Keloid scarring is a common condition that affects many people, especially those with darker skin tones. Many see it as an inevitable part of life, but as with so many skin conditions, it is highly manageable.
Prevention Is Key
Obviously, prevention is key. Keloid scars form when stubborn tissue overgrows an injury, leaving behind a scar that envelops the original wound.
Keloid scarring usually runs in families. Those with darker skin tones and parents with the condition are much more likely to develop it themselves.
If you receive an injury that might lead to a keloid, wash it immediately with soap and water. Preventing bacterial infection can sometimes mitigate the inflammatory response.
Afterward, moisturize. Adding extra moisture to the area can keep it hydrated and reduce the risk of generating tension.
Use Over-The-Counter Options
Next, you could explore using over-the-counter options for keloids. These usually work in the early stages.
For example, you could start with retinoid creams. These are vitamin A derivatives and are highly effective at reducing the appearance of some scars.
You could also use onion gel. Yes, it’s a bit gross, but it can be a good way to reduce scar tissue pigmentation and overall formation.
Home remedies also sometimes include honey. Honey contains factors that can benefit the skin, so it’s worth exploring.
Cosmetic Treatments
Various cosmetic treatments are also available for keloid treatment. These are available from clinics, like Elan Skin & Laser.
For example, laser therapy is sometimes useful for keloid scarring. It works by fading the scars over time, perhaps over 12 months, across multiple treatments.
Cryotherapy is another option. It freezes keloids to reduce their overall size and works well when paired with other steroids.
Surgical removal is a last resort option but could be handy in some cases. These products remove the original keloid, including the root, preventing it from coming back.
Additional Options
Some people opt for advanced options to deal with keloid scarring if the preceding doesn’t work. Some of these methods are experimental, so whether they will work for everyone is still a question being researched.
For example, some people are using radiation treatment post-surgery. These involve using low-dose radiation to prevent regrowth. However, this approach isn’t used often because of cancer risk.
Silicone dressings are another post-surgery option. These seem to facilitate better overall healing.
Then, there are some chemo-drug injections. But again, this goes beyond the cosmetic and is only something worth trying under the supervision of a qualified doctor who understands the process.
Lifestyle Tweaks
Finally, you can sometimes manage keloid scarring with lifestyle tweaks. These increase the chance of recovery, though they don’t guarantee it.
It’s worth starting with no picking at keloids. This can make the scarring worse.
It also helps to add better nutrition to your diet. Certain fatty foods, like nuts and seeds, can work better, and antioxidant greens and berries support skin repair.
Remember to be patient: the skin can take a long time to heal.
