Effects of silicone gel sheet on the stratum corneum hydration

Various groups have reported the efficacy of treatment with topical silicon e gel sheet (SGS) for keloids and hypertrophic scars. Because its hydrating effect on the stratum corneum (SC) has been suggested as a mechanism under lying its therapeutic effectiveness, we evaluated it by comparing it with s imple plastic film occlusion. With biophysical instruments we assessed the water content of the skin surface as well as its water evaporation on the f lexor aspects of bilateral forearms of 10 healthy volunteers for 30 min aft er removal of dressings of SGS or a plastic film that were applied either f or 1 day or for 7 days. Occlusion with SGS or plastic film induced hydratio n of the skin surface, which was followed by an initial quick and later slo w process of dehydration when the skin was exposed to the ambient atmospher e. The magnitude of the increase in hydration induced by SGS was always sma ller than that of the plastic film occlusion and, unlike the latter treatme nt, hydration became less with repetition of SGS treatment. On day 7, the S C hydration quickly reduced to the level of non-treated control skin after removal of the dressings. An in vivo test demonstrated that the water-holdi ng capacity of the SC normalised after 7 days of SGS treatment. SGS probabl y produces a favourable condition for the skin by protecting it from variou s environmental stimuli, while keeping the SC in an adequately but not over -hydrated condition. (C) 2000 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.