Scar Care · Medication Guide
Silicone Scar Gel in Thailand
What medical-grade silicone gel does for surgical and raised scars, how strong the evidence really is, and how to use it safely in Bangkok. Reviewed by a licensed physician at a MOPH-registered men's health clinic.
- Results build over 2–3 months
- Thai FDA notified · sold over the counter
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Thitaree Vongseenin
Menscape Clinic
Last reviewed
11 July 2026
1st
Line of scar care
the non-invasive option guidelines recommend first
2×
Applications a day
a thin layer on fully healed skin
2–3
Months of daily use
before the result can be judged
0
Systemic absorption
sits on the skin, not taken into the body
Key takeaways
Medical-grade silicone gel is the first-line, non-invasive way to prevent and soften raised (hypertrophic) and keloid scars, including scars left by surgery and minor procedures.
It contains no drug: a thin breathable film seals in moisture, which helps overactive scar tissue calm down over months, not days.
In Thailand it is sold over the counter, but only medical-grade silicone from a licensed pharmacy is worth using. Many online "scar creams" are weaker or counterfeit.
It works only on fully healed skin, takes 2–3 months of twice-daily use, and fades scars rather than erasing them.
01
What silicone scar gel is & how it works
Silicone scar gel is a clear, self-drying topical used to prevent and treat raised scars (hypertrophic scars and keloids), including the scars left by surgery, minor procedures and injuries. It is the most widely recommended non-invasive scar treatment in international clinical guidelines.
It does not contain a drug. Applied as a thin layer over healed skin, it dries into a flexible, breathable film that seals in moisture and reduces water loss from the scar surface. That steady hydration signals the skin to slow down the collagen overproduction that makes scars raised, red and firm. Over weeks to months, treated scars tend to flatten, soften and fade in colour.
Silicone is supportive, not magic. It works best on new scars, needs consistent daily use for months, and improves scars rather than removing them. It also needs the skin underneath to be fully closed before you start.
It is one scar-care option among several. Thick or long-standing keloids sometimes need in-clinic treatment such as steroid injections, and some scars settle well on their own. Whether silicone gel is the right choice, and whether your wound is ready for it, is worth a quick check with a pharmacist or doctor.
The wound closes
Once skin has fully healed, remodelling begins. In some people the body lays down too much collagen, and the scar rises, reddens and hardens.
Silicone forms a film
A thin layer of gel dries into a flexible, near-invisible sheet that covers the scar and stays put through the day.
It locks in hydration
The film cuts water loss from the scar surface, keeping it hydrated and telling the skin it is protected.¹
Scar tissue calms down
Better-hydrated skin down-regulates collagen overproduction, so many scars flatten, soften and fade over 2–3 months of daily use.²
02
Getting silicone scar gel in Thailand
Thai FDA status
Medical-grade silicone gel is a notified skincare product in Thailand and is sold over the counter, with no prescription needed. It is available in pharmacies and clinics, sold under brands such as Dermatix and Kelo-cote.⁶
How Menscape helps
A pharmacist or doctor first checks that the wound is fully closed, then guides you on when to start and how to apply it. If you had a procedure with us, we time scar care to your recovery and follow it up.
Skip the grey-market creams
Many online "scar removal" gels rely on vitamin E or onion extract, which have weaker evidence than silicone, and counterfeit skincare is common. Buying medical-grade silicone from a licensed pharmacy is the safer choice.⁶
Regulatory note. Silicone scar products are regulated as skincare/medical devices rather than as drugs, so they are freely sold, but that also means quality varies. Only apply silicone to fully healed, closed skin; on open or infected wounds it can trap moisture and cause problems.
03
Does it work? The evidence
Silicone has been the standard first-line, non-invasive scar treatment for decades. International clinical guidelines, first standardised in 2002 and updated since, recommend it both to prevent raised scars in people prone to them and to treat existing hypertrophic and keloid scars. It is the option surgeons reach for first because it is safe, simple and well tolerated.³
The honest caveat is that the trials behind it are mostly small and imperfect. A Cochrane review found silicone gel sheeting reduced scarring in people at high risk, but rated the quality of the evidence as weak and prone to bias. So the direction of benefit is clear and the downside is low, but no one can promise a specific percentage of improvement. What matters most is starting on healed skin and using it every day.⁴
Two things to know before you start. First, silicone needs a fully closed wound; on open or weeping skin it does more harm than good. Second, it needs patience: guidelines recommend at least 2–3 months of consistent twice-daily use before judging the result, and newer scars respond better than mature ones.³
1st
Line, non-invasive
recommended first in international scar-management guidelines
Weak
Trial evidence quality
helpful, but the studies are small and imperfect
Based on international scar-management guidelines (Mustoe 2002; Monstrey 2014) and a Cochrane systematic review (2013). Individual results vary.
04
Side effects & who shouldn't use it
Uncommon side effects
Silicone is very well tolerated. Occasionally it causes mild itching, rash or irritation at the application site, usually if applied too thickly or too often. These settle when you thin the layer or pause use.⁵
Rare, worth watching
Contact dermatitis is uncommon but possible. Applying gel over skin that has not fully healed, or under heavy dressings, can trap moisture and lead to maceration or a folliculitis-type rash.
