Keloids are a skin condition that occurs when the fibrotic tissue overgrows beyond the initial margins of an injury – it’s usually a secondary result of a defective wound. Based on the “quality of life studies,” keloids, like most other scars, will have aesthetic, functional, and psychological effects on the patients. To help get rid of these stressful skin marks, Laser treatment for keloids is one scar removal method that is increasingly gaining traction.
With so many injurious activities in our daily lives, avoiding skin injuries might be next to impossible. However, how we care for the injuries might significantly save us from developing these scars.
And if they still occur, laser treatments, silicone treatments, natural remedies, and surgeries are some of the most effective scar treatment methods you can try out.
What is Laser Treatment for Keloids, and is it Effective?
Popularly known as laser therapy, this is a keloid removal method that uses concentrated rays of light to stimulate the growth of new, healthy skin cells around a damaged skin section. Laser therapy is also useful for other treatments like hair loss, pain relief, tumors removal, vision improvement, and more.
When used to treat keloids and other scars, the treatment helps to reduce the scars’ appearance, making them less obvious. This way, a patient won’t have to worry too much about how the scars make them look.
Quick Facts about Laser Treatment
But before we dive deeper into how the process works, here are some laser treatment facts, you should know.
About the treatment
- Although they might not completely remove the keloids, laser treatment for keloids diminishes their visibility significantly. The focused beams remove the outer skin surface, encouraging the growth of new skin cells.
- The treatment can diminish the appearance of even other skin conditions, including warts, age spots, wrinkles, scars.
Is the Treatment Safe?
- The procedure must be done by a certified dermatologist to ensure safety.
- During the procedure, the doctor might use sedation, or topical anesthetic to help numb your skin- whichever they deem suitable.
- Laser treatment might cause minor side effects such as redness, swelling, temporary oozing, or even some pain. However, all these will wane in a few days.
Convenience
- This keloid treatment procedure encounters minimal or no downtime. If correctly done, the healing period is between three and ten days.
How Effectiveness is the Treatment?
- Despite not completely removing the keloid scars, various studies indicate that the procedure significantly minimizes the size and appearance of the keloids, rendering it almost invisible.
Laser Therapy Cautions
- Since the treatment involves light and heat, the dermatologist might discourage using it, especially if your skin is light or heat sensitive. In this case, the doctor will recommend other scar treatment methods like silicone products or surgery.
- If you are taking blood-thinners, your doctor might also advise against the use of laser therapy to treat your keloids or scars.
- Also, if you have skin sores, acne, or darker skin, this treatment might not be the ideal solution for you.
How Does the Laser Treatment for Keloids Work?
Laser therapy is typically designed to help wane the appearance of the keloid. The treatment is not meant to vanish your keloid scars completely, but they will be reduced significantly, making them almost impossible to spot.
But how does the procedure work?
Basically, the procedure aims to smoothen your skin, improving its tone and appearance. It does so by removing the skin’s outer layer, triggering new skin cells growth to repair the damaged skin.
Sometimes the laser rays are directed to the scar tissue’s blood vessels to help reduce redness and fade away the scar. This way, although the keloid or scar is not entirely gone, they are difficult to notice.
Since most of these visible scars are likely to cause physical, emotional, or psychological distress to a person, it’s good to try and treat them as early as possible.
What are the Different Laser Treatment Methods?
According to Dr. Jeremy Brauer MD, board-certified dermatologists in New York, there are different lasers that use different approaches for various scars’ treatment. The doctor treats different patients, with various scar types each day.
“Using the Selective Photothermolysis theory, laser devices are used to target specific skin chromophores including hemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, melanin, and water”
And depending on the type and appearance of a scar, the laser devices will either be used together with other devices or with intralesional agents like antimetabolites and corticosteroids.
The main Laser Treatment Methods include:
1.Ablative Laser
Also called resurfacing lasers, this is a scar removal method that helps to obscure scars’ visibility making them less noticeable. Ablative lasers enable the removal of the external skin layer, eliminating the damaged cells at the surface of your skin.
