Method and composition for the treatment of scars

Abstract

A method and composition for treating healed wounds including hypertrophic scars so as to prevent scarring or reduce the size and improve the appearance of scars comprises applying to the healed wound or scar a composition comprising a fluid, film-forming carrier which may contain one or more active topical ingredients, the carrier hardening to a solid, tangible, membrane juxtaposed to the skin. Novel compositions using the film-forming carrier are also useful to treat a variety of adverse skin disorders, and internal physiological conditions.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method of treating healed wounds to prevent or reduce scarring or to improve the appearance of scars comprising: applying onto a healed wound a composition comprising a fluid, film-forming carrier, and hardening the carrier into a tangible membrane which can be peeled off the skin either at completion of treatment or to apply a subsequent dose of the composition, said tangible membrane juxtaposed to the healed wound, thereby preventing or reducing scarring or improving the appearance of a scar.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition includes an additional active ingredient active in preventing or reducing scarring or improving the appearance of a scar.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said active ingredient comprises a topically active steroid, silicone gel, an enzyme, a vitamin or a mixture of two or more of said active ingredients.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said topically active steroid is a corticosteroid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said active ingredient comprises a mixture of a topically active steroid and a silicone gel.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the vitamin is Vitamin E.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said film-forming carrier comprises a cellulosic derivative.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said cellulosic derivative comprises nitrocellulose or methyl cellulose.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said film-forming carrier comprises a silicone resin.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said film-forming carrier comprises a silicone elastomer.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said film-forming carrier comprises a polyvinyl alcohol.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a gel or a rubber.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the film-forming carrier comprises nitrocellulose and the active ingredient comprises a mixture of a silicone gel, Vitamin E and hydrocortisone.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the enzyme comprises collagenase.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said healed wound comprises a hypertrophic scar.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said healed wound is formed after surgery.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said healed wound is formed after accidental trauma.