What Should You Know About Keloid Treatment Methods?
Keloid Treatment in Dubai
Keloids are a type of raised scar that forms when the body overproduces collagen during the healing process. Unlike regular scars, keloids can continue to grow beyond the wound’s original boundaries and often cause discomfort, itching, and emotional distress. While keloids are not harmful to your overall health, they can be challenging to treat and often require specialized treatment methods. Understanding the different Keloid Treatment in Dubai options available can help you make informed decisions about managing or reducing the appearance and symptoms of keloids.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections are one of the most widely used treatments for reducing the size and appearance of keloids. These injections contain corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory drugs that help to flatten the keloid, reduce inflammation, and inhibit further collagen production.
What to Know:
Effectiveness: Multiple sessions are often needed to see significant results. In some cases, corticosteroid injections can completely flatten the keloid.
Side Effects: While effective, they may cause temporary skin thinning or discoloration. Rarely, corticosteroids can lead to skin atrophy or permanent discoloration.
Pain Management: The injections may be slightly uncomfortable, but topical numbing agents can help minimize discomfort.
Silicone Gel Sheets or Gel
Silicone-based treatments, such as silicone gel sheets and silicone gels, are commonly used to treat keloids. These products are applied directly to the affected area and help to reduce the size and appearance of keloids by providing gentle pressure and hydration.
What to Know:
Usage: Silicone sheets should be worn for a prolonged period, typically for several months, to achieve noticeable results.
Effectiveness: This non-invasive treatment helps to soften and flatten the keloid while preventing further collagen production.
Benefits: Silicone therapy is generally safe with minimal side effects and can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as corticosteroid injections.
Cryotherapy (Freezing Therapy)
Cryotherapy involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the keloid, causing the tissue to shrink and eventually fall off. This treatment is commonly used for smaller keloids and is often combined with other therapies for better results.
What to Know:
Effectiveness: Cryotherapy can reduce the size and symptoms of keloids, but it often requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired results.
Pain: The procedure may cause a brief stinging sensation, but the area is typically numbed beforehand to minimize discomfort.
Risks: There’s a potential for pigment changes, especially in darker skin tones, and the keloid could return if the treatment isn't fully effective.
Laser Therapy
Laser treatment is a non-invasive procedure that uses focused light energy to target the blood vessels within the keloid. The heat from the laser can reduce redness, flatten the scar, and promote the formation of new, healthier skin tissue.
What to Know:
Effectiveness: Laser therapy is effective for reducing redness and swelling and can improve the overall appearance of the keloid. However, it may not entirely eliminate the keloid.
Pain and Recovery: Most patients experience minimal pain, though the treated area may be red or swollen for a few hours after the procedure.
Multiple Sessions: Multiple treatments may be necessary to achieve optimal results.
Surgical Removal
For larger or more persistent keloids, surgical removal may be considered. During this procedure, the keloid is excised, and the wound is sutured closed. However, surgery alone does not guarantee the keloid will not return, so other treatments may be used in combination.
What to Know:
Risk of Recurrence: Keloids often recur after surgery, sometimes even larger than before. To prevent this, surgical removal is often combined with corticosteroid injections, pressure therapy, or radiation therapy.
Recovery: Surgical removal requires a recovery period, and there may be some pain, swelling, or discomfort during the healing process.
Consultation: It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to determine if surgery is the right choice, especially since it carries a higher risk of recurrence compared to non-invasive treatments.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a targeted treatment that uses low doses of radiation to shrink and prevent the recurrence of keloids after surgical removal. It is often used when other treatments have not been effective or when the keloid is particularly large or difficult to treat.
What to Know:
Effectiveness: Radiation is most effective when used after surgery, as it reduces the risk of the keloid returning. It may also help reduce the size and appearance of existing keloids.
Risks: There are potential side effects of radiation, including the risk of skin changes, tissue damage, or an increased risk of developing cancer, so it is typically only considered when other treatments have failed.
Timing: Radiation therapy is usually administered shortly after surgery to prevent the keloid from reforming.
Pressure Therapy
Pressure therapy involves applying continuous pressure to the keloid using specially designed garments or dressings. This method is often used after surgery or injury to prevent new keloids from forming or to help existing keloids flatten.
What to Know:
Effectiveness: The constant pressure reduces the tension on the keloid and helps to flatten and soften the tissue over time. It can also improve the appearance of scars that are already present.
Comfort: Pressure garments can be worn for extended periods, but they may cause discomfort if worn for too long. The pressure should be consistent, but not too tight.
Duration: Treatment typically takes several months, and patients must commit to wearing the pressure garment for most of the day, sometimes for up to 12–24 months, for optimal results.
Intralesional Interferon Therapy
Interferon therapy involves injecting interferon, a type of protein, into the keloid. This therapy helps to reduce collagen production and promotes the breakdown of scar tissue, resulting in a reduction in the size of the keloid.
What to Know:
Effectiveness: This therapy can be helpful for larger keloids that have not responded to other treatments, although its success rate may vary.
Side Effects: Side effects may include flu-like symptoms, fatigue, or irritation at the injection site.
Combination Therapy: Interferon injections are often used in combination with other treatments like corticosteroids or laser therapy for better results.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that naturally occurs in the body and helps to maintain moisture in the skin. Injections of hyaluronic acid may be used to treat keloids by moisturizing the area, promoting the breakdown of scar tissue, and encouraging new tissue formation.
What to Know:
Effectiveness: Hyaluronic acid is still under research for its use in keloid treatment, but some studies suggest it may help to soften keloid tissue and reduce redness.
Risks: There are few risks associated with this treatment, but it may not be as effective as other options, especially for more severe keloids.
Conclusion
Keloid treatment methods vary widely depending on the size, location, and severity of the scar. Non-invasive treatments like corticosteroid injections, silicone sheets, cryotherapy, and laser therapy offer effective options with minimal downtime. However, in more severe cases, surgical removal or radiation therapy may be necessary to reduce the size of the keloid and prevent recurrence. The best approach to treating keloids often involves a combination of therapies tailored to the individual’s needs. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate treatment for your specific case, especially since keloids are prone to recurrence.