Keloid scars - CSI Salud Integral Costa Rica

Imagine getting bitten by an insect one day and suddenly seeing the bite turn into a large, thickened, raised scar that steals your peace of mind and drains your self-esteem because of its unsightly appearance? That’s what happens with keloid scars, which can appear as a result of something as simple as an insect bite, acne, an injection, a piercing, hair removal, or even minor scratches or bumps. Generally speaking, these types of scars can occur anywhere on the skin where there is an injury. However, they commonly form on earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, or chest. If a person is prone to developing keloids, they may appear in more than one place. Is that your situation?

What does a keloid scar look like?

Let’s begin by saying, for your peace of mind, that a keloid scar is not harmful to your physical health, but it can affect your emotional well-being, self-perception, and self-confidence because some can resemble small tumors. Keloid scars are generally:

Thick and irregular scars.
Scars with shiny, hairless, lumpy, and raised skin.
They come in different sizes.
They have varied textures, ranging from soft to firm and rubbery.
They can also be reddish, brown, or purple, depending on the skin color.
Some cause itching and discomfort.

Factors that increase the likelihood of developing keloid scars

While anyone can suffer an injury, there are medical criteria that determine that some people, due to genetic, ethnic, or age-related reasons, are more likely to develop keloid scars. For example:

Having brown or black skin. The reason for this predisposition is unknown.
Having a personal or family history of keloids.
Be under 30 years old.

Causes of keloid scars

As we explained earlier, experts don’t fully understand what causes keloid scars. But apparently, it’s the fault of that wonderful collagen. Remember that collagen is a protein found throughout the body and is necessary for wound healing, but when the body produces too much, keloids can form. In other words, keloid scars form during the healing process. If, during this process, the wound releases too many growth factors, it triggers abnormal scar growth.

Prevention and treatment of keloid scars

Some recommendations for preventing or treating the appearance of keloid scars are:

Use sunscreen with a high UV factor.
Silicone healing patches.
Creams or oils with healing, moisturizing and repairing properties.

However, it’s important to consult a specialist to determine the best treatment for your specific case. Contact us at the Comprehensive Health Clinic; we offer various skin and complexion treatments, such as the Fotona laser for keloid scars , which is highly effective and minimally invasive. 100% recommended!