Keloid Injections

Why keloid injection?

Why Do Keloids Form?

Experts still don't fully understand the cause of keloid scars, but it is generally believed to be an abnormality in the wound healing process. Collagen, a protein found throughout the body, is beneficial for wound healing. However, an excess production of collagen can lead to the formation of keloids. The growth of keloids can be triggered by various types of skin injuries, including insect bites, acne, injections, piercings, burns, hair removal, as well as minor scratches and impacts. Sometimes, keloids develop without any clear reason. It's important to note that keloids are not contagious and not cancerous. Unlike hypertrophic scars, which stay within the boundaries of the original wound, keloids may spread over time if left untreated.

Symptoms of a Keloid Scar:

   A keloid scar may form within months to years of the inciting injury. Signs and symptoms might include:

• Thick, irregular scarring, typically on the earlobes, shoulders, cheeks or middle chest
• Shiny, hairless, lumpy, raised skin
• Varied size, depending on the size of the original injury and when the keloid stops growing
• Varied texture, from soft to firm and rubbery
• Reddish, brown or purplish, depending on your skin colour
• Itchiness
• Discomfort

Risk Factors for Keloids include:

• Having brown or Black skin. Keloids are most common in people with brown or Black skin. The reason for this predisposition is unknown.
• Having a personal or family history of keloids. Keloids can run in families, indicating that the tendency might be inherited. If you've had one keloid, you're at risk of developing others.
• Being under 30. You're more likely to develop a keloid if you're between the ages of 20 and 30.

How to Treat Keloids:

Early treatment can help minimise growth of a keloid. Talk with a doctor soon after you notice a keloid. If you want to treat one that you've had for a while, talk with a doctor who specialises in skin conditions.

Treatment of Keloids:

 Keloid scar treatments include the following. One or a combination of approaches might be best for your situation. Even after successful flattening or removal, keloids can grow back, sometimes bigger than before. Or you may develop new ones.

• Wound care: For newer keloids, the first treatment option might be compression dressings made from stretchy fabric or other materials. This method is also used after surgery to remove keloids. The goal is to reduce or prevent a scar by putting pressure on the wound as it heals. Such dressings need to be worn for 12 to 24 hours a day for 4 to 6 months to be effective. This method can be very uncomfortable.
• Corticosteroid cream: Applying a prescription strength corticosteroid cream can help ease itchiness.
• Injected medicine: If you have a smaller keloid, your doctor might try reducing its thickness by injecting it with cortisone or other steroids. You'll likely need monthly injections for up to six months before seeing the scar flatten. Possible side effects of corticosteroid injections are skin thinning, spider veins and a permanent change in skin colour (hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation).
• Freezing the scar: Small keloids might be reduced or removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Repeat treatments might be needed. Possible side effects of cryotherapy are blistering, pain and loss of skin colour (hypopigmentation).
• Laser treatment: Larger keloids can be flattened by pulsed-dye laser sessions. This method has also been useful in easing itchiness and causing keloids to fade. Pulsed-dye laser therapy is delivered over several sessions with 4 to 8 weeks between sessions. Your doctor might recommend combining laser therapy with cortisone injections. Possible side effects, which are more common in people with darker skin, include hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, blistering and crusting.
• Radiation therapy: Low-level X-ray radiation alone or after surgical removal of a keloid can help shrink or minimise the scar tissue. Repeat treatments might be needed. Possible side effects of radiation therapy are skin complications and, in the long term, cancer.‍
• Surgical removal: If your keloid hasn't responded to other therapies, your doctor might recommend removing it with surgery in combination with other methods. Surgery alone has a recurrence rate of 45% to 100%.

Treatment Areas

A keloid scar is a thick raised scar. It can occur wherever you have a skin injury but usually forms on earlobes, shoulders, cheeks or the chest. If you're prone to developing keloids, you might get them in more than one place.

