What is Keloid?
Keloids are a condition of excessive scar tissue growth due to a disruption in the wound healing process. Unlike ordinary scars, keloids tend to continue to grow beyond the initial wound boundaries, often causing itching, pain, or even aesthetic disturbances that interfere with self-confidence.
Keloids can appear after a wound, surgery, piercing, burn, or even an inflamed acne. They are more common in individuals with a family history of keloids, especially in people with darker skin.
Can Keloids Disappear on Their Own?
The answer is: No!
Unlike regular scars that can fade over time, keloids will not disappear on their own . Instead, keloids can grow larger over time due to excessive scar tissue growth. In some cases, keloids may become softer and appear to shrink slightly over the years, but they will not completely disappear without medical intervention.
Why Can't Keloids Go Away On Their Own?
Keloids occur due to excess collagen production during the wound healing process. Unlike normal scar tissue that stops growing after the wound heals, keloids continue to grow due to a disruption in the body's healing mechanism.
Factors that influence keloid growth include:
- Genetic Factors – If your parents have keloids, your risk is also higher.
- Wound Location – Keloids appear more often in scar areas such as the chest, shoulders, back, earlobes, and lower jaw,
- Age – More common in people aged 10-30 years.
- Type of Wound – Surgical wounds, piercings, tattoos, and severe acne are at higher risk of causing keloids.
How to Treat Keloids?
Although keloids do not disappear on their own, there are several treatment options that can help shrink or eliminate them:
- Corticosteroid Injection
Corticosteroid injections such as triamcinolone acetonide can reduce inflammation and gradually shrink keloids. They are usually given every 4–6 weeks until the keloid shrinks.
- Laser Therapy
Lasers, especially the pulsed-dye laser (PDL) type , can help reduce the redness and size of keloids, although they often require multiple sessions.
- Excision Surgery (Keloid Removal Surgery)
Removing keloids through surgery can be an option, but the risk of recurrence is quite high if not accompanied by additional therapy such as corticosteroid injections or post-operative radiotherapy.
- Radiotherapy
Low doses of radiotherapy after keloid removal surgery can help reduce the chances of keloids growing back.
- Use of Silicone Gel or Sheet
Regular use of silicone gel or silicone sheets can help suppress keloid growth, especially on new keloids.
- Cryotherapy (Freeze Therapy)
Cryotherapy uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and shrink keloids. This method is more effective on small keloids.
Conclusion
- Keloids do not go away on their own without medical intervention.
- Keloids can continue to grow and even get bigger over time.
- There are various methods of treating keloids, including corticosteroid injections, lasers, surgery, and radiotherapy.
- If you have a bothersome keloid, consult a surgeon or dermatologist to get the right treatment.
So, if you or someone close to you has a keloid, don't wait for it to go away on its own, because it won't . The sooner it is treated, the better chance of reducing its size and impact.
Article written by dr. Regina Esterlina Rehatta, Sp.B, FICS (General Surgery Specialist Doctor, EMC Cibitung Hospital).