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Keloid Scars

Your body’s natural reaction to pokes, cuts, and trauma to your skin is to heal. On most occasions, skin injuries heal up without any problems.
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What are keloid scars?

Your body’s natural reaction to pokes, cuts, and trauma to your skin is to heal. On most occasions, skin injuries heal up without any problems. However, in some cases, these minor injuries can cause unsightly, painful, and somehow itchy scarring.

Fortunately, most scars get smaller and ultimately fade with time – but for some people, the skin can somehow overreact to the injury, resulting in the formation of scars that are relatively thicker compared to the initial wound.
These are known as keloid scars.
Keloid scars that are fairly irregular and thick rarely disappear on their own; removal warrants treatment.

How do you identify a keloid scar?

  • Large and raised
  • Skin-colored, red, pink, or even darker compared to adjacent skin areas
  • Tend to feel fairly smooth and firm
  • Hairless
  • Can continue to grow even for years, usually extending from the initial skin damage’s edges
  • Most likely to develop in your neck, earlobes, lower legs, upper chest, shoulders as well as chin

Keloids are usually diagnosed during a normal clinical examination.

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How do you get rid of keloids Singapore?

Unfortunately, the treatment of keloids can be quite difficult. There is no magic pill or ointment that can easily and safely eliminate them.

Note: Your keloid scars might return even after successful treatment.

However, this does not mean that you should avoid keloid treatment entirely, especially if your keloids bother you.
At your consultation, you’ll likely be asked some important questions, including:

  • Are you looking to alleviate common keloid symptoms such as pain and itching?
  • If there is a keloid in your ears, are you still looking to put on an earring?
  • Are you looking to flatten or soften your keloids?

Answers to these questions will not only allow us to provide the best mode of treatment that meet your needs, but also help you manage your expectations in terms of results.

Based on the severity of your keloid scarring and your expectations, our doctors will recommend one or a combination of the following:

Corticosteroids and other medications
  • Directly injected into your keloid scarring
  • Works to constrict the blood vessels and minimize inflammation to help alleviate itchiness, swelling, and tenderness
  • Frequency: Once every 3-4 weeks
  • 50-80% of keloid scars will diminish with corticosteroid injections
  • Significant keloid recurrence within five years is also very common
Cryotherapy
  • Involves freezing the keloid scarring from the inside out
  • Generally suitable for small keloids
  • Recommended to undergo this type of treatment either before or after getting corticosteroid injections
  • Helps boost the efficacy of corticosteroid treatment
Silicon gels and sheets
  • Silicone-based treatments that work by flattening and minimizing the size and the color of your keloid scarring
  • At least 34% of your keloids will disappear after using silicone gels for more than six months
Keloid Surgery
  • Surgically eliminates the keloid
  • Nearly 100% of keloids will recur with surgical treatment
  • Often combined with other types of keloid treatment

It’s important to note that treatment takes time and will often involve your doctor trying various treatment techniques or a combination of treatments. Our healthcare professionals always recommend and subsequently prescribe a combination of at least two modes of treatment, ensuring our patients get the best possible results.

FAQ

Are keloid scars dangerous?

Generally, keloid scars develop due to burn injuries, acne scars, surgical scars as well as infected wounds. They are not contagious; benign and noncancerous. Sometimes, however, a keloid will resemble a skin growth – your doctor will conduct a skin biopsy as part of your diagnosis requirement. A skin biopsy is a simple test that involves the removal of a sample of your skin and observing that sample under a microscope.

How do scars develop?
A scar will develop when there is damage to the deep, thick layer of your skin. Your body then reacts by forming newer collagen fibers to rectify the damage. The newly developed scar tissue will be different from the surrounding body tissues in terms of both quality and texture. It’s imperative to note that the formation of a scar will only take place after a wound has healed completely.
How can you prevent keloids?

Research reveals that those who have had keloids before, or have a family history of keloids have a greater risk of developing them. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to minimize your chances of developing a keloid scar, including:

  • Always keep your skin injuries tidy and clean.
  • Avoid self-inflicted injuries such as tattooing, surgeries, and piercings, among others.
  • Don’t shave or cut hair close to the skin.
Are there any complications associated with keloids?
Keloid scars generally don’t pose any serious threat to health. And most often, you won’t need to treat them. However, bearing in mind that keloids are often visible and unsightly, they may impact your self-esteem and treatment can help address this.
Is keloid treatment painful?
No. Keloid treatments are generally not painful and are well tolerated by most patients. With injection or laser treatments, your doctor will apply a numbing cream to the area to reduce any discomfort.

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