Everybody knows how scars are formed, but did you know that there were several different classifications of them? Have you ever suffered from the kind of scar called a keloid? If so, you know how bad they can be cosmetically. The scar called a keloid is one of the more severe scars that can strike someone. Many people therefore look for ways to diminish and remove them. Let's begin by looking at some Q&A's, investigate what is it that makes this scar unique, and see some possible treatment and removal possiblities.

The Definition of a Keloid?

The difference between a keloid scar and other types of scars is that it grows beyond the site of the original wound. This outgrowth is irregularly shaped and is likely to enlarge progressively. Their color and texture result in a smooth and shiny pink or purple and they are mainly dome shaped. While all other scars decrease in size over time, keloids continue to grow while not subsiding in size. Many people for this reason choose to do whatever they can to diminish them or ride themselves of them all together.

What Causes the Formation of a Keloid?

The medical field has not determined the exact cause of keloid scars, but it is believed to involve the body's cellular signals that have to do with skin growth. The keloid scar biologically is a fibrotic tumor. It consists of atypical fibroblasts that overproduce mainly collagen but also elastin and proteoglycans. So far the laboratory studies to determine what it is that causes the atypical fibroblast outgrowth and the reason for its overproduction of these compenents have failed to pinpoint exactly why it all takes place.

What are the Prevention Possibilities?

Naturally you should be happy to read that the best prevention route to avoid contracting keloid scars is...to not get one in the first place. Ones who have a high probability at being prone to keloid scars are those with high pigmentation in their skin and those whose family line has a history of contracting the scar. A person finding themselves with one or more of these traits would do best to try to avoid elective cosmetic surgeries and ear piercings as all incisions are a possible starting point to the formation of keloids.

What Are the Keloid Scar Removal Options?

The following options are what is available for keloid scar treatment:

- Injecting Cortisone: The cortisone injections are administered one time monthly until the patient ends up with their desired outcome for the keloid scar. While these injections are known to flatten out the scar, they initiate blood vessel formations which cause them to have a more pronounced redness.

- The Option of Surgery: The irony with this option is that while it can completely eliminate the raised scar, it produces a fresh wound afterwards that has all the traits of forming another keloid scar.

- The Option of Laser Therapy: To lessen the redness of the scar while also diminishing its size, laser therapy has proven an effective treatment plan to successfully achieve these objectives. There are some formidable negatives to this treatment however. The cost of laser therapy runs in the thousands of dollars. It requries multiple sessions and there is a substantial possibility it will not be covered by your health insurance.

- Cryotherapy Treatment: How this works is liquid nitrogen freezes the keloid scar. Once frozen the doctor can take off the scar from your skin. The after effect of cryotherapy is a dark skin spot replacing the section where the keloid had been located.

What About Naturally Treating Keloid Scars?

Keloid scars applied with natural treatments are benefitted by components that regenerate skin cells. The right way to ultimately treat keloids using natural skin products is to find those that contain a special ingredient. The ingredient Helix Aspersa Muller has the ability for regulation of the natural processes of the healing of skin and the formation of scars. Cellular communications that restore healthy skin structures are initiated by the regenerative properties of this famous ingredient.