How Can I Remove a Keloid?
Keloids are a type of overgrown scar that can be caused by any type of skin trauma or laceration, including burns, surgical incisions, tattoos, piercings, chickenpox, and acne. Keloids, also called hypertrophic scars, are more common in younger women and African Americans, according to the National Institutes of Health. Removal of a keloid may be done for cosmetic reasons or when the scar causes pain or discomfort. Treatment to remove a keloid depends on the location of the scar as well as the amount of discomfort the patient is experiencing.
Instructions
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Get corticosteroid injections directly into the keloid to flatten it and make it less noticeable. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology states that steroid injections are generally given once a month for several months. The injections will shrink the keloid and may eliminate the scar in some cases.
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Wear compression dressings for 3 months to one year to flatten the keloid. Dressings must be replaced weekly. This method of keloid removal is time-consuming.
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Try injections of bleomycin, interferon, or 5-fluorouracil medications to block keloid formation and minimize the appearance of existing keloids. When injected immediately after the removal of a keloid, interferon can greatly decrease the likelihood of keloid recurrence in the same area.
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Undergo cryotherapy if your keloid is small. Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the keloid tissue, causing it to die and fall off the body.
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Consider laser treatments to reduce the appearance of a keloid and to improve the surrounding skin texture. Laser treatments are effective at removing keloids for some people, but, in most cases, part of the scar will remain after treatment.
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Ask your doctor if your keloid can be surgically removed. Depending on the location of your keloid, your doctor may be able to surgically cut away the keloid. A radiation treatment may follow surgery, as this improves the outcome for many people.
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Tips & Warnings
In some cases, a keloid will be biopsied following removal to rule out tumors or other skin conditions. You can help prevent a keloid from occurring or reforming by keeping the area moisturized, massaging the area, and wearing compression garments.
Over-the-counter silicone pads and creams can reduce the itching and pain associated with keloids, but they are not very effective at removing the scar tissue.
