Embrace is an FDA-cleared scar therapy that combines medical-grade silicone with a tension-relief system, designed to prevent and improve the appearance of surgical scars more effectively than standard silicone-only products. While our office doesn’t sell or provide Embrace directly, I recommend it to plastic surgery patients who are especially concerned about visible scarring or who have a personal history of keloid scars.
In the video below, I sit down with Lacey from Embrace scar therapy for a live demonstration of how the product is applied.
How Is Embrace Different From Standard Silicone Scar Products?
Unlike typical silicone sheets, gels, or creams, Embrace treats a scar from two directions simultaneously, rather than just one. Most standard silicone-only products sit on top of the skin and address only the surface. Embrace combines that same medical-grade silicone therapy with a mechanical tension-relief system that gently holds the edges of a closed incision together, addressing tension on the wound, which is one of the root physical causes of raised, widened scarring. Meanwhile, the silicone layer works to flatten, soften, and hydrate the scar tissue itself.
What’s the Application and Wear Cycle for Embrace?
Embrace is typically applied 2 to 4 weeks after sutures are removed, once the incision is fully closed and dry, with each application worn for about 7 to 10 days before being replaced. This is sometimes referred to as the “10-day wear cycle.” Application is straightforward enough to do at home:
- Clean the incision site with soap and water, then wipe with alcohol and allow the skin to fully dry before applying.
- Avoid lotions or ointments on the area, and keep the incision site flat and still during application — for abdominal incisions like a tummy tuck, that often means lying down.
- Remove gently, ideally while showering or with the help of a little baby oil to loosen the adhesive.
- Allow the skin about 12 to 24 hours of rest between applications.
Embrace should not be used on open or abraded skin, or if scabbing is still present. It’s designed for closed, healed incisions.
When Do Results Become Visible With Embrace?
Many of our patients begin to notice a visible difference after their first 2 applications, which typically takes about 3 to 4 weeks of use. For patients who scar easily or have a history of keloid scarring, continuing treatment for 12 weeks or longer is generally recommended for the best long-term results.
Which Procedures Does Embrace Pair Best With?
Embrace works on any new surgical scar, but it’s most commonly used after procedures with longer or more tension-prone incisions, where the risk of a raised or widened scar is higher. Embrace is available in a range of sizes, including kits designed specifically for:
Again, while we don’t directly provide the product, I often recommend it to our patients who express concerns about visible scarring.
Who Should Consider Embrace Over Standard Silicone Sheets?
Patients who are especially concerned about visible scarring, or who have a personal history of keloid or hypertrophic scarring, are often good candidates to consider Embrace specifically, since it addresses incision tension in addition to providing silicone therapy.
If you’re considering a cosmetic procedure and want to talk through options like Embrace for minimizing scarring, I encourage you to request a consultation at our Burbank practice or call (818) 500-0823 to schedule an appointment.
This blog post was originally published in February 2017 and updated in September 2026.
Leave a Reply