Keloid removal

Keloid removal

Nowadays, it is virtually impossible to go through life without having some sort of surgical procedure, even if that procedure is a simple ear piercing or a tattoo and, thus, nothing fancy or medical in nature. One of the most undesired consequences of these types of procedures is the sudden appearance of keloids. In popular terms, a keloid is a scar. Unfortunately, it is a scar that will not heal, it will not fade and, even more bothersome, it will extend beyond any imagination, making the keloid removal a necessity. Some people might argue that scar removal is only a thing of vanity, but keloid sufferers will argue their point extensively, presenting evidence that spans from the plain to the horrible.

Having said all that, let us talk about keloids for a moment. After all, prevention measures are even more important then whatever treatment one might apply for the destruction of the pesky scars. Here is the thing: if your family does not have a history of keloids, it is practically impossible to determine if you will ever suffer from them. Unfortunately, the scars can develop just as well from some sort of post – surgery normal scaring, but also from a bout of untreated acne or the sudden appearance of a wart. The only prevention tip that anyone can offer is the following: if you have suffered from keloids before, try to avoid further body modifications that involve sharp objects and drawn blood.

Why do people actually want to undergo keloids removal therapy? Well, the answer is pretty simple: to improve the quality of their life, in most cases. These scars can appear virtually anywhere on the body, but they tend to prefer very visible areas like the neck, the ears or the face. If the sufferer has extensive tattoos or body piercing, the keloids removal treatment will begin from that area of the body, since the keloids are concentrated there. These scars will start to fade and the skin in that zone will lose its color, practically destroying the tattoo.

If the guilty party is pierced, there is a chance that the removal of the piercing and, afterwards, the treatment of the keloid will help to keep the scaring to a minimum and to ensure that the keloid will not appear again. However, all of these problems are aesthetical and none seem to necessitate any sort of treatment that is not cosmetic in nature. The other side of the problem comes from the itching and the pain that the sufferers endure. The itching is easily treated with a cream, applied locally, five or six times a day. Unfortunately, the pain does not go away with painkillers or with anything else, since the scar tissue seems to have pain receptors that do not respond to classic painkillers. Therefore, the only option that remains valid is complete keloid removal.

The most common types of keloid removal therapy are the following ones:

• Cortisone injections: these injections are considered double – edged swords. On the one hand, cortisone and its derivates are known for their anti – inflammatory properties, thus making them the perfect compounds to treat inflamed scars. They are considered much safer then any other types of keloid treatment, since the injections are local and only about 0.2% of the total amount of cortisone enters the bloodstream. The treatment lasts from a couple of months to three years, at a rate of one injection per month, since it is best to allow the body to process the extra cortisone. Basically, the cortisone will help flatten the scar, making it less red and, of course, less noticeable. So, where is the problem? If the steroid doses are too large or if the steroids are combined with other drugs, they could work somewhat differently: they can dilate the tiny blood vessels that surround and feed the keloid scar. If those vessels enlarge, the scar tissue will turn even redder than before, making the keloid stand out even more. Fortunately, these side – effects disappear after a couple of weeks.
• Surgery: this one might seem a tad contradictory. After all, keloids are known to form on the scar tissue that results from surgery. The risk is very much real: if the patient agrees to undergo such procedure, he or she must be aware that the removed keloid can and, probably, will return with a vengeance and it will be bigger and much harder to eliminate than before. In recent years, surgeons have developed post – surgical methods to stop that from happening, involving pressure bandages, local cortisone injections and even, in extreme cases, radiation therapy.
• Laser: only one type of laser light is used, the pulsating one. See, the principle of the treatment is simple: the pulsating light launches little particles at an amazing speed towards the keloid, flattening by sheer force of impact. Usually, this type of treatment is known for its efficiency, but also for its price. Insurance companies do not cover laser therapy.
• Silicone sheets: actually, any type of compression material will work just as fine. The idea is not innovative and it does not work as well as some might believe: the physicians recommend wearing these compression garments on the affected areas, for a couple of hours, every day for months and, in some cases, even years. The process is complicated and uncomfortable.
• Cryotherapy: might sound a bit like belonging to science fiction therapy, but it works like a charm. The freezing agent is liquid nitrogen and, after applying it, the keloids shatter like glass. The downside comes in the form of a darkened spot that remains in the place of the keloid.
• Interferon: these naturally – produced proteins are immunity agents. Basically, they help the body fight off bacteria, viruses and all sorts of pathogen agents. Recent studies have shown a decrease in the size of the keloid scars, especially those that are placed in the ear area, but it is not clear if the reduction is permanent or not.
• Fluorouracil: this is a chemotherapy agent, used only in combination with steroids.
• Radiation: its effects are still being researched and the treatment is not available for the general public.