Can keloids be cured?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 15, 2024
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Once keloids appear, they are essentially irreversible, meaning that they cannot be completely cured clinically. The formation of keloids is mostly related to one's own constitution, such as a keloid-prone skin type.

Some keloids are also due to trauma occurring in areas of the skin where muscular tension is relatively high, or where the wound is indeed large and deep, which might lead to the formation of keloids. In such cases, localized drug injections can be used to reduce and soften the keloids.

One can also use ointments that soften scars, such as keloid soothing and softening cream, but these require long-term application to be effective. If the keloid is relatively small, cosmetic surgery to remove and re-sew the area can also be an option for treatment.

In summary, once keloids have developed, they are not easy to completely cure.

Other Voices

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Can hypertrophic scars be massaged?

Hypertrophic scars are relatively common in clinical practice. For instance, a patient who has undergone surgery may develop hypertrophic scars at the incision site, or a patient who has suffered a trauma may develop hypertrophic scars at the site of the injury. Once hypertrophic scars have formed, they can be massaged without any issues. Massage does not lead to a worsening of hypertrophic scars, nor does it cause inflammation, carcinogenesis, or other related conditions. However, it is important to remember to massage gently and not use excessive force.

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What should I do about hypertrophic scars?

Hypertrophic scar keloids are actually quite common in everyday life. Generally, this type of scarring can be divided into three stages: the proliferative phase, the stable phase, and the recovery phase. If care is not taken, the likelihood of developing such keloids increases. Moreover, the occurrence of hypertrophic scar keloids also relates to an individual's constitution. For instance, those with a scar-prone constitution are more likely to encounter this issue. When such issues arise, it is advisable to use some reparative ointments appropriately to help improve the condition. Additionally, combining massage techniques or localized stimulation methods can also assist in improvement, enabling better recovery. Over time, the scars should gradually fade. Of course, in such cases, methods like laser surgery or dermabrasion can also be used to help eliminate these scar-like keloids, potentially speeding up the recovery. (Please follow a doctor’s guidance for specific medication usage and avoid self-medicating.)

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The difference between hypertrophic scars and keloids

In a strict sense, hypertrophic scars and keloids are similar in their pathogenesis. For hypertrophic scars, the typical presentation is localized overgrowth at the scar site, which means that there is an overgrowth during the wound healing process, resulting in a relatively large and numerous scar. Keloids represent a more severe condition where there is a localized raised scar on the wound, which can be significantly large, sometimes resembling a bug on the surface of the scar. They are more likely to occur in areas like the neck, behind the ears, and under the earlobes. For the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids, if the patient has a predisposition to scarring, considerations include early intervention during wound suturing and healing, such as injection of medications or radiation therapy.

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What are hypertrophic scars like?

Hypertrophic scars are actually directly related to a scar-prone constitution, and generally, when such scars occur, they are divided into several types. The first type is caused by regressive changes, and the outcomes in this situation are generally quite ideal. However, improvement in these cases usually needs to be tailored to the specific circumstances. If the issue with hypertrophic scars is more pronounced, it can be addressed with laser surgery to achieve effective treatment. Of course, it requires specific analysis; not every issue in this regard necessitates intervention, but it should be addressed promptly. Moreover, if a scar-prone constitution persists, it might have some direct impacts. Decisions on improvement can be made based on the specific size of the scar area.

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How to remove keloids?

The formation of keloids is largely related to one's inherent scarring constitution. Some patients are not prone to keloids but can still develop them due to particularly deep or large wounds. Additionally, keloids can form on the chest or shoulders after repeated occurrences of folliculitis. Currently, there are not many treatments for keloids. For larger keloids, medication can be used locally to gradually soften and reduce their size. For smaller areas, cosmetic surgical methods can be employed for removal, although this does not guarantee prevention of recurrence. Once keloids appear, they are mostly irreversible. If the keloid grows rapidly, treatment can also be sought at nuclear medicine departments, where nuclear radiation therapy is used.