Since it’s in such a visible spot, people often ask me about the scar on my wrist. It’s a keloid, a type of scar that continues to “heal” itself. Aside from just looking yucky, it can also get itchy or painful as the skin tightens. Keloids tend to be more common in those with darker pigments but people that are super light can get them too. These can develop from wounds or from surgical incisions and the ways of treating keloids is limited.
Treating Keloids
I happened to have had a ganglion cyst that was removed on my wrist. Sadly, I ended up trading that bump for a keloid scar. I had a feeling that would happen as I also have one on my back from a zit gone wrong. Cortisone shots are an option if the keloids are really bad but those hurt a ton (a family member used to get them every so often). They can also be surgically removed but it’s possible a new one will just form in its place. In my case, they’re just something I have to deal with.
I was sent a few tubes of ScarAway to try out. The idea of putting silicon on the scar to make it less noticeable is not something new to me. Years ago I did research on this and even tried out these silicon pads. The problem with those was the fact that they were difficult to keep on and that the adhesive used contained latex, a product I’m allergic to.
ScarAway is a thick liquid that’s to be applied in a thin layer and left to dry. This is to be on twice daily. On the packaging, it says that a minimum of 30-60 days is needed. Also, since these are old scars, they’ll likely require even more time to be affected.
My scars seem to be lightening but the difference is very slight. However, I have only been using ScarAway for a couple of weeks and not as much as I should be (crazy busy lately). So, I am hopeful ScarAway will help but more time is really needed to see if it works. I’ll let you know how it goes in a couple of months!
14 comments
Hi TerriAnn,
I came across your page while researching cures for keloids on Google. I, too, have a keloid problem. I have one on my shoulder back that looks exactly like yours and one right below my collarbone on my chest – both very visible spots when wearing certain clothing especially now that it is summer.
Having you been continuing with the ScarAway and how are the results now?
I’m considering purchasing the gel as well as the silicone sheets. No one in my family has a problem with keloids and my mother is convinced that there is no cure for it so the best solution is to not treat it at all. In spite of that, I still went to see a renowned plastic surgeon and got a cortisone shot – the keloids flattened a bit at first, but grew larger again. Feeling at a crossroads here, but very interested to learn more about keloid prevention/potential treatment that I don’t know about. Keep me posted!
– T
Hi, T. Thanks for coming by. I have to admit that I haven’t been able to continue recently – just too busy and overwhelmed by life. I was told that the effects would not be as significant or as fast since my keloids are years old. They’re better on newer ones. Also, I’m not sure about this company, but I did try some from another. They were so thick and awkward and kept falling off. They caused more irritation than healing. The cortisone shots do wear off but, from what others experience, they did not grow larger than before.
I totally get your frustration. I get asked ALL OF THE TIME what happened on my wrist. Sadly, keloids are not easily treated. If the keloids begin to hurt (since they’re basically scar tissue that continuously over-heals) there is also an option for surgery to remove them. There is the risk of scars from that. Or, thought the keloids came back after the shot, did it lessen sensitivity or pain that you might have had previously?
Hi TerriAnn,
Just wondering how your scars look? I had a C section 10 months ago and unfortunately my scar turned into a keloid. I started the silicon pads from Scar Away a week ago and still waiting for results. Would you say the gel would be more effective than the pads?
I only noticed a slight difference so I stopped using it. Basically, what you see in the photo is as good as it got. My keloids are old and super dark though. I’m not sure about the pads since I only used the gel. I did use silicon pads from another brand but those kept falling off. I’m sorry. I hope you find something that works for you. If you do, please report back and let me know!
I have one on my knee it is bigger and purple. I have had it for a month and have been using scar away bandages 24 hours a day and it looks worse! What do I do?
Gah! Oh no! I stopped using them because they didn’t really do much but I never had that reaction. I’m not a dermatologist/doctor so I can’t give you any advice. That sounds horrible though and you might want to get it checked out by a professional!
Ok thank you. Do you know why it itches though?
No, I don’t. Sorry. Maybe you’re allergic/sensitive to the materials used in the strips though. I know I can’t use anything with latex since I’m allergic so maybe you can’t handle the silicon or the adhesive. Also, my keloids itch a lot when the skin is dry so I have to put lotion on regularly. I really hope you are able to figure out what happened and that, at least, the reaction goes away!
Cortisone injections are the best to treat old keloid, anything else do not work.
One of my relatives used to get those. The shots did help but they were painful. Unfortunately, for me, these didn’t leave lasting results after the initial change.
I have 3. And they hurt ,itch
Oh no! I have two major ones and I have the same problem. I only wish these worked past the first couple days of promising relief!
Have you ever used Kelo-Cote Scar Gel? How was it? I was looking for something to help with the physical color of it. I have one right in the center of my chest (10 years ago) and I’ve gotten laser treatment and cortisone injections and my keloid is relatively flat but it’s still a pinkish/red color.
I have not – sorry. Even with this, I only used it for a bit because, after a little relief and lessened swelling initially, it didn’t do much and I stopped using it. I’d love to find something that helps with the coloring too!
Comments are closed.