Laser Treatment for your keloid scar
Keloid scars are large, raised scar that develops when the body tries to heal an injury. Though the treatment for keloid scars is not certain and will vary with each individual, laser treatment is often used. It is important to know what to expect so you can make an informed decision on whether or not you want to pursue laser treatment. This blog post will cover what you should know about having laser treatment for your keloid scar.
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What causes keloid scars?
Though the cause of a keloid scar is not entirely understood, they are often connected with a tendency toward abnormal healing of wounds. Under normal circumstances, your body will try to heal a wound by producing collagen and new skin cells that help close the wound. Keloid scars will often result when collagen production is too excessive. This can be caused by poor wound healing, chronic inflammation in the area, and a weakened immune system or infection.
What are the signs and symptoms of a keloid scar?
A keloid is a raised sore that is not red at all. It may be slightly swollen and raised, though its color might be nearly translucent. It does not hurt because no part of the body feels the scar. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of a keloid scar:
1. Rashes, bumps, lumps
A keloid scar does not hurt, but it can feel itchy and painful. Luckily, if the cause of your keloid scar differs from the usual causes of a keloid or another form of skin infection, sometimes you will see rashes or other skin bumps that are different from standard skin bumps. Some people may also notice lumps where their new skin has formed since they have scarred.
2. Warts
A keloid scar can give rise to warts. Although they can be removed easily with some care, warts can be on your entire body. They often appear on the back of the hands, arms, or legs.
3. Thick scar Tissue
Normally, collagen and new skin cells only form millimeters above an injury wound. When you heal a wound like this or if an underlying illness or infection is causing an increase in collagen production, the scar tissue can be thick and firm – just like normal scar tissue.
4. Exposure to the Elements
A keloid scar can be ultra-sensitive. A light breeze or a slight brush against it may sting and make you wince in pain. Any drying or putting on lotions, natural oils, and other skin products may feel like a painful and itchy burn.
5. Itchy, dry skin
Keloid scars are often made up of thickened scar tissue that can appear as itchy and dry skin. The exposed skin can chafe, rub, and tear easily. This may aggravate the scar or cause bleeding and stinging.
6. Painful when Touched
A keloid scar is often sensitive to touch but not necessarily painful. A light brush on your keloid scar may not be painful, but a long stretch or a pinching motion can cause pain, pain, and more pain! The more bruising there is in the scar area, the more painful it will be to touch there.
What Treatment is available for keloid scars?
Laser treatment is the most common treatment used to remove keloid scars. Often, you will have a series of laser procedures to remove your keloid scar over an extended period. Different laser procedures depend on the size and location of your scar. For instance, dermatologists often do keloid plastic surgery on the face or neck. More information on keloid plastic surgery can be found here.
Laser and photodynamic therapy are also used to remove keloid scars in other parts of your body. These treatments work best when they are used together.
What are the signs and symptoms of having laser treatment for your keloid scar?
As mentioned above, once the cause of your keloid scar is taken care of, different laser procedures can be used to get rid of it. Not all laser procedures are guaranteed to cause no adverse effects. Here are some common side effects and things to watch out for:
1. Acne
This is a common side effect as with all forms of laser treatment. There is a possibility of your skin breaking out into acne during laser treatment. This is more likely if you are undergoing laser treatment for acne or have acne due to other treatments for keloid scars.
2. Swelling and redness
There is a risk of swelling and redness after your laser sessions. Your keloid scar may become more swollen and red than usual. This is especially true if you have undergone laser treatment for acne, particularly acne cysts.
3. Skin irritation
The skin around the treated area can become very irritated after laser treatment. Your skin may burn if exposed to the sun or if you use certain lotions and other products on it. This will usually subside after a few days, but it’s important to be careful with handling your skin during this time.
4. Hair loss
Some laser procedures may cause short-term and long-term hair loss. This can be due to the heat or intense light emitted when the laser is used. It is possible to have a lot of hair loss in a place where there was not much hair in the first place.
5. Scarring
Laser treatment sometimes makes it impossible to remove all scar tissue from your keloid scar completely. If you develop scar tissue deep in your skin, it can be very difficult to remove completely.
What is the best way to treat keloid scars?
Keloid scars are best treated by treating the underlying cause of their formation. If you have keloid scars due to acne, your dermatologist can prescribe you a steroid cream on your face so the keloid scar doesn’t get worse. If you have an underlying illness or infection, your doctor will prescribe you medications to treat the illness and deal with your keloid scar.
What is the best way to prevent keloid scars?
The best way to prevent keloid scars is to prevent further infection or irritation of the skin in areas prone to getting keloid scars. This means that you should be sure not to touch any part of your skin if you have a cut, even if it is bandaged. You should also keep your skin as clean and dry as possible. Your dermatologist will tell you what to take for acne, but always remember not to use skin products that can irritate.
Keloid-like scars are typically due to excessive collagen production in the dermis, which results in excessive scarring and subsequent hyperpigmentation (darkening of normal skin color).
