Scars and Kelloids

Keloids can be a source of discomfort, itchiness, or pain, prompting those affected to seek suitable treatment options. Additionally, when these raised scar tissues form over joints like the shoulder, they may hinder movement and cause further inconvenience. Beyond the physical aspects, many individuals also express dissatisfaction with the appearance of keloids.

What are Keloids?

How is it diagnosed?

Diagnosing a keloid is typically done by visual examination, and a skilled dermatologist can identify it through this process.

However, there are instances where another skin condition might resemble a keloid, causing confusion. For instance, an allergic skin reaction to certain metals like gold in earrings can lead to swelling that mimics the appearance of a keloid.

In such cases, a dermatologist may decide to perform a skin biopsy to accurately determine the underlying condition. This is a straightforward procedure that can be conveniently carried out during your visit to the dermatologist's office, and it is conducted with the patient remaining awake throughout.

During the skin biopsy, the dermatologist numbs the area, then extracts a small sample of skin for microscopic examination. The removed skin is sent to a medical lab, where a doctor will carefully analyse it and provide a detailed report to the dermatologist, explaining the findings observed under the microscope.

With a definitive diagnosis in hand, your dermatologist can create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that you receive the most appropriate and effective care for your condition, be it a keloid or another skin issue.

How are keloids treated?

• For newer keloids, the initial treatment option may involve using compression dressings made from stretchy materials to apply pressure on the wound as it heals. This technique is also employed after keloid removal surgery, aiming to reduce or prevent scarring. However, wearing these dressings for 12 to 24 hours a day over 4 to 6 months can be uncomfortable.
• To ease itchiness, a prescription strength corticosteroid cream can be applied to the affected area. Smaller keloids might be treated by injecting cortisone or other steroids to reduce their thickness. Multiple monthly injections, possibly up to six months, may be required to achieve scar flattening, but this method could lead to side effects like skin thinning, spider veins, and changes in skin colour.
• Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) is another option for reducing or removing smaller keloids. However, multiple treatments may be necessary, and side effects could include blistering, pain, and changes in skin colour.
• Larger keloids can be flattened using pulsed-dye laser sessions, which have also shown effectiveness in easing itchiness and causing keloids to fade. Laser therapy is typically delivered over several sessions with intervals of 4 to 8 weeks, and it can be combined with cortisone injections. However, certain side effects, more common in individuals with darker skin, may include changes in skin pigmentation, blistering, and crusting.
• Radiation therapy using low-level X-ray radiation, either alone or after surgical keloid removal, can help shrink or minimize scar tissue. Repeat treatments might be necessary, but potential side effects include skin complications and, in the long term, a risk of cancer.

When other treatments have not yielded the desired results, surgical removal of keloids might be recommended, often in combination with other methods. However, it is important to note that surgery alone has a high recurrence rate ranging from 45% to 100%.

Considering the wide array of available treatment options, consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial to determine the most appropriate and effective approach for managing keloid scars in each specific case.

What is the cost of scars and keloids removal treatment?

The expenses associated with keloid facial scar removal can exhibit variation based on several factors, including the chosen technique, the surgeon's fees, and the clinic's location. Typically, surgical removal tends to be the costliest procedure, with laser therapy, cryotherapy, and steroid injections following in descending order. In India, the cost of keloid scar removal procedures can span from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 1,00,000, contingent on the specific method employed for treatment.

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