Scars can range from minor blemishes to severe and constricting tissue. The treatment you decide to undergo will depend on the type of scar and the extent of the scar tissue. Keloid scars are one of the most difficult ones to treat.

Keloids - What are They?

Keloids aren't really scars. They are, in fact, benign fibrotic tumors that contain atypical fibroblasts. They are also characterized by an excessive amount of components that make up the skin, namely: 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. One of the main problems facing keloid scar treatment are that this scar grows continually and has a high rate of recurrence.

Keloid scar tissue can be small or quite extensive. Not only does size determine how serious this scar is, but so does location. If a keloid appears over a joint, it can cause mobility problems as well as pain.

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. Cryosurgery in conjunction with the application of steroid injections is a very successful way of treating small keloids. However, when trying to treat larger keloids, surgery is usually involved.

Nevertheless, keloid treatment isn't just about keloid removal. Successful keloid scar treatment must include procedures that are implemented before, during and after surgery. Here's a quick overview of keloid scar removal.

Before and during surgery, the surgeon may inject steroids to help dissolve the scar. Studies have shown that this is an effective way of helping minimize the rate of recurrence. Once the keloid is removed, the area must be watched carefully.

After keloid scar removal surgery, the surgeon may use 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 also treatment methods that help deal with keloids. Laser therapy uses a laser to produce a superficial peel. There is a higher success rate 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 used while the wound is healing it becomes even more effective.

Natural gels and creams can also be used for scar treatment. Products that are 100% silicone 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 for the treatment to be successful.