Frequently Asked Questions
The story of wearing extra cosmetic cover up, long skirts or pants, or long sleeve shirts because of scarring is an all too old tale. Thankfully with the discovery of Cica Care, the matter can be addressed and scaring can be resolved. Cica Care Silicone Gel Sheets are truly unique products for clearing scars. Each self-adhesive gels sheet is medically proven to be up to 90% effective in improving red, dark, or raised scars. Cica Care products are also used by medical professionals to treat over one million people worldwide. Truly, all scars do heal!
In spite of all you have just heard, you might be wondering: Does Cica Care Work? Does Cica Care Work on all skin types? Following is a compilation of questions and answers on the subject of Cica Care and how it can most effectively work for you.
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. Cica-Care* is not effective on this type of scar. Cica-Care 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.
What is Cica-Care?
Cica-Care is a unique product for treating scars. It is an advanced form of silicone in an adhesive gel sheet, which is medically proven to be effective in up to 90% of the cases by flattening, fading and softening red and raised scars, old and new.
How did the product come about?
In 1982, in Australia, a children's hospital was looking for a material which could be used under pressure garments to ensure that pressure was being evenly distributed. It was noticed that where the silicone gel was the scar improved more rapidly. Following this discovery in Australia, the clinical trials began in the UK, which found it was effective when used alone.
Was Cica-Care developed just for scar treatment?
No, it was originally used for pressure relief.
How does Cica-Care work?
Cica-Care works through a combination of effects. 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.
What is the daily cost of Cica-Care?
As Cica-Care can be cut to size, one piece (12 x 6 cm) will enable a 5cm scar to be treated for up to 4 months. The new price negotiated by the NHS for Cica-Care now allows for a 5cm scar to be treated for as little as 10p per day.
How is Cica-Care 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 Cica-Care should be used for 4 hours per day. For the next two days, Cica-Care 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, Cica-Care should be worn 24 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, although a light bandage or tape may give extra help to hold it in place. The Cica-Care 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.
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.
How soon can Cica-Care be used after an injury?
Cica-Care* 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 Cica-Care. Do not use on open wounds, infected wounds, scabs, or over stitches.
How do I know if Cica-Care will work on my scar?
The scar needs to be red and/or raised for Cica-Care to be effective - it doesn't work on old white, flat scars.
If my scar is longer than the piece of Cica-Care, can I join pieces together?
Yes, the scar may require more than one piece cut from the sheet to cover the scar. These should be placed edge to edge rather than overlapping each other.
How do I care for Cica-Care?
Cica-Care gel sheet must be cleaned twice 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, Cica-Care can be removed for you to wash and bathe as normal.