Keloid Scar Removal Without Surgical Excision

Every type of scar will require a special type of treatment. For the most part, all scar types can be treated effectively using surgery, however, if you're trying to treat a keloid scar then it's a bit more complicated because keloids tend to grow indefinitely and recur after surgical excision.

Fortunately, there are other forms of keloid removal that are less invasive than surgery but very effective. Depending on the size and location of the keloid you can either use one of these procedure to treat the scar or a combination of them. Here are some alternatives you can look into.

Usually the first option your doctor will give you are steroid injections. These injections help flatten scar tissue and make keloid scars less noticeable. However, the flattened keloid will still have a different feel than regular skin.

Steroid injections can be used at any time before, during, or after surgery. When injections are used in this manner, especially when undergoing keloid scar removal surgery, then keloid recurrence can be greatly hindered. The doctor will evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action.

Compression therapy is another type of treatment for keloids and raised scars. This type of treatment is one of the oldest scar removal alternatives. The compression devices and garments used are usually custom fitted and have to be worn for 24 hours a day and sometimes up to a year or more.

Other elements used, such as silicone sheets, are used to help flatten all types of scars, including keloids and other hypertrophic scars. If you are undergoing this type of treatment you should be wearing these sheets for a few hours a day for several weeks.

These sheets can often be found at your drugstore. They are very effective and a good alternative for keloid treatment. In fact, usage is quite simple. All you need to do is cut the sheet down to size so that it will fit the affected area.

Laser therapy can also be implemented as an effective keloid scar treatment. In this case, pulsed dye lasers are used to flatten keloids. In fact, the use of laser therapy has proven so beneficial that it can also help reduce the redness that is common in most keloid scars.

Smaller keloids, especially those caused by piercings, can be treated with cryotherapy. This form of treatment uses liquid nitrogen to flatten the keloids. Even though it is successful in treating keloids, cryotherapy can also make the treated area darker than the surrounding skin.

Remember that it is important that you consult with your doctor to find out what possibilities you do or don't have. If surgery is a viable option for you, then it is quite possible that it can be combined with one or more of the previously mentioned alternatives. However, if you're not willing to undergo surgery be assured that there are other less invasive alternatives out there. By: Martha Fitzharris

Scar Treatment - Remove Scars Through Herbal Ways

Scars are the fibrous tissue formed on the skin in order to repair broken tissue. When there is an injury, the skin produces more cells in order to re-grow the punctured skin. This tissue is known as a scar.

A scar is easily visible because the cells that go in making up the scar are of lesser quality than the original cells. For example, the scars on the skin are not able to grow any hair since they have no hair follicles. Also they are lesser-resistant to UV radiation.

It is a fact that scars can never be completely healed. There are several medical and cosmetic methods to cover up scars, but none of them can claim to remove a scar completely. The scar can be masked by some methods, like laser surgery, steroid injections, dermabrasion and radio therapy, but none of these methods can remove the scar fully. On the contrary, there might be permanent injury to the skin. On the other hand, Ayurveda deals in some safe herbal methods to remove scars. These methods are generally simple home remedies, and they have no side-effects at all. You can try out these methods before going in for complicated surgical procedures.

Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Scars

- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe vera is a good home remedy for the treatment of residual scars. Its juice acts as natural bleach. Its juice is applied to the scars, which then slowly reduce and vanish.

- Cucumber (Curcumis sativus)

The cool cucumber helps in the removal of scar tissues also. A paste is made of the cucumber and is applied directly onto the scars. This helps the scars to smoothen out after a few applications left overnight.

- Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)

The Indian gooseberry, or the amalaki, is very important in the prevention of scars after healing. Amalaki is the richest source of vitamin C, which is needed for cementing open wounds.

Dietary Guidelines for Treatment of Scars

Vitamin E is essential in the healing of a wound. When you are injured, increase the intake of vitamin E in the diet. This is available in the form of nuts, eggs, oilseeds, wheat germ, etc. Taking a lot of vitamin E speeds up the healing process. Because of this the possibility of scars remaining after the injury is very less. It must be noted that vitamin E must be had when the wound is still healing. After the scar is formed, the effects of vitamin E in removing the scar are minimal.

Vitamin C is also essential during the healing process. Vitamin C contains collagen, a cementing material that is very necessary during blood clotting. This can be got from most sour foods, including creams. Creams are considered to be best for this purpose. Cocoa cream is very beneficial in the treatment of superficial scars.

Keep your diet adequate with green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits. Taking a good amount of protein-rich food is also necessary for fast healing with less scars left.

Home Remedies for Treatment of Scars

- Take some vitamin E capsules. Open them and smear the powder or the oil of these capsules onto the scars. This will help the scars heal.

- Aloe vera paste can be mixed with the powder of vitamin E capsules. This can be rubbed onto the scar for better results. This must be done several times a day.

- You can also apply honey directly on the scars and leave it overnight. This application must be done frequently so that the scar gets enough time to get healed completely.

- Put the oil of the tea tree onto the scar and gently rub it in several times a day. The scar will vanish in a few days.

- Alternatively, green tea can be slightly blanched, dabbed onto a cotton swab and then massaged onto the scar. This will also help the scar to gradually vanish.

- Rub ice cubes onto the scars. This is a simple remedy to treat the scars. But the ice must be rubbed several times on the face.

- Olive oil is very good in removing scars. However if you don't get olive oil for some reason, then you can take any oil and massage it on the scar several times a day. After many days of such treatment, the scar will eventually wear off.

- If the scar is due to a pimple, then the following remedy is useful. Mix a tablespoon of sour cream, a tablespoon of yogurt, a tablespoon of ground oatmeal and a few drops of lemon juice and blend it thoroughly. Apply this paste onto the face for ten minutes. Then wash it off. Do this four times in a day. Remember to use low-fat sour cream if you have an oily skin.

- Cut a clove of garlic into half and rub it on the pimples when you have them. This helps to treat the pimples without leaving a scar behind later on.

Author: Dr.Anna Hardy