Plastic surgeons remove keloids by a variety of methods including:
1. Surgical excision – this involves surgically removing the keloid either totally or partially and is usually followed by reconstructive surgery.
2. Injections – this involves injections of corticosteroids into the keloid for reduction of severity. The effects of the injections may not be immediately visible but will eventually reduce the size and the intensity of the keloid over time.
3. Cryotherapy – this involves the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the keloid which will then break down and die over time.
4. Laser therapy – this involves the use of laser technology to break down the keloid tissues and also to stimulate the production of scar tissue.
5. Radiation Therapy – this involves the use of radiation beams to break down the keloids.
6. Pressure Therapy – this involves using pressure devices to compress the keloid and reduce its volume.
Surgery is usually the most effective approach for removing keloids but it may not be possible for some individuals. Depending on the size and severity of the keloid, the other methods mentioned may be used as an alternative or as a supplement to surgery.
Depending on the case, your plastic surgeon will be able to advise on the most suitable approach.
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Can keloids be removed by plastic surgery?
Yes, keloids can be removed by plastic surgery. When keloids are removed through plastic surgery, the scar tissue is excised and the affected area is sutured closed. This surgical procedure is referred to as a keloidectomy.
As it is with any surgery, keloidectomy comes with possible risks, such as infection, bleeding, and scarring. Furthermore, the recurrence of the keloid is always a possibility due to the unique nature of the condition, though proper postoperative care can help reduce this risk.
Plastic surgeons often will use additional treatments, such as steroids and radiation therapy, to help prevent recurrence after excision. Additionally, a revision procedure might be employed if a keloid arises again.
Can keloids be surgically removed?
Yes, keloids can be surgically removed. This is a procedure that should typically only be performed by an experienced dermatologist or a plastic surgeon. In most cases, the keloid will be surgically cut out, though in rare cases cryosurgery, steroid injections, and even laser treatments may be used as well.
Before the procedure, the affected area will be numbed with a local anesthetic so that the patient does not feel any pain during removal. The doctor will then carefully excise the keloid using sterile surgical instruments and then close the wound with sutures.
Depending on the size and location of the keloid, the procedure may take several hours to complete.
Following the procedure, patients may be provided with a pressure dressing to help protect the wound and reduce the risk of a new keloid forming. Steroid injections may also be given so that the healing process can be monitored and to reduce the risk of recurrence.
In some cases, additional treatments may be used to reduce scarring, shrink the keloid, or reduce any itching or discomfort that may occur due to the keloid formation.
Although surgical removal of a keloid may be successful in some cases, there is no guarantee that it will be. In some cases, the keloid may reappear or new ones may form, even after surgery. Therefore, it is important to understand that there are risks associated with this procedure and it should only be done by an experienced medical professional.
How painful is keloid removal surgery?
Keloid removal surgery can be painful, depending on the size and location of the keloid. The actual procedure itself usually involves minor to moderate discomfort due to the numbing medications being injected before surgery begins.
The most common types of keloid removal surgery are excision, where a surgeon cuts away the affected tissue, intralesional steroid injections, and cryotherapy, which involves freezing the affected area.
For larger keloids, more serious surgery like laser therapy or radiotherapy may be necessary. Regardless of the type of procedure, there is usually some pain and discomfort associated with the removal of the keloid.
Of course, after surgery, it is normal to experience some swelling, redness, and pain in the area, which may last for a few days following the procedure. You may also need to take painkillers for a few days afterwards.
In addition to pain, some scarring may occur, depending on the procedure used. However, after the area has healed, the resulting scar is usually a much less noticeable color or texture compared to the original keloid.
Does insurance cover keloid removal?
The answer to this question depends on the type of insurance you have and the type of procedure you are seeking for keloid removal. In general, many insurance providers may cover some or all of the cost of a keloid removal if it is deemed medically necessary and prescribed by your doctor.
Some insurance providers may even cover the cost of cosmetic procedures for aesthetic purposes. However, even with coverage from insurance, you may still be responsible for covering some of the costs of keloid removal.
