Keloids

Keloids are most common on the breastbone, upper back, and shoulder but can occur anywhere on the body.

Some people, especially those with dark skin, are more prone to developing keloid scars than in lighter skin types.

Signs and symptoms include:

• Firm, raised, hard scars
• Colour that varies from slightly pink to very dark
• Tenderness or itching
• Continued growth and claw like projections

Doctors do not understand exactly why keloids form in certain people or situations and not in others. These “specialised scars” are tumour-like in nature and they can increase in size with time if left untreated. Changes in the cellular signals that control growth and proliferation may be related to the process of keloid formation, but these changes have not yet been characterised scientifically. The keloids themselves can become quite uncomfortable and “tight and itchy” as they grow in size. If keloids becme too large it is best to have them excised before treating with injectables and Laser Genesis.

Keloids are less common in children and the elderly. Although people with darker skin are more likely to develop them, keloids can occur in men and women of all skin types. In some cases, the tendency to form keloids seems to run in families (genetics). Keloids develop most often on the chest, back, shoulders, and earlobes. They rarely develop on the face (with the exception of the jawline).

Keloids are treated with:

• Monthly intralesional corticosteroids or TAC injections
• Weekly Laser Genesis treatments with the Nd:Yag laser to reduce the redness
• Botox intralesionally is experimental, but at Skin Renewal we have had success with Botox combined with intralesional steroids and Laser Genesis treatments
• We have also had great success combining fractional treatments with TAC massage. These fractional therapies may include; Fraxel DUAL, Needling with Dermapen or Endymed FSR