Keloid Scars

Keloids form due to abnormal over healing of a wound. It is difficult to decide if this condition should be placed under “Medical dermatology” or “Cosmetic dermatology” given that most patients seek treatment for this due to itching, pain and growth of this condition more so than its aesthetic concern. Hence, it has been placed under “Laser dermatology” as one of the most effective treatments has been the Pulsed dye laser. However, the treatment outcome can still be said to be unpredictable as recurrence rates are high.

Treatments available in the clinic include:

Topical

  • Silicon gels and/or sheets
  • High potent topical steroids

Injection

  • Steroid injections into the scar

Pulsed dye laser

  • Combination of the above treatments with pulsed dye laser has shown clinical improvement without much down time
  • On average 5 laser treatments are required, each 4 to 6 weeks apart. Subsequently these sessions can be further spaced out
Carbon dioxide laser ablation 
  • For certain keloids eg. over the earlobes, there has been relatively good success with using carbon dioxide laser ablation in combination with monthly steroid injections for at least 6 months to prevent recurrence. Subsequently, you will need to wear pressure earrings to aid in preventing the recurrence of the keloid