What are keloids?

Keloids are an over growth of scar tissue. Anytime skin is injured, cut, burnt or traumatized, the result is a scar. In most people, the scar is limited. However, in some people the scar continues to have exaggerated growth. Keloids commonly occur after tattoos, ear piercing, acne, ingrown hair and even minor trauma. In most cases, the trauma is so minor that one does not realize it and yet the body’s response is an ugly-looking large scar. However, the most common cause of keloids is after surgery. Keloids usually appear raised, thick, irregular and always have a poor cosmetic appearance.

Who is prone to keloids?

African American, Asians and Middle Easterners are prone to Keloids. Why this occurs is not understood. These same individuals also have a tendency to have recurrent Keloids.

How does one treat keloids

No matter what any doctor or surgeon claims, Keloids are very difficult to treat. Despite the glut of treatments, there is no satisfactory treatment and in fact, the majority of available treatments make Keloids appear worse than the original scar.

One of the most common treatments for Keloids is injection of potent corticosteroids into the scar tissue. The number of injections vary but most individuals require at least 3-6 injections spaced over 4-6 months. The success rate of corticosteroids is about 50-60 percent. The results are better for small scars but at least 40% see no benefit.

Surgical removal of Keloids is the least recommended treatment. In almost all cases, the resultant scar is many times worse than before. Other treatments include laser, compression garments, electrodessication (heating) and cryotherapy (cooling). Except for laser, none of the other treatments work well. Even though the laser does work, there is no guarantee that the Keloid will not come back. On average about 50-70 percent of individuals do see some benefit from laser. While laser is the preferred treatment, it is also very expensive, painful and there is no guarantee that it will work.

In the last decade, novel dressings and compression garments have also been used to treat Keloids. However, these treatments do not work instantly and have to be applied for long periods. In addition, these treatments are very expensive and the results are mediocre at best.

A relatively new treatment for Keloids has been the use of drugs like imiquimod, bleomycin or interferon. These potent drugs work by stopping cell growth and decrease size of scar. However, very few reports exist about efficacy of these treatments. Moreover, these chemicals also have nasty side effects that include burning, stinging and intense pain. These last resort treatments should only be done when all other treatment modalities have failed.

Final Point

Anyone with Keloids who wants treatment should avoid surgery at all costs. If you do undergo any type of treatment, be realistic and start with corticosteroid injections. If that fails, search for a competent health professional who has experience with the more invasive methods and is affordable.

Dark Circles Underneath the Eyes- 101 part 5

Other methods

Lasers: Lasers are used to treat almost everything in medicine. The cosmetic surgeons are now advocating lasers for baggy eyes and dark circles. The answer is simple- do not go for it. Lasers near the eye are very risky and there are many complications. The majority of testimonials on cyberspace about lasers claim it is very painful and in fact worsens the condition. Lasers are also very expensive and not worth the hassle.

Medications: There are a few topical medications that can narrow blood vessels and lighten dark circles. However, these vasoconstrictors are temporary, have a lot of side effects, and are generally never prescribed for baggy eyes.

Bleaching agents: There are some fools who sell bleaching agents to treat dark circles. the sad thing is that there are bigger fools who buy such products. Bleaching agents and eyes do not make good partners. Plus, bleaching agents do not help erase dark circles.

Surgery: Today, eye surgeons can help remove excess fat that causes baggy eyes. The surgery is relatively easy and produces decent results. However, surgery should never be first choice therapy for baggy eyes or dark circles.

Final point

Dark circles and baggy eyes are not a pleasant feature on the face and it is understandable why one seeks treatment. Anyone seeking care from a cosmetologist or a physician should note that there is nothing that works 100% for this disorder. Be prepared to spend countless hundreds and perhaps thousands of dollars. There are many scams and shams when it comes to treatment of dark circles underneath the eyes. Ask questions, get a referral, read about the condition, avoid doctors who recommend laser or invasive procedures and never go for surgery as a first choice treatment

Dark Circles Underneath the Eyes- 101 part 3

So what is cure for dark circles around the eyes?

For the consumer it is vital to understand that despite hundreds of treatments advocated by cosmetic surgeons, dark circles are completely benign. This skin disorder is not life threatening and is only of cosmetic concern. The treatment of dark circles under the eyes starts with self-care remedies at home.

Self-care

Care of dark circles at home is relatively inexpensive, easy, and simple.

Cold compress. Individuals who suddenly develop baggy eyes and dark circles may try application of a cold compress. One can take some ice chips, place them in a plastic bag, wrap a soft cloth around it, and apply it to the eye. Ice can rapidly reduce swelling and skin discoloration. One can even try to use ice-chilled tea bags as a cold compress.

Elevate the head. When baggy eyes and dark circles develop after a long night of partying or lack of sleep, one can reduce the swelling and puffiness by sleeping with the head elevated. Individuals who routinely develop baggy eyes should also try sleeping with the head elevated on a couple of pillows.

Catch up on sleep. Many individual develop tired looking eyes with dark discoloration when they do not get enough sleep. The shadows and hollow eyed features can be significantly reduced by avoiding sleepless nights. Adequate sleep alone can make a big difference in the aesthetic appearance of an individual

Sunglasses. When dark circles develop underneath eyes, the discoloration can get worse with sun exposure. In addition, in some individuals, the dark circles are quite prominent and unattractive; in such cases, one can wear dark sunglasses. For individuals who go out into the sun to tan, a sunscreen is highly recommended. The sunscreen protects skin and the suntan can help hide the dark circles

age spots part 2

Are age spots treatments permanent?

No, age spots can recur after any treatment.

How does one prevent age spots?

Prevention is a lot easier than a cure. If one avoids the sun, age spots can be prevented.

What other conditions look like an age spot?

Asides from cosmetics, one major reason why an individual may seek advice from a health care professional is to ensure that the skin lesion is not a cancer. Other skin conditions can mimic an age spot. Moles, various skin cancers, seborrhea keratosis and even some types of melanomas can appear very similar to age spots.

How is the diagnosis of age spot made?

While one can make a diagnosis by looking at the skin lesion, even a physician can mistake an age spot for a skin cancer.

Who should get treatments for age spots?

If there is certainty that the lesion is not a cancer and does not bother the individual, it can be left alone. For those who find the lesion cosmetically unacceptable, bleaching is one way to hide the spot. There are various chemical peels that can also be used to diminish the age spot. For those who want the age spot removed, one can use a laser to destroy the spot.

What is cryotherapy?

Cryotherapy is another way to remove the age spot- a small amount of liquid nitrogen is applied on the age spot 1-2 times a week and over a few weeks the lesion will disappear. Cryotherapy can also cause scarring.

How does dermabrasion remove age spots?

Dermabrasion is one of the oldest treatments for age spots- it basically involves sanding/polishing down the lesion. The superficial skin layer is removed and replaced by new youthful looking skin.

Does laser work for age spots?

Of all the treatments, laser is the most effective but also the most expensive.

To prevent age spots, it is best to wear a sunscreen when going out. One should also wear protective clothing and a wide brim hat. Today, there are even clothing available with special fabrics that can reflect back the UV light.

Final point

Age spots do not need any treatment unless one has problems with aesthetics.