Keloids are defined as an irregular scar that expands beyond the boundary of the original site of a skin trauma. They are tough, rubbery lesions that can regularly grow to the size of golf balls if not properly treated. They are non-contagious and regularly accompanied by intense itchiness, sharp pains, and changes in texture. Anyone can form them but Hispanics and African Americans are more prone.
Keloids evolve when collagen overgrows in an injury site. Although they regularly occur at the site of an injury, they can also sprout spontaneously. It is not fully understood why or how they occur. There appears to be a genetic element to the scarring. It is known that if someone in your immediate family has keloids then you too are at risk. The lack of a clear cut theory as to why they develop show that there is still a way to go in their treatment.
A majority of the scars will flatten and become smaller over a period of a couple years but because of their ability of altering people's self confidence, people with keloids usually search for treatments that help reduce them as fast as possible. Since there is a lack of understanding, most treatments are ineffective. All invasive procedures like surgery carry a serious risk of the problem recurring and becoming more inflamed than it was before.
Each particular keloid scar treatment method provides unique results that vary from short term fixes to lasting removal methods. No treatments are guaranteed to heal or prevent this skin condition but proper treatment may reduce the marks and make them less noticeable.
Surgical removal demands great care during and after the procedure. A majority of the people who undergo surgical removal operations see the problem return in a few months time. Dermatologists are seeing posiive results if the operation is accompanied by steroid injections as an after care precaution.
Silicone sheets are becoming more and more accepted in the treatment of keloids since they are safe and uncomplicated. Moist silicone is applied directly overtop of the scars which helps flatten out the growths, making them less noticeable. This is a newer scar removal method so the medical establishment is still studying the effectiveness of it. For bigger growths, someone may have to apply silicone for up to 24 months in order to see meaningful improvements. If someone is burdened with a large one, they are going to search for a procedure that works a tad bit faster than 2 years.
Keloids can be so life altering that people are willing to try anything to see improvements. Cryosurgery is becoming more and more accepted. This freezing method with liquid nitrogen is repeated every 20 to 30 days to help reduce the size. The negative side is it can trigger hyperpigmentation. People who want to have their skin back to normal won't be content to trade the abnormal growths for spots of abnormal pigmentation.
All is not negative in the skin care market when discussing treatments. There is a new all natural cream that works with your own body to biologically reduce and ultimately remove keloid scars. There are no hazardous side effects associated with the cream nor is there a chance you can inflame your problem. With topical application, the biological ingredient will not only reduce existing damaged tissues but also prevent new ones from forming.
