If internal or external tissues are fractured in any way, be it from a cut, scratch, acne, bite, burn, or surgery, our body's automatic reaction is to increase its collagen production in order to create a protective scar that will assist in healing the wound.

Most scars gradually fade, however, keloid scars are different. As described by Indy Rihal, of the Birish Skin Foundation "A keloid scar is an overgrown scar that can spread outside the original area of skin damage...(they) are shiny and hairless, they're raised above the surrounding skin, and can feel hard and rubbery," and their presence can last for years.

PEOPLE IN THE HIGH RISK CATEGORY

In the view of Rihal, "People with dark skin get keloids much more easily than people with fairer skin, and it is common in people with black skin! They're most common between the ages of 10 and 30, and can run in families. Burns, acne scars and wounds that get infected are particularly likely to form keloids, and you're at higher risk of getting a keloid scar if you have had one before."

REDUCING THE RISK

There is no clear method of completely avoiding keloid scars, however, choosing not to pierce or tattoo your skin assists greatly. It is also wise to avoid any cosmetic surgery and to have severe acne breakouts treated medically in order to avoid potential scars.

TREATING KELOIDS

There are a range of treatment options available that assist in flattening keloid scars but success is not always guaranteed. Some such procedures include: steroid injections, covering scars with steroid-impregnated tape, applying silicone sheets, freezing the keloids with liquid nitrogen, laser treatment, and surgical removal. The problem is that most of these methods are intrusive, expensive, and only deal with the existing scar tissue, therefore doing little to limit future outbreaks.

THE BEST TREATMENT INVOLVES NATURAL PRODUCTS

More and more people are now looking to treating keloid scars with natural products due to the fact that they are not as expensive, free of side effects, and are successful in curbing the progress of future scar tissue.

This is in part due to the application of ingredients such as Helix Aspersa Muller glycoconjugates, which expedite the regeneration of healthy skin cells as well as increasing skin elasticity, due to their high collagen count and near identical cell structure to human skin.

Butterbur Herb (Petasites japonicus) extracts are another natural keloid warrior that is effective in the minimization of mast cell degranulation and histamine, two elements essential for alleviating the discomfort, itching, and irritation that comes with keloid scars. Extracts of the Elder Tree (Sambucus nigra L.) are another integral ingredient in limiting future keloid scars as they are full of natural anti-inflammatory properties.