Understanding Keloid Scars on the Chest
Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that extend beyond the original skin injury site. They can form anywhere on the body after trauma, but often develop on the chest due to acne wounds, piercings, surgical procedures or burns in this area.
Chest keloids range in size from small to significantly large growths. They may start developing shortly after the initial wound or can form months later. These abnormal scars can cause pain, itching, inflammation, restricted movement and negative self-image.
What Causes Chest Keloids?
Doctors do not fully understand exactly why some people form keloids more readily than others. However, research suggests genetics play a central role.
Individuals with darker skin tones have a higher tendency toward keloid scarring. There also seems to be family histories of increased keloid occurrence. The chest regions delicate skin may further predispose this area more to abnormal scarring.
Treatment Options for Chest Keloids
Various treatment methods exist aimed at removing or improving the aesthetic appearance of chest keloids, including:
- Steroid injections - Helps flatten and shrink keloid tissue
- Cryotherapy - Freezing lesions to destroy overgrown scar cells
- Silicone gel sheets/creams - Flattens and softens scar texture
- Laser therapy - Using focused light beams to eliminate scar tissue
- Excision surgery - Cutting out the keloid then closing the wound with careful techniques to limit regrowth
- Radiation - Using targeted radiotherapy to disrupt excessive fibrous tissue formation
Treatment success and keloid recurrence rates vary greatly across patients. Following your doctors advice diligently for your individual keloids offers the best outcome improvements.
Chest Keloid Removal Success Stories
Regained Comfort After Large Growth Removal
Marisa, 28, developed an extremely painful, itchy and inflamed keloid scar two years after having an pacemaker implanted in her upper chest to regulate a congenital heart arrhythmia. The abnormal growth spanned over 9 centimeters across and 2 centimeters high.
The keloid made wearing bras, seatbelts and high-neckline tops agonizing. Marisa reported severe physical and emotional distress. She underwent surgical excision to remove the extensive keloid followed by scheduled steroid injections and silicone gel treatment.
After 4 injection sessions over 6 months, Marisa experienced massive improvements, with her keloid shrinking down to just a 2 centimeter circular scar. The small remnants no longer impacted her comfort wearing bras or other clothing. Her pain, inflammation and itching also greatly decreased.
Acne Scar Keloid Flattened After Combination Approach
DeShawn, 19, formed a large keloid on his chest after picking at a severe cystic acne lesion on his sternum he suffered during puberty. The blemish left a substantial keloid about the size of a golf ball, raised 7 millimeters off his skin.
He reported frustration that vigorous acne treatments resolved all facial breakouts except the protruding chest scar. DeShawn tried both steroid injections and silicone gel sheeting but observed no improvements after 9 months.
Finally, he underwent cryotherapy to freeze the keloid followed by a laser regeneration procedure and radiation treatment. After these combination modalities, his keloid completely flattened with the texture smoothly blending into his surrounding normal skin.
Restoring Body Confidence Through Scar Revision
Katrina, 32, formed a disfiguring horizontal keloid spanning the entire width of her chest below her collar bone after a major car accident. The substantial hypertrophic scar measured over 5 inches across and raised severely off her skin, which she hid underneath high-neck tops.
The chest keloid bothered Katrina tremendously both physically and emotionally. She underwent surgical scar revision to remove the abnormal growth, followed by diligent use of compression bands, silicone sheets and steroid injections during the lengthy healing period.
Over 18 months Katrina closely adhered to her doctors revised scar care regimen. She happily reported the keloid flattened to just a faint line barely distinguishable across her chest. This elimination of the disfiguring scar finally restored Katrinas body confidence.
Achieving Positive Outcomes Through Ongoing Scar Management
As evidenced in the above first-hand accounts, significant improvements reducing or removing chest keloids are possible. However, results vary widely based on individual factors.
Patience is Critical
The length of treatment and recovery time differs across patients. Some may observe improvements after just a few steroid injections while others require combining multiple modalities over years to achieve desired outcomes. Patience with an ongoing regimen tailored specifically for your scar type proves vital.
Prevention of New Scars Remains Crucial
Those prone to overgrown scars must exercise diligent skincare moving forward even after successful treatment. Preventing new wounds reduces chances another disfiguring scar develops in the healed area. Continuing physician-advised scar management routines also helps sustain positive outcomes long-term.
Support Options Ease the Emotional Burden
Living with severe chest keloids often negatively impacts confidence and self-image. Seeking out support groups, counseling and mindfulness practices helps many patients handle the emotional burden while undergoing physical treatment plans.
Online forums like the Keloid Research Foundation provide empathy, advice and hope from others battling similarly stubborn scars. Professional counseling also assists building coping strategies and self-acceptance during the keloid removal process.
FAQs
What are the most effective treatments for chest keloids?
Steroid injections, cryotherapy, laser removal, silicone gel sheets, excision surgery and radiation therapy prove most effective for reducing or eliminating chest keloids. Often a combination approach works best for substantial scar improvement.
How long does it take to flatten or remove chest keloids?
Timeframes vary significantly based on the scar size and treatment methods used. Small keloids may respond within months to steroid shots while large, extensive growths may require years of surgery, laser resurfacing and radiation to resolve.
Can keloids regrow after being removed from the chest?
Yes, keloids often recur, especially if the patient is genetically predisposed to overgrown scarring. Following all physician instructions for wound care and ongoing scar treatment helps prevent regrowth of the abnormal tissue.
Does keloid removal help emotional pain as well?
Yes, patients report restored comfort and confidence after undergoing treatments that significantly shrink or eliminate disfiguring chest keloids. Support groups and counseling also assist handling emotional burdens throughout the process.
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.
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