1. How Keloids Form
A keloid growth is a tumor that comes from scar tissue overgrowth, often occurring on the shoulders, arms and sternum. The tissue is too zealous in its growth and continues even after the area fills in with tissue. It is a larger growth than the more common hypertrophic scar. Why they occur is a mystery, but keloids occur in 10 percent of the population. Indiviudals with darker complexion are more prone to developing keloids. They can get extremely large and become irritated by brushing against clothing. Keloids frequently develop a darker color than the skin tone when exposed to the sun. A pressure dressing often helps prevent them but doesn't treat those already developed.
2. You Can't Just Remove Keloids
Since keloids come from overgrowth of tissue, logic says cut the tissue out. The problem arises when that tissue heals. The keloid starts all over and becomes even bigger. To remove keloids, you need to combine treatments.
3. Try Cortisone
Cortisone is one treatment that is effective on many keloids. The area of the keloid receives a monthly injection. After the injections for several months, the keloid begins to reduce in size and flatten, making it less noticeable. Usually the treatment takes three to six months. Another type of injection into the area is Interferon. Interferon injected into the reduces the size of the keloid. This injection follows surgery and about a week or two later followed by a second one. The size and elevation of the keloid shows about a 50 percent shrinkage.
4. Radiation and Lasers
Radiation is another way to reduce keloids. This method usually works best when it's combined with surgery. However, radiation alone links to malignancy in later years and isn't that effective. Laser treatment is another method you can get for keloids. It also has a high incidence of reoccurrence, but is precise and treats only the area affected.
5. Freeze Frame
Even though there is some pain with keloid cryotherapy, which is freezing the keloid with liquid nitrogen, it proves to be quite effective. Reoccurrence is less than 50 percent but there is some depigmentation in addition to the pain. The treatments last for 10 to 30 seconds and repeated every 20 to 30 days. You'll usually need to complete one to three cycles to thoroughly reduce the appearance of keloids. When you combine cryotherapy with steroids, the results are even better.
