An Englewood Cliffs plastic surgeon is leading a study on an elasticized tape that may reduce or prevent raised scars.
Dr. Steve Fallek said he became intrigued by Kinesio Tex Tape — developed by a Chinese chiropractor in the 1970s — while watching the 2008 Olympic Games. Beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh had the tape fixed to her shoulder, reportedly to enhance circulation and to stabilize the muscles after surgery.
Fallek contacted the company and discovered that Tex Tape, widely used by physical therapists, also has been helpful in preventing and minimizing raised scars.
"There are anecdotal reports that people swear by it not only for muscle pain and recovery from surgery and injury, but also to prevent and minimize keloid scars," said Fallek, who also practices in Manhattan and writes about plastic surgery in magazines such as Us Weekly and Life and Style.
"So many products on the market claim to promote healing, but there are no scientific studies that any of these things work," he said. "I wanted to do a study to test this one out."
Fallek began the investigation early in March and is seeking additional participants ages 18 and over who have one of two types of thick, collagen-based scars: hypertrophic and keloid.
Hypertrophic scars are generally red and raised but do not grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Keloids, most common in African-Americans, keep growing indefinitely. "The body lays down scar tissue and doesn't turn off the healing process," explained Fallek.
Kinesio provided tutorials to Fallek on how to apply the tape, and it is supplying the product for the study at no cost. The applications are non-invasive, painless and free to study participants. "The only restriction is anyone who's sensitive to adhesives," he said.
A plastic surgeon's typical anti-scar arsenal consists of products ranging from sunscreen, Vitamin E, silicone gel sheeting and cocoa butter to steroid injections, laser surgery and massage. Fallek said he's often asked about advertised products such as Mederma, which is made of onion extract, but there is no scientific proof of its effectiveness.
"Everybody is interested in preventing and minimizing scars, and there's so much misinformation out there," he said. "I thought we could take this to a different level since nobody has scientifically studied this before."
To inquire about participating in the study, contact Fallek's North Jersey office at 201-541-4181 or info@fallekplasticsurgery.com.
An Englewood Cliffs plastic surgeon is leading a study on an elasticized tape that may reduce or prevent raised scars.
Dr. Steve Fallek said he became intrigued by Kinesio Tex Tape — developed by a Chinese chiropractor in the 1970s — while watching the 2008 Olympic Games. Beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh had the tape fixed to her shoulder, reportedly to enhance circulation and to stabilize the muscles after surgery.
Fallek contacted the company and discovered that Tex Tape, widely used by physical therapists, also has been helpful in preventing and minimizing raised scars.
"There are anecdotal reports that people swear by it not only for muscle pain and recovery from surgery and injury, but also to prevent and minimize keloid scars," said Fallek, who also practices in Manhattan and writes about plastic surgery in magazines such as Us Weekly and Life and Style.
"So many products on the market claim to promote healing, but there are no scientific studies that any of these things work," he said. "I wanted to do a study to test this one out."
Fallek began the investigation early in March and is seeking additional participants ages 18 and over who have one of two types of thick, collagen-based scars: hypertrophic and keloid.
Hypertrophic scars are generally red and raised but do not grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Keloids, most common in African-Americans, keep growing indefinitely. "The body lays down scar tissue and doesn't turn off the healing process," explained Fallek.
Kinesio provided tutorials to Fallek on how to apply the tape, and it is supplying the product for the study at no cost. The applications are non-invasive, painless and free to study participants. "The only restriction is anyone who's sensitive to adhesives," he said.
A plastic surgeon's typical anti-scar arsenal consists of products ranging from sunscreen, Vitamin E, silicone gel sheeting and cocoa butter to steroid injections, laser surgery and massage. Fallek said he's often asked about advertised products such as Mederma, which is made of onion extract, but there is no scientific proof of its effectiveness.
"Everybody is interested in preventing and minimizing scars, and there's so much misinformation out there," he said. "I thought we could take this to a different level since nobody has scientifically studied this before."
To inquire about participating in the study, contact Fallek's North Jersey office at 201-541-4181 or info@fallekplasticsurgery.com.
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