When it comes to the concept of physical beauty, nothing brings out the worst of social anxieties than a good old scar. And among the varieties that have ruined contemporary society’s fragile notion of beauty, keloid scars are relatively considered the worst. These types of scars are characterized by an outward growth of scar tissue broadening beyond the original margins of the healed wound.
According to E Medicine, the earliest documentation of keloid scars dates back as far as 1700 BC in Ancient Egypt. Curiously, the term ‘keloid’ was first used by a 19th Century French dermatologist named Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert – loosely translated as ‘crab pincers’ in Greek.
Easily confused with hypertrophic scars, the latter is not known to be as potentially damaging and persistent as keloids. Pathologically exclusive to human skin, keloids occur at a frequency of 5% to 15% in all wounds. It is widely accepted that ethnicity, age, and sex are key factors that contribute to a higher propensity of keloid disfigurement. Hence, the most vulnerable groups are individuals within the following categories:
- Between 10 and 30 years of age
- Darker skin (e.g. African, Asian, Latino)
- Women (largely due to cosmetic adverse effects)
Despite how unpleasant they look, keloids are neither malignant nor contagious. Nevertheless, the campaign against these ‘badges of imperfection’ often touches people at a very personal level. For some, the price to pay for removing keloids is worth every penny.
Keloid Removal Treatments
A common question anyone would ask is, ‘how much does keloid scar removal cost?’ However, there is no single answer that fits all contexts. It is important to understand that the cost of removing keloid would primarily depend on what type of treatment one would choose.
Case in point: a laser surgery (Lumenis Ultrapulse + platelet-rich plasma) generates the highest cost in terms of keloid removal surgery price. A Q&A response in the Real Self forum estimates the lowest average cost for that treatment at around $1,800.
However, there are other effective medical and non-medical procedures that do not cost as much. These are the following treatments mentioned by E Topical:
- Typical Surgery: from $500 to $1000
- Corticosteroid Injections: from $75 to $250
- Cryo Therapy: around $100
- Silicone Sheets: from $50 to $200
Top 5 Scar Removal Creams
One can spend a comparatively cheaper average cost of keloid removal by simply applying creams on the scarred skin area. Skin care creams are relatively safe medications applied externally. Although any brand can guarantee safety and effectiveness, only a few can yield favorable and medically-sound results. When it comes to choosing a suitable brand of topical treatment, Well-being Secrets suggests the following brands that made the sharpest cut in the year 2017 list:
Selevax Intensive Scar Cream by Senvie
Cost: $17.91 (Amazon) or $28.95 (Senvie)
Pros: Proven effective for old and new scars, contains fatty acids and anti-oxidants, and odorless.
Cons: Slightly expensive and takes a little longer for positive results on older scar tissue.
Beauty Facial Extreme Stretch Mark and Scar Repair Cream
Cost: $18.86 (Amazon)
Pros: Proven effective on both male and female skin, healing both surface and deeper skin tissues and contains ‘allantoin’ – a strong keratolytic agent that promotes the growth of new skin cells.
Cons: Slightly scented and strictly not allowed for facial use.
Art Naturals Stretch Mark and Scar Removal Cream
Cost: $14 (Ebay)
Pros: Contains natural and organic ingredients, smooth and well-suited for both body and face, and proven light on the budget.
Cons: Reported to potentially trigger adverse effects on some users and only it only comes in a thick (unaesthetic) consistency.
Body Merry Fading Stretch Marks and Scars Cream
Cost: $23.99 (Ebay)
Pros: Proven useful on the dry irritated skin, provides deep moisture, and capable of effectively decreasing new formation of scars.
Cons: Comes with a heavy texture and relatively raw and unappealing cocoa scent.
InstaNatural Scar Gel Cream
Cost: $28.64 (Amazon)
Pros: Contains sophisticated ingredients that treat scars on a chromosomal level, proven safe to apply on any part of the body, and it comes with a user-friendly bottle dispenser.
Cons: Slightly expensive and it only comes with a non-versatile substance color (tan).
Effective Home Remedies
Considering the average cost of keloid removal based on the different types of treatment, home remedies may prove to be the least financially burdening alternative. E Topical highlights the following alternative topical remedies for anyone who thinks that the previously mentioned treatments are too expensive for their budget:
Apple Cider Vinegar
Application: Pure or mixed with pure tea tree oil
Frequency: As many times a day.
Effect Duration: 1 to 2 months
Baking Soda
Application: Paste: mixed with 3 portions of hydrogen peroxide
Frequency: 3 to 4 times a day
Effect Duration: Not determined
Lemon Juice
Application: Pure: dry it on disfigured skin for 30 minutes before washing
Frequency: N/A
Effect Duration: Within several weeks
Aspirin
Application: Paste: powdered 3 to 4 tablets and mixed with water
Frequency: Once a day
Effect Duration: Not determined
Aloe Vera
Application: Applied after rinsing with lukewarm water
Frequency: 2 times a day
Effect Duration: Not determined
Sandalwood
Application: Paste: powdered and mixed with rosewater
Frequency: Once a night before bedtime
Effect Duration: Not determined
Lavander Oil
Application: Pure or mixed with tea tree oil and olive oil
Frequency: 3 times a day
Effect Duration: Not determined
Fuller’s Earth
Application: Paste: mixed with lemon juice and rosewater
Frequency: Once a day
Effect: Not determined
Medical Treatments Abroad
Another option especially suitable for those who frequently travel abroad for leisure is to schedule an appointment with foreign health care providers. Medical tourism has become a cost-efficient alternative for many individuals in the United States.
So, how much does keloid scar removal cost abroad? If one chooses the right country, the average keloid removal surgery price does not exceed beyond $500. Medigo highlights the following countries and their top health care institutions suitable for this dermatological service. These are the following nations and their average medical cost:
- