Which Type of Keloid Scar Treatment Really Works?

Keloid scars are part of the Hypertrophic group of scars in that they have the ability to expand in size. However, Keloids are a very unique type of scar as they are the only kind of wound which can expand beyond the original boundary of the injury. This means that a simple piercing from an earring can result in an over-sized Keloid that expands well beyond the ear.

Unfortunately, while these types of scars are considered abnormal and are less common than "normal" scars, they can still result from just about anything including a scrape, small cut, or even as the result of a common disease such as acne or chickenpox.

After A Keloid Develops...What Next?

After this type of wound develops, you do have options including using a topical Keloid scar treatment such as a silicone scar cream or gel. This is the most common type of treatment as these products are available without a prescription. Some extremely large Keloids may require surgery. However, surgically removing a Keloid results in the development of another Keloid around 50% of the time which is why surgery is reserved for only the most serious forms of Keloids.

There is also the option of injection therapy, but again this is reserved for extremely serious wounds. Typically, skin and health care professionals suggest using a silicone based treatment due to the fact that this method has been clinically shown to diminish both the size and color of Keloids. While you may purchase silicone scar sheeting, many consumers prefer to use a gel based product as this option is not only generally more cost effective, but it also allows the scar to remain completely protected during movement.

source: ezinearticles.com

What is a Hypertrophic Scar?

What is a Scar?

A scar is when fibrous tissues bond to replace skin that has been damaged through an injury or surgery. This is a normal process that happens to repair any wound on the skin and deeper tissues in the body. Scars are a very natural occurrence during the process of healing. Most lesions, unless they are minor in nature, wind up scarring in some fashion.

Scar tissue is different from the skin. Hair does not grow back for one thing. Also, it is usually not as flexible and elastic as the skin it replaces.

A Hypertrophic Scar

A hypertrophic scar is a red thick scar and it can happen from an injury to the skin or surgery. Hypertrophic scars grow only in the immediate area of the skin injury. It is the keloid scars that can grow outside into the area outside the injuries. Both scars can be similar in size and shapes at times.

Unlike the keloid scar, however, the hypertrophic scar heals by itself. It can take about 12 to 18 months for the size to decrease and the tenderness to subside. These scars do not totally disappear though.

Hypertrophic scars and keloid can be caused by similar events. They can happen from injections, surgery (including skin surgery), injury, but also from acne and body piercing.

Hypertrophic scars have nothing to do with family history or ethnic background as the keloid scars. But in both types of scars, the collagen levels are higher than in average scar tissue. Hypertrophic scars usually form on the ears, shoulders, and breastbone, but they can form other places on the body too.

The Healing of Hypertrophic Scars

The hypertrophic scar usually heals with no assistance, with the swelling and sensations of pain decreasing in about 12 to 18 months. Certain things can be done to speed up this process. One such thing is by using injections of steroids or the topical application of steroid cream or ointments. These can assist the scar in decreasing in appearance.

Hypertrophic scars removal can be surgically accomplished by using such methods at Z-plasty, this can produce very noticeable results. The only drawback to this is that hypertrophic scarring can occur from this method due to its surgical nature. This should only be done by a board certified plastic surgeon.

Today though modern technology also has provided the use of silicone sheets to help hypertrophic and other scars heal. The individual wears the silicone sheets for a certain length of time daily to get results. The silicone stimulates the skin to heal itself. Over time, the scars improve in appearance greatly.

A person needing to treat a hypertrophic scar to speed up healing needs to consult a physician to make sure which path to take. But, as explained in this article, there are many methods for either speeding up healing or hypertrophic scars removal. There is a method to suit the needs of all people suffering with these scars. Just be sure to follow a doctor's advice to get maximum results.

source: ezinearticles.com

Keloid Scars Can Be Treated With Incisive Treatments As Well As Non-Incisive Treatments

After the initial pain and shock of an injury, we often are occupied with the question of whether it will leave a scar. Most frequently, injuries are beyond our control like falls, accidents, or even acne. Yet, some develop from events we decide on ourselves, like types of tattoos or piercings. In any case, one would hope to prevent these unsightly marks and to treat existing scars in order to preserve the beauty of their skin.

Wound Healing

Wound healing consists of three phases. The first is the inflammatory phase when the blood clots, inflammatory cells accumulate, and growth factors cause cells to speed their rate of division. Bacteria and damaged tissue are eliminated by macrophages which also help in the formation of a new extracellular matrix. The next phase, the proliferative phase, starts with the presence of fibroblasts and their work toward constructing a new matrix with collagen. During this phase, the wound contracts and prepares for new tissue. The final phase is called the maturation and remodeling phase, and consists of the remodeling of collagen to be better aligned with the skin's natural tension lines. Cells used during the healing process are also eliminated.

