Corticosteroid Injection
Keloids form when overzealous skin cells grow in disorganised bundles of protein as your body recovers from the wound. When the healing mechanism in your skin becomes excessive after an injury, an overgrown scar develops, causing it to become raised. Sometimes, these keloids can grow bigger and wider than the original injury. The problem can range from being very mild, to being more serious, causing discomfort and inconvenience. Keloids are not common, but are more likely to form in people with dark skin tone.
Doctors believe that hereditary factors play a key role in formation of keloids. Some people are more prone to getting them after an injury as compared to others.
You may be likely to develop keloids if:
• You have a darker skin tone i.e. Black, Latino, Malays or Indians
• You have a history of keloids in your family
• You are pregnant
• You are going through puberty
Unfortunately, keloids are permanent scars that won’t go away on its own. In fact, it may continue to grow for weeks and months. They may eventually stop growing at some point, but they do not fade away or subside on its own.
Corticosteroids are commonly used to reduce the size and appearance of keloids due to their potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue that form due to an excessive healing response after skin injuries, surgeries, or inflammation. Corticosteroid injections, particularly triamcinolone acetonide, are a popular treatment option for managing keloids.
Benefits:
• Reduce appearance of keloid on your body
• Soften and shrink the scar tissue
How does it work?
Fibroblasts are the cells responsible for producing collagen, the protein that forms scar tissue. In keloids, fibroblasts become overactive, leading to excessive collagen deposition. Corticosteroids suppress the activity of fibroblasts, which reduces the production of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix that contribute to the bulkiness of keloid scars.
Corticosteroid injections, usually triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog), are administered directly into the keloid using a fine needle. The procedure is usually performed in multiple sessions, typically spaced 4-6 weeks apart, depending on the size and thickness of the keloid.
After treatment, the keloid will usually become flatter, softer, and less noticeable. The color of the keloid may also lighten over time. In some cases, the keloid can be reduced significantly or even flattened entirely.
People who are troubled with unsightly visible keloid scars or experience inconvenience or discomfort shall benefit from keloid corticosteroid injection treatment.
The number of injections required varies based on the size and location of the keloid. In most cases, 3-4 sessions are needed for noticeable reduction, but larger or older keloids may require more treatments.
It depends on several factors such as the size and location of the keloid. It also depends on how the scar responds to the treatment. In general, scar treatments take several months to see visible results.