Keloid

Dear Dr. Jen,

I would like to inquire what treatment options are available to remove a keloid scar.  The scar is about a quarter of an inch in diameter in size.  Also, what would the cost of treatment be?

Wendy

Dear Wendy,

Keloid is a scar tissue that looks firm and irregularly shaped.  It is usually caused by a cut, laceration, acne, insect bite or chicken pox.  Cutting it out would likely lead to more keloid formation.

A growing keloidal scar can feel itchy, tender to touch and some pain or discomfort. The fastest and easiest treatment for keloid is to have them injected with steroid. Since your scar is only a quarter of an inch in size, treatment would be quick, easy and inexpensive.

Most likely it would cost less than a thousand pesos. For steroid injections to be effective, it may take more than one session to do it.  You can expect softening, flattening, and lightening of the scar even after one to two sessions. You can ask your nearest PDS dermatologist for treatments.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I always have insect bites which then turn into scars.  It takes long for them to lighten and some are thick.  I tried using contractubex and hydroxyl lotion and it didn’t work.  It makes me conscious of how my scar looks.  What is the best and fastest way to lighten the scars?  And how much would such a treatment cost?

Gianne

Dear Gianne,

New scars are the most responsive to treatment, compared to, say, scars that have been around for five or more years. Dark scars are also simply treated with vitamin C, licorice, arbutin, tretinon, hydroquinone and the likes.  It may take a few weeks of application for scars to respond.  If you have a deadline and want your skin looking flawless really fast, lasers and chemical peels will do the trick.

Chemical peels are done twice a week and may cost from P500 to P5000 depending on how big the areas involved are.  Same thing with lasers, the treatment cost is also dependent on the laser used and the area of skin being treated.  Generally for chemical peels, three to six sessions may be necessary.  As for lasers, one to four sessions will do the trick.

If you are prone to getting insect bites, plan to bring insect repellent during your next outdoor activity.  And once you get bitten, applying anti-inflammatory immediately will prevent the bites from getting red and dark.  Hope this helps!

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with the Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). Information on PDS is at www.pds.org.ph. Questions or concerns regarding the skin may be sent by text to 0932 857 7070 or emailed to [email protected]; or coursed thru The Freeman – (032) 2531276, or thru PSH – (032) 2338620 and 2325929. Inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.