When to wait
Do not use it on open, weeping or infected wounds, over stitches still in place, or on broken skin. Wait until the wound is fully closed and, for surgical scars, until sutures are out.
Handling & sun
Keep it away from the eyes and mucous membranes, and check with a doctor before using it on very sensitive areas. Scars darken with UV, so keep the area covered or use sunscreen once the gel has dried.
05
Alternatives & combinations
Same principle · sheet form
Silicone sheeting
Adhesive silicone sheets work the same way as the gel and suit large, flat areas. Gel is easier on the face, joints and hairy skin because it dries clear and moves with you.
In-clinic · stubborn keloids
Corticosteroid injections
For thick or persistent keloid and hypertrophic scars, a doctor may inject a steroid such as triamcinolone directly into the scar. It is often combined with ongoing silicone use.
Supportive care
Sun protection & massage
Daily sunscreen stops fresh scars darkening, and gentle scar massage can help soften them. These support silicone rather than replace it.
06
How to get it at Menscape
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Recovering from a procedure? Ask about scar care.
Ask online or walk in
Message the clinic or drop by our Asoke location and tell us about your scar or your recent procedure. It is quick and PDPA-protected.
Wound & skin check
A pharmacist or doctor confirms the wound is fully healed and that silicone gel is the right fit for your skin and scar.
Same-day pickup or delivery
Collect your medical-grade silicone gel at the Asoke clinic the same day, or have it delivered to you.
How to use it right
We show you how to apply a thin layer twice daily, how long to keep it up, and what realistic progress looks like over 2–3 months.
The team decides. Silicone gel only works on fully healed skin. If your wound is not ready, a pharmacist or doctor will tell you to wait and advise what to do in the meantime.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Thitaree Vongseenin
Menscape Clinic, Bangkok
“The two things that decide how a scar turns out are starting on healed skin and being consistent. Silicone is safe and simple, but it rewards the people who use it every day for a few months.”
- Reviewed
- 11 July 2026
- Next review
- January 2027
- Editorial standard
- Each guide is checked against the Thai FDA label and the primary literature, then reviewed by a licensed physician.
07
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy silicone scar gel over the counter in Thailand?
Yes. Medical-grade silicone scar gel is sold over the counter in pharmacies and clinics; no prescription is needed. To be safe, buy medical-grade silicone from a licensed pharmacy rather than an unbranded online "scar cream", which may be weaker or counterfeit.
When can I start using it after surgery?
Only once the wound is fully closed and any stitches are out, which is usually around 2–3 weeks depending on the procedure. Applying it too early, on skin that has not healed, can trap moisture and cause problems. Ask your surgeon or doctor before you start.
How long until I see a difference?
Silicone works slowly. With consistent twice-daily use, raised scars tend to flatten, soften and fade over 2–3 months, and improvement can continue for longer. If nothing changes after a few months, ask a doctor about other options.
Does it work on old scars?
It works best on newer scars, generally within the first year, while they are still remodelling. Older, mature scars respond less to silicone alone, and a doctor may suggest steroid injections or other in-clinic treatments.
Gel or silicone sheets: which is better?
The evidence for both is similar. Gel suits the face, joints and hairy areas because it dries clear and invisible, while sheets suit larger, flatter areas. Choose whichever you will actually use every day.
Can it remove a scar completely?
No. Silicone softens, flattens and fades scars, but it does not erase them, and no topical can. Be cautious of any product that claims to "remove" scars entirely.
Is it safe to use after a minor procedure like circumcision?
On fully healed skin, silicone gel is generally safe, but keep it away from mucous membranes and the eyes. For scars in sensitive areas, check with a doctor first so you start at the right time and on the right skin.
What about vitamin E or onion-extract scar creams?
They are popular but have weaker evidence than silicone, and vitamin E can occasionally irritate the skin. Silicone is the first-choice non-invasive treatment in international guidelines.
08
References
1. Mustoe TA, et al. International clinical recommendations on scar management. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002;110(2):560-571.
2. Bleasdale B, et al. The use of silicone adhesives for scar reduction. Adv Wound Care. 2015;4(7):422-430.
3. Monstrey S, et al. Updated scar management practical guidelines: non-invasive and invasive measures. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2014;67(8):1017-1025.
4. O'Brien L, Jones DJ. Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(9):CD003826.
5. Gold MH, et al. Updated international clinical recommendations on scar management, part 2. Dermatol Surg. 2014;40(8):825-831.
6. Thai Food and Drug Administration — cosmetic and medical device notification databases, fda.moph.go.th. Accessed July 2026.
7. Meaume S, et al. Management of scars: updated practical guidelines and use of silicones. Eur J Dermatol. 2014;24(4):435-443.
This guide is educational information, not medical advice. Silicone scar gel should be applied only to fully healed skin; if you are unsure whether your wound is ready, ask a licensed pharmacist or physician.
This guide is part of the Menscape skin library
Explore the condition hubWorried about a scar? Ask a clinician, not a forum.
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