Polyurethane Technology
What are scars?
Scars always occur when the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is cut and the injury extends to the dermis. Since our body is unable to replace the destroyed, highly specialized tissue, the wound is “repaired” with connective tissue. As a result, the wound develops into a scar, which does not have a good blood circulation, is often uneven and less elastic, and may vary in colour.
Types of scars
Hypertrophic scars can be characterized as bulgy, reddish, connective tissue that are raised, above the surrounding skin level and limited to the original wound area.
Keloids are scars which emerge after a couple of months spread beyond the original wound area as a result of excessive, surplus production of connective tissue fibres.
Atrophic scars lie below the surrounding skin tissue level and are mainly due to a reduced number of collagenous fibres within the original wound. For more info, click here.
What is it?
In the treatment of scars, it could be demonstrated that pads made of skin-friendly polyurethane, an established, hospital-proven technology in wound treatment, exert pressure on the scar as well as increase the temperature of the scar. These two physical actions have a pronounced effect upon the natural reorganization of the scar tissue: the activity of collagenase, a key enzyme for the remodelling process, is increased, microcirculation in the scar is activated and an improved blood flow is achieved.
How does it work?
Elastoplast Scar Reducer is an effective treatment that helps to reduce the visibility of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Clinical studies prove its support in the remodelling process of scar tissue*. The polyurethane raises the temperature and blood circulation in the tissue, activating the body’s metabolism and supporting the restructuring of connective tissue. First results of paler, smoother scars become visible after 3-4 weeks with significant success expected after 8 weeks of continuous treatment.
* Klopp R et al., Journal of Wound Care 200; 9(7):319-324
Mensing H. et al., Aktuelle Dermatologie 2003; 29:230-235
Schmidt, A. et al., Treating. Journal of Wound Care 2001;10(5):149-153
Wigger-Alberti W et al., Journal of Wound Care 2009; 18(5):208-14