Keloids
Keloid is a term used to describe excessive scarring which goes beyond original site of injury or surgical scar.
Keloid Treatment:
Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that extend beyond the boundaries of an initial wound. While non-invasive treatments may help in some cases, keloids that reach a significant size often require surgical intervention for optimal results. Selecting the right treatment approach is essential to minimize recurrence and improve patient outcomes.
Treatment Approaches for Keloids
Surgical Excision
When keloids grow excessively large, surgical removal is often the most effective treatment. Surgery can significantly reduce bulk and restore a more natural skin contour. However, keloids have a high recurrence rate if treated with surgery alone, with studies indicating a recurrence risk of 50-80%.
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Surgery Combined with Corticosteroid Injections
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To improve outcomes, surgical excision is often followed by corticosteroid injections. These injections help suppress excessive collagen production and reduce inflammation. This combination reduces the recurrence rate to approximately 20-30%.
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Surgery with Radiotherapy
For the best long-term results, surgical excision followed by superficial radiation therapy is considered the gold standard for large keloids. Radiation therapy helps inhibit fibroblast activity, reducing the risk of regrowth. The recurrence rate with this approach is significantly lower, ranging from 5-10%.
Other Non-Surgical Treatment Options
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Corticosteroid Injections: Used as a primary treatment for small keloids, but recurrence is common if used alone.
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Cryotherapy: Effective for flattening smaller keloids but may not work on larger ones.
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Laser Therapy: Helps with redness and texture but does not prevent recurrence.
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Silicone Gel or Sheets: Best used as a preventive measure on new scars.
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Pressure Therapy: Can be beneficial post-surgery to reduce recurrence risk.
Preventing Keloid Recurrence
Prevention is key, especially for individuals prone to keloids. If surgery is performed, combining it with adjunct therapies such as corticosteroid injections, radiation, silicone gel sheets, and pressure therapy can dramatically reduce recurrence rates. Silicone gel sheets help flatten scars and improve their texture, while pressure therapy is particularly beneficial in areas like the earlobes, where consistent compression can reduce keloid formation. Patients should also avoid unnecessary skin trauma and follow post-treatment guidelines carefully.
