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How to Prevent Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars: 5 Expert Tips
Published: Mar 01, 2024
If you're prone to keloids or hypertrophic scars, prevention is key. Here are five expert-backed strategies to reduce your risk of developing these troublesome scars.
1. Master Proper Wound Care
The foundation of scar prevention is excellent wound care. Keep any cuts, scrapes, or surgical incisions clean and moist. This promotes faster healing, which reduces the chance of abnormal scarring. Use gentle soap and water to clean wounds, then apply an antibiotic ointment and cover with a clean bandage. Change dressings regularly and avoid picking at scabs.
2. Minimize Skin Tension
Tension on healing skin increases the risk of keloids and hypertrophic scars. After an injury or surgery, try to limit movement that stretches the skin in that area. For planned surgeries, talk to your doctor about incision placement to minimize tension. Special adhesive strips called steri-strips can help support the wound and reduce tension during healing.
3. Consider Silicone Sheets or Gels
Silicone-based products have shown promise in preventing abnormal scars. These come as adhesive sheets or gels you apply to the healing wound. They work by keeping the area hydrated and may help regulate collagen production. Start using silicone products as soon as the wound has closed, typically around 2 weeks after injury or surgery.
4. Explore Early Steroid Treatment
For those at high risk of keloids, doctors may recommend early treatment with steroid injections or tape. This can help suppress the inflammation that leads to excess scar tissue. Steroid treatments usually start soon after wound closure and continue for several months. While effective, this approach requires close monitoring by a dermatologist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sun can darken scars, but doesn't directly cause keloids.
No specific diet prevents keloids, but overall health may help.
Typically for 3-6 months, but follow your doctor's advice.
Gentle massage may help, but start only after full healing.
No, but those prone to keloids should avoid piercings.
An Ounce of Prevention
While you can't completely eliminate the risk of keloids, these strategies can significantly reduce your chances of developing troublesome scars.
References
- Ogawa R. The Most Current Algorithms for the Treatment and Prevention of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids: A 2020 Update of the Algorithms Published 10 Years Ago. Plast Reconstr Surg 2022; 149:79e.
- Atkinson JA, McKenna KT, Barnett AG, et al. A randomized, controlled trial to determine the efficacy of paper tape in preventing hypertrophic scar formation in surgical incisions that traverse Langer's skin tension lines. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005; 116:1648.
- O'Brien L, Jones DJ. Silicone gel sheeting for preventing and treating hypertrophic and keloid scars. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2013; :CD003826.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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