Types of Scarring

The type of scar that results can depend on the nature of the injury as well as small alterations in the general wound healing process. Two general categories of scarring are atrophic and hypertrophic. Atrophic scars are associated with tissue loss while hypertrophic or keloid scars are formed due to the overproduction of collagen that causes the scar to rise above the skin's surface and in the case of keloids, extend beyond the bounds of the original wound. The latter scar types mentioned are more severe and often prompt people to take action in treating and removing them. Doctors still are uncertain why hypertrophic scars form instead of atrophic, but some suggest that certain people have a genetic or cellular tendency toward their development. They are common as a result of deep cuts, burns, and piercings; however, they can also form as a result of less serious injury and even acne. Both men and women seem to develop keloids equally, however, women's numbers are sometimes higher in piercing keloids or ear keloids because of their higher likelihood to get piercings. This leaves women, as well as men, searching for types of piercing keloid treatment or general keloid scar removal procedures that could possibly erase them of these unsightly scars.

Keloid Scar Removal

There are various methods of keloid scar removal. Procedures include surgeries that scrape or excise the scar tissue, cortisone injections that help smooth the area, laser treatments that reduce redness, or the freezing off of scar tissue known as cryotherapy. These options, however, should be last resort as they are generally expensive and painful.

Another treatment option is offered by natural skin care product lines that have developed a new treatment for keloid scars using an organic ingredient made by the Helix Aspersa Muller. This serum contains activators of skin growth factors and antimicrobial peptides that aid with the quick and clean reformation of the skin during the healing process. Helix Aspersa Muller secretions also contain enzymes that work to dissolve damaged proteins in order to release their amino acids that can help in the regeneration of healthy cells. Communicator molecules differentiate damaged tissue from healthy tissue in order to manage the rebuilding of collagen and other structural elements of healthy skin. The compound's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components clear a clean slate for new healthy skin tissue by removing all damaged skin cells. The treatment and removal of keloid scars has never been this easy!

source: ezinearticles.com

How Keloid Scars' Complexion and Texture Improve

Keloids: Defined

Keloids, or keloidal scars, are those that are composed first of type III collagen and later replaced by type I collagen. That is, they occur because of an overgrowth of collagen III, also known as granulation tissue, that is slowly replaced with a different type of tissue, type 1 collagen.

Keloid scars are firm and rubbery lesions or shiny nodules that rise abruptly above the normal skin level. This scar type is known to keep growing, be accompanied by different degrees of itchiness, and won't disappear over time. These raised scars range in color from pink to flesh colored to red to dark brown.

Keloids develop most often after injury, surgery, burns and piercings, appearing on the chest, back, shoulders and earlobes. They rarely develop on the face although with the exception of along the jawline.

Keloid vs. Hypertrophic Scars

When the skin is injured, the body produces a fibrous mix of collagen that quickly closes the wound. This normal healing process leaves a flat scar.

Hypertrophic scars are characterized by thickened scar tissue that remains confined to the original boundaries of the wound. The are usually more red in color than keloids and can also fade away with time, though they will enure at least a year if not more.

Keloid scars are also made of thickened scar tissue. However, these scars can continue to expand and will grow beyond the shape of the original injury. They also can spontaneously increase in size, growing even after much time has already passed from that of the original injury.

Causes of Keloids

Doctors don't know exactly why keloids form. Their current hypothesis is that some sort of error in cellular signaling causes extra proliferation of collagen, leading to the formation of keloids.

Keloid Treatment

Since keloids can spontaneously grow or become worse with anything causing inflammation, keloid scar removal should be avoided if possible.

* Cortisone injections do not cause re-growth and are also on the painless side. These intralesional steroids are administered about once a month until best results have been maximized. Minimal steroid enters the bloodstream, making this treatment a safe and successful route for flattening keloids. A negative side effect of cortisone injections is the stimulation of blood vessels found superficially in the skin, resulting in a reddening effect.

* Surgery is risky as it often triggers the formation or re-growth of a similar or larger keloid. For this reason, most surgeons combine surgery with other keloid treatments.

* The pulsed-dye laser has been successful in flattening keloids and also at reducing redness. For this reason, they are also used with cortisone injections (as these injections causes redness). Just like cortisone injections, this type of treatment is fairly safe and painless and several sessions might be required. These treatment sessions can become quite costly as insurance plans don't typically cover laser treatment.

