Hello and thank you for your question. Thebest advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation. Some patients benefit from excision of keloids. Make sure youspecifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who havehad this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate theirresults. The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you arecomfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualifiedboard-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.Best wishes and good luck.Richard G. Reish, M.D.Harvard-trained plastic surgeon
Thank you for your question. It is best to get an in-person evaluation to determine the best treatment for your specific case. I have successfully treated keloids in my office and tend to favor the less-invasive procedures to mitigate the risk of developing other keloids. Unfortunately, there is no cure for these lesions. If you are prone, you must be careful with your skin for the remainder of your life. Initial methods of treatment involve injecting a corticosteroid called kenalog (5-40mg per ml) to reduce the size of the keloid. For larger more persistent keloids, I inject Kenalog mixed with a very effective cutaneous chemotherapy drug called fluorouacil (5FU). 5FU is a medication that is used to shrink tumors, eradicate precancerous lesions and skin cancers. It has also been a remarkable medication when injected directly into a keloid. Treatment options for thickened, red and more hypertrophic scars include using a vascular laser to flatten the scar and remove the redness. These treatment options can take 5-10 sessions, spaced over 4 weeks apart.Keloids can sometimes be surgically excised but there is a risk for developing an additional larger keloid. However, surgical removal on the ear lobe is an excellent method in treating and eradicating keloids.Best,Ariel Ostad MD PC
