Scars can range from minor blemishes to severe and constricting tissue. The type of treatment they require depends on the type and extent of the scar formation. One of the most difficult types of scars to treat are keloids.

What are Keloids?

Keloids aren't actually scars. As a matter of fact, they are benign fibrotic tumors that contain atypical fibroblasts. They are also characterized by an excess of collagen, elastin and proteogylcans.

Normally, keloids contain relatively acellular centers and have thick and abundant collagen bundles that form nodules in the deep dermal portion of the lesion. They can cause severe itching, pain and disfigurement. The main difficulties facing keloid scar treatment are constant growth and a high rate of recurrence.

Keloids can be small or quite extensive. Both size and location help determine the severity of this scar tissue. If a keloid appears over a joint, it can cause mobility problems as well as pain.

Learn How you can Treat Keloids

There are several treatments you can undergo to help treat keloids. They include silicone sheeting, surgery, compression dressings, steroid injections, cryosurgery, and radiation and laser therapy. Undergoing both cryosurgery and the application of steroid injections is very successful for treating small keloids. However, when trying to treat larger keloids, surgery is usually involved.

Nonetheless, the best forms of keloid treatment aren't just about keloid removal. The most successful keloid scar treatment should include procedures that are implemented before, during, and even after surgery. Here's a quick overview of keloid scar removal.

Before and during surgery, a surgeon will inject steroids directly into the scar tissue to help dissolve it. Studies have shown that this minimizes the rate of recurrence. Once the keloid is removed, the area must be cared for carefully.

Another treatment used after keloid scar removal surgery, is the use of compression therapy or silicone sheets to help keep the keloid from recurring. In some people compression may need last as long as twelve months.

Laser and radiation therapy are another treatment method that can help you deal with keloids. Laser therapy consists of using a laser to produce a superficial peel. Higher success rates occur when laser therapy is used in conjunction with silicone sheeting or steroid injections.

Radiation therapy is most effective when used soon after having undergone surgery. When this type of treatment is applied while the wound is still healing, it becomes even more effective.

Creams and gels can also be used for scar treatment. When looking into this type of treatment you should consider products that are 100% silicone, they are the most effective. Products that contain onion extract have also been proven effective when treating all kinds of post traumatic wounds. In fact, they have even been known to help in the healing process.

No matter which gel you use, you must be persistent. This is the only way that any treatment can be successful.