Treating keloid scar tissue is probably one of the most difficult scar types to treat. They have a high recurrence rate which limits your surgical options. Also, some people experience the type of keloids that just keeping growing.

Fortunately, there are a few treatment options available for people who suffer from small and larger keloid scars. Scar treatment, as with all types of scars, will depend on the size and location of the lesion. Also keep in mind that some people have a tendency to produce keloid scars.

What Exactly Is a Keloid Scar?

Keloids, keloid scar or keloidal scarring all refer to the same thing. To say that a keloid is a scar is a bit misguided. Keloids are actually benign fibrotic tumors that are characterized by excessive amounts of collagen, elastin and proteoglycans - all of which make up normal skin tissue.

Keloids can be small or quite extensive. The severity of this type of skin problem is determined by the its size and location. For example, keloids that form over joints can cause mobility problems as well as pain.

Options for Keloid Scar Treatment

Keloid treatment used on minor scars usually consists of compression therapy and intralesional corticosteroid injections. Some people prefer to treat their lesions with surgery, however, this may not be a good idea when treating smaller lesions because of the high recurrence rate common in keloid formation.

Compression therapy may be done with silicone bandages or compression garments. Compression garments are custom fitted and can be worn permanently for several months or a year depending on the size of the keloid.

The pulsed-dye laser is used to reduce redness and flatten keloids. This type of treatment is safe and not very painful, however, you'll have to undergo several treatment sessions before seeing results. These may be costly, since such treatments are not generally covered by insurance plans.

Surgery is generally the best option for larger keloids as these may restrict movement and cause pain or discomfort. This type of keloid removal can also give doctors the possibility to monitor and control any new keloid formation. However, before submitting yourself to surgical keloid scar removal, there are several things that need to be done.

Before surgery, the doctor may use corticosteroid injections to treat the keloid. Depending on how the keloid responds to the injection will be the determinant of whether or not the keloid needs to be removed surgically.

During surgery, steroid injection may also be used as a way of controlling the development of a new keloid. Injections may also be applied after surgery along with compression therapy to help keep a new keloid from forming.

Other common treatment options, both alternative and complementary, may include radiation, interferon injections, and fluorouracil injections. These treatments have shown positive results in both treating and preventing keloid formation.