The most commonly used ablative lasers are those that target water as they are effective in almost every type of scar, including the atrophic and hypertrophic ones.
Your dermatologist might decide to use either an erbium laser or a CO2 laser, depending on your scar’s depth. CO2 lasers are more suitable for deeper scars while the erbium ones are ideal for shallow surface scars.
2.Fractional Lasers (fractioned Resurfacing)
This scar removal method includes laser penetration to the deeper layers of the skin surface. It aims at eliminating the darker pigmented cells of the skin, to help fade the scars.
In addition, fractional lasers can encourage increased production of collagen, as well as new skin regeneration, to help fade your scars even more.
3. Fractional Non-ablative Lasers
The non-ablative lasers were designed to use infrared wavelengths to treat various types of scars. During this procedure, the doctor uses infrared heat rays to penetrate into the deeper skin’s layer. This stimulates cell regeneration, as well as the manufacture of more collagen.
This method of keloid treatment is quite effective, especially with new technology taking foot in the sector. Currently, there are more reports of successful treatments around the globe as doctors adopt the use of new devices such as the “picosecond pulse duration lasers.”
All laser treatment procedures are mostly outpatient, although some scars will need more time to work on than others. The procedure is harmless to the skin, but you might experience some discomfort during the procedure.
4.Laser-Assisted Drug Treatment
Although new in the medical field, this method has shown quite remarkable results in scar treatment. The procedure involves delivering topical drugs like the corticosteroids through the pathways made by fractional laser devices.
With this new approach to laser treatment for keloid, you can expect better results in terms of the agility, appearance, and texture of the scar or keloid.
How much will the Laser Treatment for Keloids Cost You?
Some scars might demand extensive treatments than others, meaning that the type of scar will determine the cost. Mostly the treatment cost averages between $200 and $3,400, according to the University of Michigan.
Also, since these procedures fall under cosmetic and elective treatments, you’ll have to cover the cost from your pocket. Your insurance policy will mostly not include a cover for such.
The main cost determinants for these procedures will include:
- The size of the keloid or scar
- Number of scars that need to be worked on
- The extent of the laser treatment
Also, you should note that some scars might demand several laser treatments to help achieve the needed results. This means that for every treatment, you’ll have to pay.
Comparing prices from different dermatologists will be a wise move to help you get the best deal. Some clinics will charge considerably more than others based on factors like location and services.
Therefore, make sure that you do thorough research before settling on one dermatologist.
Laser Treatment for Keloids: Crucial Things You Should Know Before the Procedure
1.Laser Treatment Isn’t the Ultimate Solution to Your Keloids
Although the treatment will fade the keloids to unnoticeable levels, it doesn’t completely eliminate the keloid. However, their results are remarkable in comparison to many other scar removal treatments.
What will laser treatment do?
- Inhibit the formation of elevated scars after surgery
- Increase mobility
- Reduce pain and itchiness
After laser treatment, your once conspicuous keloid will no longer be a problem – you’ll no longer even notice that you have it.
2.The Success of this Treatment Entirely Depends on the Skills of Your Doctor
When the procedure is done by a certified dermatologist, you are almost certain of success. A certified practitioner guarantees safety during the procedure, and you can rely on their skills and expertise.
Although some dermatologists will still exhibit better skills than others, the worst thing is seeking the services of a quack or an unqualified person. This poses more risks than benefits to your health.
3.Always Seek Medical Consultation First
Don’t rush into seeking laser treatment before proper prior medical consultations. Don’t allow anyone to treat your keloids or any other scar before offering medical consultations.
Ensure that your dermatologist is fully aware of any medications you’re currently using, to guarantee informed advice. This is necessary as you might need to halt the intake of some, for the effectiveness of the laser treatment.
Key Takeaway: Laser Treatment for Keloids
Keloid scars affect more than just the skin. In most cases, they also tend to impact the emotional and psychological aspects of a person. Laser treatment for keloids provides an effective way to escape this problem. Consult your dermatologist and see which laser treatment is best for your skin.
And, if you wish to consult on other scar removal methods like the effective, friendly, and safe Silicone treatments, AWMed is here for you.
