Burn Injury Resource Center
There is no treatment that can cure and remove keloid scars 100 percent. Patients who have family history of keloid scar or previous history of keloid scar have high possibility of keloid recurrence more then others. Keloid scar may be treated by one or more of the following methods:
Surgery:
It may be the most effective way to remove large keloids. Surgery can be used by itself or with other treatment methods to decrease the possibility of recurrence as there is a possibility of keloid recurrerence an example is using surgery and steriod injection into the keloid scar or using surgery and other treatment methods to decrease recurrence rate.
Laser therapy:
Laser treatment is healpfull when the keloid scar is thin as the laser bean works on the surface of the keloid scar, it’s less effective when the keloid scar is thick. Your physician will discuss with you the best method of treatment of your keloid.
Cryosurgery therapy:
Cryosurgery which is freezing of the keloid scar is usually used for small scars only as it causes freezing of the scar and as a result blanching of the skin underneath the scar.
Radiation therapy:
Radiation therapy can be used alone as a treatment method but is more effective within 7 days of after surgical keloid removal.The risk of developing cancer from radiation is small as the radiation device used for this treatment emits smalllow radiation dose.
Creams, Pasts and Gels:
Creams, Gels and Pasts are most effective when the keloid scar is newly formed but still its effectivenes is limited even with newly formed keloid scars.
Silicone sheets:
Silicone sheets can be taped on to the keloid scar. You need to wear the sheets constantly for several weeks or several months.
As keloid scars differ in shape, size and causation from one person to another, the response to treatment also differ among different individuals therefore what might work for one person may not work for you and vise versa.
The combination of two or more treatment methods is usually more effective than using one method by itself and the recurrence is less when combining two or more methods together.
This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.