What are Keloids

If there is something worse than an acne scar, it has to be keloids. Keloids are in simple words an overgrowth of skin tissue. The excessive skin tissue occurs from deposition of collagen beyond the edges of the injury.

The new skin that grows is out of control, its boundaries and shape are not regulated by the normal body systems. Keloids are scar tissue that has grown beyond the boundary of the normal skin. In almost all cases, keloids appear as irregular, large skin folds that continue to enlarge with time.

Once a keloid has occurred, it very rarely disappears on its own. Most attempts to treat keloids by surgery actually worsen the appearance and promote more growth.

Keloids generally occur after trauma or surgery. In the majority of cases, keloids are first seen after a surgery procedure. The skin which grows back is always thick, raised, irregular and cosmetically very unattractive.

Keloids may also occur after body piercing, burns, tattoos and even a minor skin abrasion.

Why keloids occur is not fully understood, except that the skin growth becomes highly unregulated and disordered.

Keloids are most common in

- Blacks

- Dark skinned individuals

- Asians

Keloids can occur in all age groups and both genders. Caucasians generally do not form keloids.

There are instances where keloids tend to run in families. However, not all individuals in one family will develop keloids and this puzzling feature is not understood. Also it is impossible to predict who will and who won't develop keloids in a family.

No body part is immune from keloids but they do tend to occur on

- any surgery incision site

- pierced ears

- chest

- shoulders

- back

Keloids are rare on the face but may develop on any incision or injury to the face.

Any individual, who has developed keloids once for whatever reason, must know that he/she is prone to developing more keloids. So these individuals must avoid any unnecessary procedures like body piercing or tattooing-as the chance of keloid is likely.

When it comes to keloids, prevention is crucial, because current treatments are often not completely successful and may not work at all.