Efficacy of topical silicone 5% hydrogel vs. topical hydrocortisone 1% ointment in keloid treatment measured using POSAS score: a randomized, double-blind study

Silicone-based products are often used to improve signs and symptoms of hypertrophic and keloid scars. An improved silicone product, ScarLess™ Hydrogel (SH), is a 5% silicone-based super-oxidized hydrogel meant to reduce keloid scars’ vascularity, elasticity, and height. This study aimed to compare the efficacy between SH and hydrocortisone (HCT) 1% ointment in keloid treatment. This study was a prospective, single-centered, randomized, double-blind study involving twenty-eight subjects with keloid scars. The scars were assigned randomly as Scar A and Scar B in a 1:1 ratio to receive HCT or SH under occlusion, respectively, for over 12 weeks. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was used for clinical evaluation. According to the POSAS, there were significant improvements in both patient and observer scorings in both treatment arms. SH has equal therapeutic efficacy as HCT in keloid treatment. SH did not present with any safety issues or side effects.