Have you ever noticed that sometimes a small scar, the reminder of your past accident turns into something quite unpleasing and ugly-looking and leaving you puzzled as to how did that happen? Well, this embarrassing scar tissue is known as Keloids.

What Are Keloids, You Ask?

Keloids are anomalous growth of fibrous tissue that usually form and grow after a wound, burn, puncture, or blemish atop the scar. They are generally considered as benign tumours of the skin and look like irregularly shaped, firm, itchy, pinkish-red mass of tissue, with a smooth upper surface.  The keloid scars are quite progressive and continue to grow and enlarge with time. 

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What Are The Causes Of Keloids?

Keloids often occur due to alterations in the cellular signals that control proliferation and inflammation that occurs at the site of a wound and restricts proper healing. Although people with darker skin are more likely to develop keloids, they can occur in people of all skin types. In some cases, people having a mutated gene known as NEDD4 gene may be more prone to get keloid formation or even pass it on genetically to their kids.

How To Remove Keloids?

Unlike skin tags, an excision procedure is not appropriate in case of keloids, since cutting it will ultimately result in the formation of an even larger mass of tissue. Although home remedies may not completely remove the keloids but it will obviously reduce the size, pain and inflammation. So before approaching a dermatologist, let’s try out some of these cost-effective natural remedies to soothe keloids.

Home Remedies For Keloids

Apple Cider Vinegar

Being a natural astringent and an exfoliant, ACV is blessed with innumerable benefits. It prevents scar-promoting cells from entering the keloid site and also reduces both pigmentation and size of the keloids. It also soothes the irritated skin and reduces any swelling.

Dilute the ACV with a little water and dab it on the keloid using a cotton ball. Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse off with cool water. Repeat this twice a day for a month to get effective results.

Aloe Vera Gel

Known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, the wonder gel from the aloe leaves are an absolute answer for almost all skin problems. It plays a quintessential role in reducing the size of the keloids and also minimises soreness, inflammation and helps in the healing of the scar tissue.

Apply the fresh gel from the leaves directly onto the affected scar tissue and leave it on throughout the night. Follow it up twice daily for a month to get rid of the keloid.

Onion Juice

Abundance of flavonoids and antioxidant properties in this humble bulbous veggie has been in use for treating scars and marks from the ancient ages. Reports suggest that the juice of the onion is extremely effective in reducing keloid and hypertrophic scars. It also reduces pain and inflammation and speeds up the healing process. 

Apply the squeezed-out onion juice directly onto the keloid, 3-4 times a day to reduce the size and symptoms. Also Read: Hidden Medicinal Benefits Of Onion You Should Know

Garlic Oil

The presence of bioactive ingredient allicin in this root vegetable prevents excessive fibroblast proliferation by blocking certain enzymes from entering the site that contributes to tissue and pigment buildup resulting in keloid scars. Not only does it improve blood circulation in the affected area, but also helps in speeding up the healing process of the keloid.

Apply the garlic oil on the keloid using a cotton ball. Keep it for half an hour and wash off with cool water. Repeat this twice, daily to get effective results.

Sandalwood And Rose Water

The skin-regenerating, anti-inflammatory and toning properties of both sandalwood and rose have been known to offer stellar skin qualities since ancient times. When applied together on to the scar tissue, it plays a pivotal role in reducing itching, inflammation and gradually minimising the size of the tissue. 

Make a thick paste of sandalwood powder and rose water and apply it on the keloid scar. Leave it on overnight and wash off in the morning. Follow this ritual every night to gradually get rid of the scar. Also Checkout: Astonishing Benefits Of Sandalwood Powder For Enhancing Skin Health - Infographic

Honey

Imbued with anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties, honey is an appropriate choice from preventing any accumulation of dead cells over the keloid scar tissue. It effectively enhances blood circulation, and speeds up the healing process in no time.

Apply honey directly onto the scars, massage it for 2-3 minutes and leave it for 30 –40 minutes and later wash off with cool water.

Baking Soda

Touted as a natural abrasive agent, baking soda not only exfoliates and cleanses the skin but also soothes the irritated skin and diminishes any swelling. On application of baking soda twice a week is bound to provide suitable result within a month.

Make a paste of 1 tsp baking soda and 3 tsp hydrogen peroxide and water and apply it over the keloid scar tissue and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with water.

Lemon Juice

Enriched with Vitamin C and other antioxidants, lemon juice effectively helps in healing the scars and with alternate application the scar tissue not only reduces in size but also improvement in the size, texture and colour of the affected tissue.

Apply freshly squeezed lemon juice using a wet cotton ball, keep it on for 30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.