Hypertrophic and keloid scars are treated quite successfully at Lasermed. Depending on the scar and the dermatologist’s assessment, we may use the Vascular Laser or Fractional Resurfacing Laser.
Hypertrophic scars
Hypertrophic
scars are scars with too much growth. This leads to thick, raised lesions on
the skin. Sometimes there may be a collagen overproduction. And generally, they
occur in all racial groups.
Hypertrophic
scars are more common in areas of the body where the skin is taut, such as your
back, chest, shoulders, upper arms, elbows and other joints. However, hypertrophic
scars can occur anywhere on your skin where you’ve had a skin injury or wound.
Keloids
Keloids
on the other hand, are raised, reddish nodules that develop at the site of an
injury. After a wound has occurred, both skin cells and connective tissue cells
(fibroblasts) begin multiplying to repair the damage. With keloids, the
fibroblasts continue to multiply even after the wound is filled in. Thus
keloids project above the skin surface, forming large mounds of scar tissue. They’re
most likely to appear on the upper chest, shoulders and upper back. Symptoms
include pigmentation, itchiness, redness, unusual sensations and pain.
Luckily
keloids are mainly a cosmetic nuisance and never become malignant. Unfortunately,
they’re notoriously difficult to treat, with recurrences commonly seen. People
who have a family history of keloids have a higher rate of recurrence after
treatment.
Treatments
Knowing the reasoning behind the differences of hypertrophic and keloid scars is crucial to the scar treatment process. Most scar products and treatments are done to reverse the process that resulted in the scarring. So if you have a hypertrophic scar, the treatment would aim to reduce collagen production and possibly kill excess skin cells.
The
goals of hypertrophic scar treatment are to flatten, soften, reduce the size,
lighten the colour and ease any existing pain and itch of your scar.
Long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers or pulsed dye lasers are commonly used to treat hypertrophic scars and keloids. Lasers often target blood vessels in the scar to prevent scar growth. They also can lighten the red or pink colour, as well as reducing pain, itchiness and hardness.
A
fractionated laser may be used to put microscopic holes in the scar to soften
it and tell it to remodel. This is particularly good for scars that may limit
range of motion over joints or haven’t responded to other methods.
Photo: myatlantichealthsolutions.com