How to Prevent Keloids

If you're prone to developing keloids, take these preventive self-care tips:

• Practise good wound care: Keep a wound clean and moist. Gently wash the area with mild soap and water. Apply a thin layer of petrolatum jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor) or other ointment. Reapply the ointment throughout the day as needed. Your doctor might recommend applying a pressure pad or a silicone gel pad to a wound while it's healing. Adults need to take these preventive steps for six months after skin injury, and children up to 18 months.
  Applying pressure earrings to your earlobes after an ear piercing helps prevent keloids.
• Protect your skin from injury: Try to avoid injuring your skin. Consider not getting body piercings, tattoos and elective surgeries. Even minor injuries such as ingrown hairs, cuts and scratches can incite a keloid to grow.If you decide to undergo surgery, talk with your doctor about your tendency to develop keloids. Your doctor can use surgical techniques that reduce the risk of developing keloids at the surgical site. After surgery, ask your doctor about postoperative care and follow the instructions carefully.

Ref https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/keloid-scar/symptoms-causes/syc-20520901

Keloid Injection at Skinserity Clinic

Services we offer include:Keloid Injection: 500 THB to treat raised scars.

What's the Best Way to Treat Keloids?

Almost everyone has experienced an incident that resulted in a raised scar on their skin. Keloids, or raised scars, are notoriously challenging to treat. For those seeking a solution for keloids, we provide effective treatments for raised scars.

What is a Keloid?

A keloid is a lump of tissue that forms over a wound, extending beyond the wound's original boundaries. Sometimes, individuals with keloids may experience pain or itching around the raised area of the scar. The formation of keloids is due to rapid and excessive growth and division of cells within the wound. Keloids are often found in areas with high skin tension, such as the earlobes, jawline, shoulders, chest, and arms.

Who is Prone to Developing Keloids?

In reality, anyone can develop keloids, but studies have shown that females are more prone to keloid formation than males. Additionally, keloids are most common among adolescents and young adults. People with dark skin are more susceptible to developing keloids, and these scars tend to be more severe compared to those in individuals with lighter skin tones.

Can Scars Really Be Healed?

Scars often impact our appearance more than our health, and the most common question is whether scars can truly be completely healed.

The formation of scars occurs in the deeper layers of the skin, below the epidermis or the outermost layer. In simple terms, if a wound is deep within the dermis, the scar tissue formed during the healing process may not be noticeable, creating flat scars. However, when scars penetrate deeper into the true skin layer, they may become raised or keloid scars.

Many people hope that modern medical technologies can erase raised or keloid scars. However, scars cannot be completely healed. They can be improved and reduced in size, but complete disappearance is not usually achievable.

Treatment for Keloid Scars

Treating keloid scars can be done through various methods:

1. Topical Medications: Using topical medications specifically designed to treat keloids is a popular method, especially for small and relatively new keloids.
2. Silicone Gel Sheets: Applying silicone gel sheets can help reduce the expansion of keloid scars. This method is commonly used for fresh keloids that haven't fully healed.
3. Steroid Injections: Injecting steroids directly into the keloid area can help shrink the scar. Multiple injections may be required for effective results.
4. Surgery: Surgical removal of the old keloid tissue followed by stitching up the wound is an option for certain types of keloids. This approach is suitable for well-established, stable keloids.
5. Combination of Methods: Combining various treatment methods often yields the best results. It's crucial to follow the doctor's instructions diligently and use a combination of treatments for the most effective outcome.‍

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Can Laser Treatment Reduce Raised Scars?

Is laser therapy effective for treating raised scars? Using lasers to remove keloid scars can be considered a treatment method aimed at expediting the healing process and improving the skin's texture, even for large and challenging scars. However, the results obtained will significantly depend on the condition of the wound and the individual's skin.

How Much Does Keloid Treatment Cost?

The cost of keloid treatment or the price of keloid injection can vary widely, starting from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the clinic and any ongoing promotions. However, regardless of the price, it is crucial to choose a clinic that provides clean, safe, and standardized services when opting for keloid treatment.