’ the tape, using short 2″ pieces that overlap slightly. The tape must be worn continuously for several months until all signs of inflammation are gone (no residual redness, swelling etc). When the scar is white, you can discontinue the tape. There are more expensive tapes and wound support technologies available and under development, but the tape technique is very economical and probably equally effective to other scar treatment methods.