Silicone or Vaseline: Which is Better for Scars?

If you have a new surgical scar, injury scar, or C-section scar, you may have heard two very different recommendations: use Vaseline to keep the area moisturized or use silicone to help improve the scar.

So which one is actually better?

The short answer is: it depends on where you are in the healing process.

That distinction matters. You don't necessarily have to choose one product over the other. In many cases, they simply have different roles at different stages of healing.

How Does Silicone Help Improve Scars

Silicone is one of the most widely used non-invasive choices for scar management. Clinical research supports its use for improving scar characteristics such as height, pigmentation and pliability. It is commonly used after surgery, injury, burns and other wounds once the skin has fully closed.

So, how does silicone work?

Silicone is made of flexible siloxane polymers that form a continuous film over a healed scar (1). This film helps regulate water loss from the scar surface and maintain hydration. The hydrated environment supports the activity of keratinocytes & fibroblasts, which are involved in skin repair and collagen production, helping regulate scar maturation.

Silicone can help improve scar thickness, firmness, color and flexibility over time.

Silicone scar care is available in three main forms: gel, sheets and tape. They all deliver silicone to the scar, but each format has practical advantages depending on the scar's size, location and how much the area moves.

Silicone Scar Gel

Silicone gel is applied directly to the scar and dries into a thin, flexible layer.

It is a convenient option for scars that are:

• Small or narrow

• On the face or other visible areas

• Located around curves or contours of the body

• Difficult to cover with a sheet

The biggest advantage is convenience. Once the gel dries, there is no sheet to keep it in place, making it easier to incorporate into a daily routine.

Important: A silicone gel should be applied only to closed, healed skin. It should not be used over an open wound, drainage, or broken skin.

Silicone Scar Sheets

Silicone sheets work on the same basic principle but keep silicone in direct contact with the scar for a longer period.

The sheet creates an occlusive layer over the scar while maintaining hydration at the skin surface. Silicone sheets have been studied extensively for hypertrophic and keloid scar management.

Sheets can be particularly practical for:

• Long surgical scars
• C-section scars
• Tummy tuck scars
• Larger, flatter scars
• Areas where a sheet can stay securely in place

They do require a little more preparation than gel. The skin should be clean and dry before application.

Silicone Scar Tape

Silicone tape is another option for longer scars or areas that experience frequent movement, where keeping a silicone sheet in place may be less convenient. 

It works the same way as silicone sheets.

What Does Vaseline Do for Scars

Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly) can be useful during the early healing stage, but it does not specifically treat an established scar.

• Locks in moisture by forming an occlusive layer over the skin
• Keeps healing skin soft and helps prevent excessive dryness
• Protects the healing area from friction and environmental irritation

Silicone vs. Vaseline

Can You Use Vaseline and Silicone Together

Yes, you can use both, but not at the same time or layered on top of each other. They can be used at different stages of healing.

Important: Once you start using silicone, apply it to clean, dry skin. Avoid putting Vaseline underneath silicone gel, sheets, or tape because it can interfere with direct contact and adhesion.

What Should You Look for in a Silicone Scar Product

Not every product marketed as a “scar cream” works the same way.

If you’re specifically looking for silicone scar care, check:

1. Ingredient List - Look for silicone.

2. Medical-Grade Silicone - Choose medical-grade silicone.

3. Fragrance & Additives - Prefer products without them.

4. Product Format - Choose gel, sheets, or tape based on your scar.

5. Application Instructions - Follow the recommended use and wear time.

Note: HealFast’s scar care range uses 100% medical-grade silicone, with no additives and is available as gel, sheets and tape. The products are surgery-safe, safe for kids and animal-friendly. You can purchase each product individually or choose the Scar Care Bundle if you need all three at a lower price than buying them separately. 

Related Articles:

What Is Silicon Dioxide and How Does It Help in Scar Healing

HealFast vs ScarAway vs Mederma vs Biocorneum: Best Scar Gel Comparison

How Different Skin Types Affect Scar Formation After Surgery

FAQs

Q 1: Is Vaseline good for scars?

Vaseline can keep healing skin moisturized and protected (3), but it is not specifically designed to manage an established scar.

Q 2: Is silicone gel or Vaseline better for scars?

If your goal is scar care, silicone gel is the preferred product since it is specifically formulated and researched for scar treatment.

Q 3: When should you stop putting Vaseline on a wound?

You can generally stop using Vaseline once the wound has fully closed and no longer needs wound protection. At that point, if you’re concerned about the resulting scar, you can consider switching to a silicone scar-care product.

Q 4: Does Vaseline stop bleeding?

No. Vaseline does not stop active bleeding. Apply gentle, steady pressure with clean gauze or a clean cloth to stop minor bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can apply Vaseline to help keep the wound moist during healing.

References:

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2023). PMC10298615. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10298615/

2. National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2015). PMC4486716. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4486716/

3. Healthline. (n.d.). Vaseline on face. https://www.healthline.com/health/vaseline-on-face