It is important to contact your insurance provider to find out which specific services are covered by your policy and to get an estimate for how much you may be responsible for out-of-pocket. Additionally, it is important to talk with the doctor performing the keloid removal to get an estimate for the cost of the procedure.
What happens if keloid is left untreated?
If left untreated, keloids can continue to grow, and can become darker and raised above the skin. They can cause pain, itching, tenderness, and difficulty moving the affected skin, as well as discomfort and embarrassment due to their appearance.
In some cases, untreated keloids can also interfere with normal body functions, such as breathing or digestion. Furthermore, underlying tissue damage or irritation from an untreated keloid can lead to further problems such as infection or the formation of additional keloids.
If the keloid is located in a sensitive area, such as near the eyes, it can also cause vision problems if left untreated. Overall, it is best to seek professional medical treatment for a keloid to help avoid the discomfort and potential complications that can result from leaving it untreated.
Why are keloids rarely managed surgically?
Keloids are rarely managed surgically due to the fact that they tend to only return or worsen after the initial surgical treatment. This is due to the fact that when a patient has a keloid, surgical removal of the keloid may cause more tissue to form in that same location in response to the wound.
Furthermore, it is difficult to surgically remove all the microscopic strands of abnormal tissue which form the basis of the keloid, thus making it difficult to achieve a lasting effect.
In addition to this, surgical treatment of a keloid also carries a risk of complications such as infection, pain and even nerve damage. Therefore, in most cases, it is advised to try other non-surgical treatments, such as a combination of topical medications, steroid injections, and laser or cryotherapy, before considering surgery.
In some cases, doctors may recommend the surgical treatment of a keloid if it is of an excessive size or if it causes significant discomfort or distress to the person that has it.
How can I shrink a keloid without surgery?
Keloids can be difficult to treat without surgery, but there are a few non-invasive options available. First, cryotherapy (cold therapy) can be used to reduce the size and redness of a keloid. This involves exposing the keloid to intense cold temperatures, which can cause the scar tissue to decrease in size.
Second, steroid injections into the keloid can also help to reduce swelling, inflammation, and scar tissue. A third option is silicone gel sheeting, which is placed over the affected area to help flatten and soften the keloid, while also reducing inflammation and itching.
Finally, laser therapy can also be used to reduce the size of a keloid. Laser treatments work by destroying the scar tissue directly and can prevent future growth. Overall, none of these options are a guaranteed fix, and it may take multiple treatments to see results.
If a keloid does not respond to all non-invasive treatments, surgery may be the only option for complete removal.
How do you stop a keloid from growing?
Keloids can be very difficult to treat once they start growing, but there are a few methods that may be useful. The first approach is to use a topical steroid, such as a corticosteroid cream. A doctor or dermatologist can apply this directly to the keloid to help reduce the size and appearance of it.
This can be done several times a week, but long-term use can damage the tissue.
Another method that is used to reduce the size and appearance of a keloid is to use cryosurgery, or freezing it with liquid nitrogen. The freezing causes the keloid to die and the surrounding tissue to calcify, leading to a reduction in size.
Other possible treatments include pressure therapy, radiation therapy, and lasers. Pressure therapy involves applying a constant, gentle pressure to the keloid, which helps to reduce its size. Radiation therapy uses radiation to shrink the affected area and is typically only used for very large keloids.
Lasers may be used to reduce pigmentation, smooth out the area, and reduce the size of the keloid.
It is important to note that keloids are very hard to treat, and even the treatments listed above are not always successful. Each case is different and your doctor will be able to determine the most effective treatment strategy for your specific situation.
Do keloids continue growing?
Keloids can continue to grow but the rate of growth can vary. It can take weeks, months, or even years for the growth to slow or stop. For some people, keloids may never stop growing. In other cases, the keloid may stop growing after reaching a certain size.
