Laser Treatment of Keloid Scars

Some skin conditions that people suffer from are due to environmental conditions and some are genetic. Environmental complications are cases that occur due to various factors, for example, wounds and burns that occur on the skin. When a part of the body is injured, the cells in that area grow rapidly to repair the wound by producing a lot of collagens. In this case, the tissue formed in that area becomes more colorful than the skin and is shiny and it also called scars. If the scar is prominent so that it rises above the edges of the wound and becomes extra fleshy, it is called Keloid.

Keloid scars are prominent at the site of the wound and gradually shrink in size over time, but are less likely to disappear completely, which is why Keloid healing is so important after wound healing. This is especially important for wounds that are more visible. Because Keloid is not harmful to health, but in terms of beauty, it has an unpleasant appearance that causes lack of self-confidence and anxiety of patients.

If Keloid tissue is growing more or you have other symptoms, you need to see a specialist. You can also surgically remove Keloid tissue by seeing your doctor. Keloid tissues are completely benign masses, but their uncontrolled growth can be a sign of skin cancer.

Among the various treatments for Keloid, laser treatment is one of the most up-to-date methods that accelerates the treatment process.

 

Symptoms of Keloid Scars

Keloid are caused by overgrowth of tissue at the wound. The following symptoms all occur on the previous wound or injury to the skin:

• An area of ​​skin that is inflamed, pink or red.
• Stretched skin that is usually slightly raised.
• Tissue growth at the wound site, which grows larger over time and extends beyond the wound.
• Keloid growth continues for several months and then stops.
• When the growth of Keloid stooped, its color gradually changes and becomes pale.
• Skin scaling and itching.

Keloidal scars are usually larger than the primary scars. Enlargement of the Keloid scar may take several weeks or months. Although Keloids are usually itchy, they do no harmful for health. Applying clothing to Keloidal tissue may cause any other abrasion, irritation, and itching. In very rare cases, Keloidal scars form in significant areas of the body, and in these cases, hard Keloidal tissues may interfere with the patient’s movements.

 

What causes the keloidal scars in the body?

The most important causes of this condition are scars, body wounds, surgical sutures, burns, and so on. Note that since the infection can aggravate this type of scar, the doctor should prescribe antibiotics after surgery or if the body is injured to prevent the infected tissue from becoming infected.

Most wounds and skin lesions can have Keloid:

• Acne and acne scar
• Burns
• Chickenpox
• Ear piercing
• Scratches
• Surgical incision
• Vaccination

 

According to one study, about 10% of people experience keloidal scar.

Men and women are equally prone to have keloidal scars.

People with darker skin tones are more prone to have keloid scar.

Other factors that increase the likelihood of having a keloidal scar include:

• Asian race
• Latin race
• Being pregnant
• Being under the age of 30

keloids can be related to genetic factors, so if one of your parents has this problem, you may also have the same problem. According to the studies, a gene called AHNAK can be effective in having this problem. The researchers found that people with the AHNAK gene were more likely to develop keloidal scars than others.

Treatment methods

Injections of corticosteroids and other drugs

Injection of the drug into the keloid tissue is often part of the treatment program. Drugs injected into colloidal tissue help to destroy and absorb this tissue. Patients usually have an injection into the keloid every 3 or 4 weeks and should continue to do so for a specified period of time. The first injection improves the patient’s symptoms and softens the keloid tissue. Between 50 and 80% of keloidal lesions gradually shrink after injection. Of course, many keloids start growing again after 5 years. To improve the results of this method, dermatologists usually combine this treatment with another treatment methods.

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy can reduce the amount of keloidal tissue protrusion and fade the keloid color. It is usually used in combination with other treatments, such as applying pressure instead of a wound or injecting corticosteroids.

 

Keloid Resection with Surgery

In this procedure, the Keloid tissue is cut and removed by a surgeon. To reduce the risk of Keloid recurrence after surgery, doctors use other methods of keloid treatment. Injecting corticosteroids into the wound and performing cryotherapy reduces the chance of keloid recurrence. If the colloid is on the eardrum, the use of pressure earrings is recommended, which prevents the keloid tissue from regrowing by applying pressure to the wound. Receiving radiation therapy after surgery is also effective in reducing the chance of keloid recurrence.

Push earrings, bandages or clothing (gun)

These products are often used after keloidal tissue surgery. Applying pressure to the keloid wound reduces blood flow, which prevents the keloid from returning. Between 90% and 100% of people who have used this method after keloid surgery as directed by their doctor have been able to prevent the return of keloid. Pressure earrings are one of the most comfortable devices that are prescribed after earlobe surgery.

Silicone sheets and gels

Silicone sheets and gels are used in combination with pressure to prevent keloidal tissue from returning. Silicone alone is sometimes used to smooth the keloid. In one of studies, 34% of prominent wounds healed somewhat after 6 months of daily use of silicone gel.

Cryotherapy

In this method, the keloidal tissue is frozen and the skin under the keloid remains intact. Cryotherapy is used to reduce the hardness and density of the keloid and reduce its size. Cryotherapy has the best effect on small keloidal tissues. Performing several sessions of cryotherapy before (or after) corticosteroid injection can reduce the size of the keloid and increase the effects of the drug injection. Doctors have found that performing more than three sessions of cryotherapy leads to the best treatment results.

Radiotherapy

Performing Radiation therapy after surgery to remove keloid can prevent the keloid to return back. Patients may start Radiation therapy immediately the day after or the week after surgery. Radiation therapy may be performed independently to reduce keloid size. However, Radiation therapy after keloidal surgery has better results.

Tie the keloid with thread

Your doctor may suggest that a suture be tied tightly around the keloidal tissue. The surgical suture gradually cuts the keloid and advances into its tissue until the keloidal tissue eventually separates and falls off. You may need to see a doctor every two or three weeks to have a new thread around the keloid.

Treatment results

Performing these treatments can reduce the size of keloidal tissue and improve symptoms such as pain and itching. In some cases, successful treatment results in complete keloidal tissue removal. keloidal tissue may regenerate even after a successful treatment. Following your doctor’s instructions will help you reduce the chance of keloid return as much as possible and get the best possible results from your treatment.