Effective Techniques for Removing Nasal Keloids

Posted by The Keloid Plastic Surgery Center

Nasal keloids are a type of scar tissue that can cause discomfort and affect a person’s appearance. There are several ways to manage and remove them, including professional medical treatments.

Dr. Mendez and Dr. Salloum with their thorough experience in skin conditions, provide important advice for anyone looking to treat their nasal keloids. Their expertise helps people find relief and improve their condition by choosing the most appropriate treatment method.

Woman touching her nose, looking happy and relieved, with a light blue background.
Nasal keloids are scar tissues that can cause discomfort and affect appearance.

Understanding Nasal Keloids

Nasal keloids are a type of keloid, which is a common skin condition. They occur from an abnormal growth of scar tissue where skin has healed after an injury. This happens because the skin layers produce too much collagen, a key protein in wound healing. Unlike typical scars, keloids can spread outside the wound area, making them larger and sometimes leading to a skin-itchy sensation. The overproduction of collagen by cells, including pigment-producing cells, causes keloid formation.

Risk Factors for Nasal Keloids

  • More common in darker skin types, suggesting a genetic link.

Triggers include:

  • Nose piercings
  • Skin disease
  • Skin infection
  • Skin infestations
  • Chronic skin inflammation

Common in those with:

  • Oily skin
  • Injuries resulting in skin damage, such as from piercing guns

The immune system’s response impacts keloid formation, involving:

  • Spinal cord nerve cells
  • Types of cancer cells
  • White blood cells

The body’s natural healing mechanisms also influence keloid development and expansion.

Initial Care Strategies

Pressure Therapy

Pressure therapy is known for helping reduce nasal keloids. It involves wearing a special garment that puts steady pressure on the scar. This method is great because it can make hypertrophic scars and keloids smaller by cutting down blood flow to the area. This limits growth and helps with skin redness, making scars flatter, softer, and less noticeable.

Therapy with Silicone Gel Sheets

Silicone sheet dressings are helpful right from the start for managing nasal keloids. They work by creating a moisture-locking layer over the scar, which prevents dry skin and is vital for healing. This environment is good for human skin as it can thin down scars, improving their color, texture, and overall look. Like pressure therapy, using silicone gel sheets is a non-invasive way to help the healing process. They’re effective for various skin issues, including skin blisters, sorts of skin growths, and even conditions like mango skin.

Both treatments also avoid causing any further problems for sun-exposed skin, offering a gentle option for better healing without aggravating skin biopsy areas, wet skin, or dry skin areas.

Medical Treatments

Corticosteroid Injections

Corticosteroid injections are a primary medical treatment for shrinking keloids by directly targeting the excessive scar tissue. They are especially helpful for keloids on the nose and can reduce both the size of the scar and the pain it causes. During the treatment, patients might feel minimal pain, and some may notice skin inflammation and skin redness as side effects. If the keloid doesn’t respond as hoped, an additional steroid injection might be necessary for better results. While corticosteroid injections are effective, topical steroids can also be used but may not be as powerful.

Additionally, treating a keloid with corticosteroids can improve the aesthetic outcome and reduce discomfort associated with these types of scars.

Surgical Options

Keloid Excision

Keloid excision directly removes keloids by cutting out the scar tissue. This surgical scar revision aims to lessen keloid appearance by focusing on the connective tissue and fibrous tissue that form these raised scars. This procedure is particularly effective for larger keloids that do not respond well to other treatments. After surgery, using topical creams helps manage scar formation and assists in healing.

Close-up of a person's nose and eyes, highlighting the area around a nose piercing, indicating potential keloid treatment.
Excision involves surgically removing these bumps to improve the appearance of keloid scars

The repair processes involved in keloid excision are meticulous, ensuring that the area heals properly with minimal chance of recurrence. Specific techniques are employed to aid in the removal of keloid bumps, ensuring a smoother recovery and better aesthetic outcome. In some cases, keloids can form at the site of a piercing hole, necessitating this type of surgical intervention. 

Presurgical steroid injections can be considered in some cases to reduce the likelihood of keloid formation after surgery. For patients with a history of keloid formation, this proactive approach can be a beneficial treatment option. 

Laser Treatment

Laser treatments offer a non-invasive alternative for keloids. Fractional lasers target the skin’s deeper layers, breaking down the scar tissue and encouraging healthy skin growth. Dye laser therapy is especially good for reducing scar redness and is effective for acne scars as well. Laser treatments generally lead to a successful treatment outcome with a lower chance of growth of keloids.

Preventative Measures Post-Treatment

Preventing Recurrence

After treating keloids successfully, it’s important to focus on stopping them from coming back. The recurrence rate for keloids is high, but proper skin care can help lower this risk. It’s key to shield healing areas from the sun since UV rays can cause keloids to return. Choose skin care products made for sensitive or oily skin to help keep your skin clean and in balance, which cuts down on the risk linked to common skin disorders.

Long-Term Care Strategies

To help stop keloids from coming back and manage your skin over time:

  • Keeping your skin clean is essential to avoid the conditions that make commonplace skin conditions worse.
  • Use moisturizers suitable for areas prone to keloids. This helps maintain healthy skin and prevents triggers for keloids.
  • Have a professional regularly check skin samples for early signs of potential recurrence, essential for recurrence prevention.
  • Extra care is important for oily skin to prevent keloids and other commonplace skin conditions from becoming more serious.

These steps are part of effective long-term care strategies. They’re not just about stopping keloids but also about keeping your skin healthy to avoid potential problems.

When to See a Specialist

Signs of Complication

It’s important to see a specialist if you notice signs of complication, such as keloids that grow beyond the scar area or severe allergies. These signs mean that you might need medical treatment from a healthcare provider who specializes in this area to ensure successful treatment.

In addition to keloids, you should be vigilant about skin complications that may arise, including infections, rashes, or unexpected changes in skin texture. For those experiencing an uneven skin tone, professional evaluation is crucial to determine the underlying causes and appropriate interventions. Moreover, individuals with problematic keloids should seek advice on advanced treatments to manage their condition effectively.

Choosing the Right Healthcare Provider

Choosing the right healthcare provider is crucial for your treatment’s success. It’s best to find specialists who have a lot of experience with keloids, especially if you’ve had allergies or complications before. Look for someone who understands your specific situation and offers personalized care.

Healing from nasal keloids goes beyond just the physical; it encompasses your overall well-being. Delving into various therapies not only offers relief but also tailors a recovery path to meet the specific needs of your skin. Remember, each scar is unique, and identifying the suitable treatment marks the beginning of a new phase.

Being patient and maintaining a positive outlook is crucial. The keloid healing process is gradual, but with an appropriate set of treatments, you can achieve significant improvement. Keeping motivated is key, as perseverance can transform your skin to be smoother and healthier.

Consult with Keloid Experts

Getting help from an expert is very important if you have nasal keloids. Dr. Roberto J. Mendez and Dr. Salloum are experienced plastic surgeons who specialize in treating tough keloid cases. They work at The Keloid Plastic Surgery Center in Miami, FL, and have been doing this for more than 20 years.

Both doctors provide care that is tailored to each person, aiming for results that look natural. They have the skills and knowledge to help you heal and recover. To start getting better, schedule a consultation with our experts today.