Introduction

Silicon is a nutrient found in whole grains, root vegetables, and beer. It has been used to strengthen hair and nails. Silicon has also been used to improve symptoms of dementia and disease pain in the joints. Silicon can be taken as a pill. Silicon can also be applied to the skin as a cream or gel. It has been used to help promote healing and ease swelling in skin problems, such as burns and scars.

Dosages

10 to 30 milligrams daily

What Research Shows

May Be Effective

  • Burns —may have better healing outcomes than standard care A1

Not Enough Data to Assess

  • Keloid scarring B1

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Safety Notes

It is likely safe to use silicon on the skin and to take it orally in small doses for a short time. Not enough studies have been done to say whether it is safe to use for a long period. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take high amounts of silicon.

Interactions

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.

 

References

A. Burns

A1. Wasiak J, Cleland H, et al. Dressings for superficial and partial thickness burns. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Mar 28;(3):CD002106.

B. Keloid Scarring

B1. O’Brien L, Pandit A. Silicon gel sheeting for preventing hypertrophic and keloid scars. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2006;(1):CD003826.

Last reviewed July 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC