Treating and Preventing Annoying Keloid Scars on the Buttocks

Understanding Keloid Scars on the Buttocks

Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that occur where the skin has healed after an injury. They form dense, rubbery lesions that grow beyond the original wound and do not regress over time like regular scars.

The buttocks are one of the most common sites for keloids since they experience a lot of friction and stretching from daily movement. Trauma from injuries, surgery, piercings, burns, acne, and injections can also trigger keloids on the buttocks.

Symptoms of Keloids on the Buttocks

Keloids on the buttocks cause symptoms like:

• A round or oval-shaped smooth, shiny lesion
• A firm, rubbery texture
• Lesions that grow larger than the original wound
• Itchy, painful, or tender growths
• A change in texture compared to surrounding skin
• Skin discoloration - either lighter or darker

Causes & Risk Factors

Doctors dont know the exact cause of keloids, but contributing factors include:

• Genetics - family history of too much collagen production
• Hormones - keloids often develop during puberty and pregnancy
• Race - higher risk for Black, Hispanic, and Asian people
• Skin trauma - surgery, body piercings, tattoos, burns, etc.
• Tension on wound - butt skin is constantly stretching
• Prior keloids make you prone to more

Diagnosing Butt Keloids

To correctly diagnose a suspected keloid on your buttocks, a dermatologist will:

Take Your Medical History

Information needed includes:

• Family history of keloids
• Past keloids youve had
• What originally injured the skin site
• If lesion changes over time - grows, becomes painful, etc.

Exam the Lesion

Inspecting characteristics helps determine if a growth fits criteria for keloids such as:

• Originated from injured skin - not a new wound
• Grows larger than original injury over time
• Stays within boundary of injury site
• Doesnt regress or shrink on its own

Biopsy

Taking a skin sample examines cells under a microscope. Extra collagen and thick, dense connective tissue confirms a diagnosis of keloids.

Treatment Options for Butt Keloids

Various treatments aim to flatten and shrink lesions by destroying collagen-producing cells. Keloids are stubborn, often recurring after treatment, requiring patience and persistence.

Steroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections into the keloid every 4 to 6 weeks reduces inflammation and collagen growth. This common first line treatment helps control symptoms, but recurrence is common once injections stop.

Cryotherapy

Freezing keloids with liquid nitrogen every few weeks causes lesions to slough off. The intense cold damages the extra collagen responsible for growths. Redness, pain, and blistering may occur.

Silicone Gel Sheets & Ointments

Silicone products worn over keloids 12+ hours a day compress and flatten lesions by hydrating skin. Continued use often prevents new growths in treated areas.

Compression Therapy

Custom compression garments worn over keloids for months exert pressure to soften and reduce lesions. This compresses blood vessels to curb collagen formation.

Radiation Therapy

Focused radiation aiming to destroy excessive fibroblast cells and thus lessen keloid activity. Treatments occur a few times weekly for several weeks. Use is limited by cancer risk fears.

Cryosurgery

Alternating liquid nitrogen freezing and thawing kills pathological skin cells when lesions are frozen. Allowing blood flow between freezing cycles reduces tissue damage in nearby areas.

Laser Therapy

Laser light targets blood vessels and destroys keloid fibroblasts and collagen, shrinking the lesion. Treatments every few weeks continue until satisfactory flattening, though may not fully eradicate.

Interferon Injections

Interferons inhibit collagen synthesis. Injected into keloids a few times a week for several weeks, sometimes with steroids. Causes flu-like side effects.

Chemical Peels

Applying acid solutions induces a controlled burn to damage skin and remove keloids. The healing process allows healthier tissue to regrow. Use is limited by pain and scarring risk.

Surgical Excision

Cutting away keloids is controversial since this often causes them to aggressively return worse than before. Excision requires meticulous technique followed by radiation, steroid shots, and/or pressure.

Home Remedies & Lifestyle Tips

Non-medical remedies help minimize irritation and inflammation to prevent keloids getting more angry and active. Try:

• Aloe vera gel - reduces redness & itching
• Vitamin E oil - anti-inflammatory antioxidant
• Coconut oil - anti-microbial & soothing
• Onion extract - improves collagen production
• Turmeric paste - anti-inflammatory & healing
• Cold compresses - shrinks blood vessels
• Loose, breathable clothing - prevents friction

Avoid skin trauma including shaving, waxing, piercings, tattoos, etc. on sites prone to keloids. Reduce skin tension from tight bras, bands, or waistbands rubbing lesions.

Preventing Keloids on the Buttocks

Once youve had a keloid, you are at higher risk for more. Preventive measures after injury or surgery include:

Apply Gentle Tension

Butterfly bandages bring wound edges together. Silicone tape stretches skin gently. Both reduce wound tension that triggers overzealous healing.

Use Adhesive Strips

Steri-Strip skin closures realign wound edges, protect injuries, and discourage thick, raised scars.

Try Compression

Compressing a wound site with silicone gel sheeting encourages collagen fibers to orient parallel to the skin surface not perpendicular.

Apply Onion Extract Gel

Onion extract gel helps wounds heal evenly without overdoing collagen. Research shows onions improve cosmetic outcomes for surgical scars.

Consider Injections

Discuss steroid shots or interferon injections with your doctor soon after any skin trauma to interrupt the cascade of runaway collagen formation.

Prompt intervention when you injure your buttocks gives you the best chance to avoid painful, frustrating keloids.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.