How can you make keloid scars go away?

Question

I have keloid scars that have been there for over five years and they've just started to bother me. How can I make them go awary or become less noticable without surgery?

Answer 1

Once the scar has formed, treatment options include surgery, steroid injections, pressure therapy and more recently laser therapy. Silicon gel sheeting may help reduce the elevation of the Keloid.
Keloids may grow flatter over time without treatment, but do not usually disappear completely. When patients with a tendency to form Keloids consider surgery, it is important that precautions are taken to minimise more trauma to the skin and further Keloid formation.

Vits/mins/herbs
- Vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium and the amino acid glutamine are classed as antioxidant nutrients. Low levels of antioxidants play a significant role in delaying wound healing. Supplementing with these nutrients may help to improve recovery time and discourage the development of Keloid Scars.
- Vitamin E may be the most important nutrient to consider for Keloid Scars. Vitamin E, when taken internally and applied externally helps to improve the appearance of Keloid Scars.
- Bioflavonoids are derived from citrus fruits. Studies show that these nutrients help to accelerate the healing of wounds.
- Carnitine is an amino acid which may help to improve the healing of wounds and prevent Keloid Scars.
- Manganese, magnesium and vitamin B5 are nutrients that play a role in wound healing. These supplements may help to prevent the formation of Keloid Scars.
- Zinc is a mineral which is important for the immune system and for wound healing. This mineral can be taken internally and applied externally to Keloid Scars in the form of a cream or tape.

* Kelo-cote® is a patented topical silicone gel for the management and prevention of abnormal scars in the form of hypertrophic scars and keloids.

Silicone is the clinical gold standard for scar treatment and scar prevention having demonstrated clinical efficacy over all other forms of topical treatments and is recommended by the “International Advisory Panel on Scar Management” as the first line therapy for these types of scars.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Surgical treatment of keloid scars
This is the most effective and the least complex of the available forms of treatment, the recurrence rate however is thought to be about 50%.
Lasers have been tried as an alternative to knife surgery but so far the outcomes are no better.

Non surgical treatments for keloid scars
Interferon therapy (drugs acting on the immune system), has been reported as effective in reducing keloid scarring however it does have significant side effects. Examples are toxicity, flu like symptoms, depression, nausea and vomiting.
Prolonged compression of scar tissue can theoretically soften and break up keloid scars, however the practicality of this option depends on the location of the keloid. Other non-surgical interventions that are currently being tried with varying results include antihistamines, vitamins, nitrogen mustard, Verapamil, retinoic acids.
Combined treatments for keloid scarring
One option involves surgical removal of scar tissue in combination with a couple of steroid injections -one at the time of the surgery and the second injection about 3 to 4 weeks later. However, this type of treatment is variously reported as having between a 50% to 70% rate of recurrence.

Another option combines surgery with external type radiotherapy. Radiation has the effect of interfering with skin growth (fibroblasts) and collagen production. Research varies on which type of combination therapy is the more effective. Both radiotherapy and steroid drugs have side effects so you need to discuss with your doctor the most effective. It may be worth getting a second opinion before proceeding with either treatment.

Answer 4

The best thing to do is see a dermatologist or plastic surgeon and inquire about a cortisone or Kenalog injection into the scar. With several treatments, I've seen them get smaller and sometimes disappear. The medication helps to flatten the scar.

Answer 5

You can go to a dermatologist, or a cosmetic surgeon. They can shrink the scar using cortisone injections. Also they CAN reduce them with surgery, but the injections are your best bet, they're just a simple outpatient thing

Answer 6

ke·loid also che·loid (kē'loid')
n.
A red, raised formation of fibrous scar tissue caused by excessive tissue repair in response to trauma or surgical incision.

[French kéloïde : Greek khēlē, claw + French -oïde, resembling (from Greek -oeidēs; see –oid).]