How does Dr. Lam treat keloids?
Please read the response to the previous question to understand what makes a keloid different from a hypertrophic scar. A keloid is treated very differently. Simple excision and meticulous closure after removal of a hypertrophic scar may be sufficient. However, simple excision and closure after removal of a keloid is almost never adequate. Serial steroid, 5-FU, and bleomycin injections are often necessary to control and to minimize re-expansion of a keloid. Without these follow-up treatments, your keloid may grow even larger than before Dr. Lam’s excision of it. As the histological architecture of a keloid exhibits collagen disarray, silicone sheeting and silicone gels should be applied daily to realign the collagen bundles by virtue of the electrostatic properties of the silicone. In addition, ongoing pressure dressing to the affected area can also minimize regrowth. If these conservative measures fail, low-dose radiation therapy may need to be performed to provide more definitive con
