Clinical effects of transparent facial pressure masks: A literature review.

BACKGROUND: Severe facial hypertrophic scars are known to severely impact emotional well-being. Pressure therapy by means of transparent face masks has been used for almost 40 years, but evidence about the clinical effects remains sparse. OBJECTIVES: To provide a summary on the efficacy of transparent face masks in the treatment of facial hypertrophic scars. METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases through 1 January 2018. Articles describing the clinical effects of facial pressure therapy for remodeling the face after trauma or surgery with a validated tool were included. This review included studies of participants treated with facial hypertrophic scars, both minors and adults. RESULTS: Three articles involving 33 patients were selected for inclusion. Two studies described statistically significant improvement in facial scars measured by durometer, ultrasound, and the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). CONCLUSIONS: Facial pressure masks have been shown to deliver significant improvement in facial scars, measured by both subjective and objective tools. However, only three studies could be included in this literature review. Also, because of considerable limitations of the studies, it remains difficult to draw substantial conclusions about the efficacy of transparent face masks. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This literature review provides a summary of the current evidence on the subjectively and objectively measured clinical effects of transparent face masks in the treatment of facial scars, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.

Manual fabrication of a specialized transparent facial pressure mask: A technical note.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The objective of this study was to describe the manual fabrication of a transparent facial pressure mask for treating facial deformities. The mask combines the use of a silicone inner liner and mechanical pressure in the facial region. TECHNIQUE: A negative mold is formed by covering the face with plaster. Manipulation of soft tissue is a crucial part in this process. After hardening and removal of the negative mold, the positive mold is formed and dried. Next a rolled silicone sheet is placed over the positive mold in a vacuum environment. Subsequently, the silicones are vulcanized. Then the rigid outside of the mask is created. The silicone inner liner and outside shell are then affixed. DISCUSSION: This described technique results in accurate facemasks with precise fitting. During therapy, the mask is adjusted multiple times to keep excellent fit, as remodeling of scars and deformities takes place. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Facemasks are a reputable therapeutic modality to reduce excessive facial scarring. They require excellent fitting to give pleasing results. To provide a better understanding of facemask therapy, this study describes the manual fabrication technique.

A new treatment for reliable functional and esthetic outcome after local facial flap reconstruction: a transparent polycarbonate facial mask with silicone sheeting.

BACKGROUND: Facial flap surgery predominantly leads to good functional results. However, in some cases, it can cause unsatisfactory esthetic results. They include persistent erythema, pincushioning, and development of hypertrophic scars. Conservative, reliable treatment for facial flaps is lacking. Pressure and silicone therapy have proven to result in significant improvement in scar erythema, pliability, and thickness in postburn hypertrophic scars. By combining these therapies in a facial mask, the esthetic outcome of facial flaps could be improved. In this retrospective study, the efficacy of a unique transparent face mask containing silicone sheets on the esthetic outcome of postsurgical facial flaps is assessed. METHODS: Twenty-one patients were assigned to facial pressure mask therapy after they underwent facial flap surgery between July 2012 and September 2015. Patients were treated for a mean duration of 46 weeks. The effects of pressure mask therapy were examined by means of the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS). RESULTS: All POSAS components showed a reduction between start and end of therapy, while itchiness, pigmentation, pliability, thickness, and relief of the flap improved significantly (P < 0.05). Mean total and patient score showed significant reduction between start and end of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a facial pressure mask layered with silicone results in noticeable flap improvement with a long-lasting result. Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study.