It is important to note that keloids typically continue to get larger for as long as the person is alive. In some cases, a keloid may even return after being removed. In order to prevent keloids from continuing to grow, proper post-care is essential.
This includes avoiding any kind of trauma or irritation to the affected area. Talk to your doctor or a dermatologist to determine the best course of treatment for your particular case.
How do they remove keloids from surgery?
The treatment for removal of keloids from surgery involves topical treatments, as well as laser or surgical therapies. Topical treatments include steroid injections directly into the keloid to shrink the intradermal tissue.
Laser therapy can be used to break down and destroy the tissue of the keloid. This can be done through the use of an ablative laser or a pulsed dye laser. Lastly, if the keloid is large, surgical excision may be an option to remove the lesion.
The incision should be made feasible and the tissue should be removed carefully to ensure that the underlying dermis is not affected and that a new keloid is not formed. Overall, the treatment for removal of existing keloids depends upon factors such as the size, location and type of keloid present.
What happens if you remove a keloid surgically?
If a keloid is successfully removed surgically, the outcome is often a flat or slightly depressed scar. The area where the scar was may also be permanently discolored, lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
This discoloration is generally the same color as the keloid that was removed.
Depending on the size, shape and severity of the keloid prior to surgical removal, there may still be some recurrence of the growth following the surgery. For this reason, multiple treatments may be required to achieve the desired results, and there is always a risk for recurrence even after successful removal.
In order to reduce the risk of recurrence, many people choose to supplement keloid removal surgery with other treatments such as cryotherapy, pulsed-dye laser therapy or radiation. These techniques, in combination with surgery may be used in order to further reduce the risk.
After surgical removal, the immediate healing process and condition of the surrounding skin is important – the use of silicone gel sheets, pressure dressings and healing ointments are all recommended in order to ensure a successful outcome.
Even after successful removal, some patients find they may still have a bump or a raised scar in the area – this is normal and over time, the area should smooth out.
What is inside a keloid?
Keloids are a type of raised scar tissue that typically form at the site of an injury, such as an incision, piercing, or wound. Underneath the raised and often visible surface, they contain fibroblasts, an abundant cell type present in the connective tissue that produce collagen fibers and other components of the extracellular matrix.
The fibroblasts are responsible for the formation of the large, rubbery, thickened nodule or plaque that characterizes a keloid. Keloids often contain a combination of collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid, elastin, proteoglycans, and water, which is responsible for the firm, rubbery texture that can be felt if the keloid is pressed.
In some cases, a high concentration of inflammatory cells, such as macrophages, mast cells, and neutrophils, may also be present in the keloid.
Do keloids grow back after surgery?
The answer to this question depends largely upon the individual situation. In general, it is unlikely that a keloid will grow back after surgical removal. While very occasionally recurrences do occur, this is not the norm.
That being said, the best way to prevent a recurrence is to follow all instructions given before, during, and after the surgery to reduce the risk of further issues. This includes getting the keloid frozen prior to surgery, using silicone gel to reduce the risk of infection and scarring, as well as applying pressure dressings to the area both during and after the operation.
Additionally, post-surgery radiation therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence. Ultimately, the best way to answer this question is to consult with a medical professional who can give best advice for you and your individual situation.
What triggers keloid?
Keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that typically happens in response to cutaneous trauma and certain medical procedures, such as surgery, piercing, and tattooing. The precise causes of keloid are not completely understood, but there are many theories as to why they form.
Some of these include: genetics, an overly active immune system, an inability to metabolize collagen, an inherited collagen disorder, and sun or radiation exposure. Furthermore, people with darker skin are more prone to developing keloids than those with lighter skin.
The most likely explanation is that, in some cases, the skin overcompensates and produces more collagen, causing a lumpy, reddish-purple growth to form. It’s important to note that while individuals of all ages can develop keloids – they’re more common in individuals between the ages of 10 to 20 and in people with a family history of them.
All-in-all, the precise cause of keloids is a combination of factors, many of which are still unknown.
