Keloid is an abnormal overgrowth of scar tissue. It can occur after surgery or injury, but it’s most common in people exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, like wearing a tanning bed. This can also happen if you’re exposed to certain chemicals, such as those found in certain hair dyes or tanning beds. If you have a history of keloid, it can return after the initial wound has healed. This might be because the old scar tissue could never have died or because the process of the initial injury helped it grow faster. Whatever the reason, take steps to prevent future keloid recurrence. Perhaps the most important thing you can do is protect your skin from future UV exposure.
See below for some simple ways to get rid of keloid for good.
Keep your skin dry
If you’re prone to getting keloid, the best way to prevent it is to keep your skin dry. Dry, rough patches of skin are more likely to develop a keloid. Try to keep your skin as smooth and soft as possible by avoiding rough laundry and towels and rubbing and scratching. If you accidentally cut yourself, clean the cut as soon as possible, especially if it’s on your feet or hands. Avoid dry, dirty bandages on the wound to prevent the surrounding skin from getting even drier.
Wear loose, light-colored clothing
Keloid often occurs in darker-skinned people, but there’s no evidence that it’s related to your skin color. Protect your skin is wearing loose clothes. The lighter the color, the better. Avoid wearing dark colors, as these can make your skin stay darker and thus more likely to be damaged.
If you can, wear clothes made of synthetic materials, such as polyester or acrylic. Avoid wearing clothes made of cotton, wool, or other natural materials, as they’re much more likely to cause damage.
Use a sunscreen
Always apply sunscreen to your face, neck, and other areas with a high skin surface area before going out in the sun. Use sunscreen with an SPF. Always re-apply sunscreen every two hours. It’s especially important to re-apply sunscreen after swimming or sweating, as the sun’s rays are stronger in these situations. Going out in the sun for hours? Consider using a parasol or other shade. The sun’s rays could damage your skin even more if you don’t.
Protect the scar from UV exposure
Cover it with a waterproof bandage as soon as the wound on your skin is healed. Ideally, the bandage should be one that you can remove easily. This will help protect the wound from the sun’s rays. You should only remove the bandage when necessary, such as when it’s time to shower or swim. Another way to protect the wound is to keep it covered with a plastic bag. Ideally, the bag should have a clip to easily attach it to a shopping cart or wheelchair.
Get a massage
Massages have been shown to decrease inflammation, one of the leading causes of damaged skin. If you have a massage therapist, ask them if it’s okay to use your hands as part of the massage.
Get a Keloid Surgery
If you’ve had a keloid for a long time, it might be time for Keloid surgery. This procedure targets the old scar tissue causing you so much pain. The most common keloid surgical procedure is a TPLO or total plantar-protrusion surgery; learn more. A surgeon cuts out the most inflamed part of the old scar tissue, usually on the foot.
Exfoliate and moisturize
Exfoliating your skin helps remove dead skin and helps prevent a build-up of bacteria and oil. It can also help get rid of excess scar tissue on your skin, which can help prevent keloid recurrence. Some people recommend washing your body with mild soap and water and rinsing with a gentle cleanser. If you’re prone to keloid, you may want to splurge on a body scrub or gel shower gel with anti-scarring ingredients, like salicylic acid or retinol.
As for moisturizing, there are plenty of options. You can use traditional body creams and lotions or make your concoction with 100% pure essential oils. Essential oils can have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, and they can be used to treat a wide range of skin conditions.
Cut out the chemicals.
Chemicals in hair dyes, makeup, fragrances, and sunscreens can cause keloid scarring. To prevent this, you’ll want to cut out chemical-based products. This means no more foundation, no more nail polish, and no more hair dye. You can also consider removing these products from your home, as well. If you must use a chemical product, you can use a natural product that has a similar ingredient to the one you’re trying to avoid. For example, if you’re trying to avoid fragrances, use a natural moisturizer instead. You can also buy chemical-free beauty products, such as these organic body lotions and natural makeup removers to help cut down on chemical exposure.
Don’t Scrape Yourself.
Self-injury is a common cause of keloid scarring. Scraping yourself, scratching yourself, biting yourself, or doing anything likely to damage your skin can result in scarring. If you need to scratch an itch, don’t do it on a scar. Instead, use toilet paper or a clean towel.
Keloid is painful scarring that can result from injury or surgery. It’s common among people with darker skin tones and those exposed to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Prevent this condition by keeping your skin dry and wearing loose, light-colored clothing and sunscreen with a high SPF. You can also protect the scar from UV exposure by covering it with a waterproof bandage. For a permanent solution, you can get Keloid surgery, which targets old scar tissue causing you pain