* Compression dressings are applied to the keloid for several hours a day for weeks or even months. Using compression dressings can be a big hassle, especially since results are variable. Silicone gel sheets are the most common compression dressing.

* Cryotherapy is a method similar to surgery that removes keloids by freezing them with liquid nitrogen. This is risky like surgery in causing keloid re-growth and also commonly darkens the skin tissue.

* Acne scars creams are used in prevention and treatment of keloids as the inflammation associated with pimples can bring about keloids, especially on the chest and jawline. Many of these creams dissolve away excess collagen to smooth out the keloid tissue. Others will help the body regulate the wound healing process and moderate collagen production. These are also beneficial in that they often provide relief for itchiness.

source: ezinearticles.com

Hypertrophic Scar Treatment

When it comes to hypertrophic scars, there are very few successful treatments currently available. The reason for these limitations in available treatments mainly has to do with the difficulty of eradication the scar since it is most notably reported as a reoccurring scar. What this means is that while many of the treatments may seem like they work immediately following the procedure, after a few months they come back. It is not yet clear as to why the hypertrophic scars for this but many dermatologists have their theories associated with it.

In any type of injury to the dermis, the body's natural reaction to it is to form a scar. This scar being formed is similar to that of a callous forming when you work too hard. It is just a natural defense mechanism to prevent any further injuries. In most cases the outermost layers of skin are damaged and therefore the scar can easily be remedied by removing these layers of skin. Unfortunately with the hypertrophic scars, they form under the papillary layer of skin which means it cannot just be eradicated with the normal scar remedies.

The worst type of scar you can get is of course a keloid with the scar being in a close second. The reasons for this is that just like a regular scar the hypertrophic scar only affects the traumatized area of skin but the keloids affect outside of this area.

The reasons that many people are looking at remedying a scar is that it is more common than that of a keloid scar and can even occur as a direct result of a surgical procedure. While they are reoccurring the hypertrophic scars also digress quicker which means that they are more likely to respond to a scar treatment than a keloid would.

The treatments that are available for scars vary on the actual scar. If it is a very noticeable scar it is also more likely to be harder to eradicate. If you have a scar and are looking at getting rid of it then your best option is to seek out a certified dermatologist who is better equipped at giving you the best treatment options for your scar.

source: ezinearticles.com

Boxcar, Ice Pick, Hypertrophic & Keloid Scarring

Acne is something almost everyone has to deal with once in their life, either as a teenager or believe it or not as an adult. The most horrible thing about acne is that it can leave your skin with different types of scarring. Boxcar, ice pick, hypertrophic and keloid scars are some reminders left by acne.

Types of Scars

Ice Pick Scars. These are characterized by deep pits in your skin. These are the most common type of scarring left from acne.

Box Car Scars. These are similar to ice pick scars but are angular scars that usually occur on the temple and cheeks. These scars can be either superficial or deep and are very similar to chicken pox scars.

Hypertrophic Scars. These are raised scars caused by the overproduction of collagen. They can be easily recognized by the raised, hard tissue after the skin has healed.

Keloid Scars. Keloid are similar or a form of hypertrophic scarring but a keloid occurs when the scar tissue grows beyond the borders of the initial wound.

Acne Scar Removal and Prevention

The best way to prevent acne scars is to keep your acne controlled with an acne treatment cream. Which creams work best depends on your type of skin, but natural skin care products are the best form to protect your skin from breakouts. Natural products are a good alternative because they do not cause any secondary effects like chemically based products that can irritate your condition instead of controlling your breakouts.

If you already have acne scars and are looking for a treatment that will get rid of those reminders, the best way to go is to try a home microdermabrasion cream. By gently exfoliating the very top layer of the skin, to gradually remove scarred or discolored epidermal tissue. Home microdermabrasion products are great for boxcar scars or ice pick scars, but they are not recommended for raised scars as those types of scarring can be more sensitive.

For raised scars, a cream that contains the secretion of the land snail Helix Aspersa Muller is a great option. The snail secretion has properties to control collagen production, in other words, stop the growth of raised scars. It has also been known to reduce the size of both old and new keloid scars without irritating the skin.

The best way to prevent acne scarring is to control your acne before it damages your skin. If you have those unsightly reminders, use a home microdermabrasion product or a natural skin care cream that contains the secretion of the land snail Helix Aspera Muller to gradually eliminate your acne scars.

source: ezinearticles.com