Many people worry that keloid scars might reappear even after treatment. While keloids do have a relatively high chance of recurrence, they do not recur 100% of the time. So, what are the effective ways to manage and prevent recurrence?
Do keloids really always recur?
It is true that keloid scars have a high chance of recurrence after treatment, but they do not recur 100% of the time in all cases. After completing treatment, it is important to carefully observe the scar area to check for recurrence. If signs of recurrence appear, starting treatment quickly in the early stages can be much more effective.
Don't miss the early signs of recurrence
The early signs that may indicate keloid recurrence are as follows:
Symptoms such as the scar area clumping up again or the skin feeling slightly itchy may appear.
If these symptoms occur, it could be a sign of recurrence, so it is advisable to consult with medical staff without delay to take appropriate measures.
The most common treatment: Steroid injections
One of the most commonly used standard treatments for keloids worldwide is steroid injections. The advantages of this injection are as follows:
- Affordable cost: Treatment can be received at a relatively low cost.
- Easy accessibility: It can be easily performed at many medical institutions.
Steroid injections play a role in breaking down the collagen fibers that are excessively produced in keloids. While the lesion may seem to subside and improve after the injection, the exact cause of keloids is not yet known, so simply removing what has formed has limitations in completely preventing recurrence. Therefore, steroid injections alone may not have a significant effect in reducing recurrence.
Precautions for long-term use of steroid injections
Long-term use of steroid injections alone can lead to several problems. The biggest issue is that the injection dosage may gradually increase. Although the absorption rate into the systemic circulation is known to be slow, repeated injection treatments can increase the likelihood of steroid-induced side effects.
The key to reducing recurrence rates: Vascular laser
To reduce the recurrence rate of keloids, it is necessary to block the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the scar. What is used for this purpose is the vascular laser. The vascular laser can selectively block the blood vessels that cause excessive collagen production in keloids, which may help suppress the growth and recurrence of keloids.
Why are steroid injections and vascular lasers used together?
Combining steroid injections and vascular lasers in keloid treatment is to compensate for each other's shortcomings and maximize the treatment effect.
- Vascular laser: Plays a role in blocking blood vessels to prevent excessive collagen production. This can contribute to suppressing keloid growth and preventing recurrence.
- Steroid injection: Plays a role in breaking down already formed excessive collagen fibers to subside the scar.
By using these two treatment methods together, the dosage of steroid injections can be reduced, lowering the risk of side effects, while simultaneously managing the occurrence and growth of keloids, thus expecting better treatment results.
For keloid treatment, a comprehensive approach is important
Overall, combining vascular laser and injection treatment to reduce the injection dosage may be considered a better treatment method than using steroid injections alone for a long period. Keloid scars vary greatly from person to person, so it is important to consult with specialized medical staff to establish the most suitable combined treatment plan for you.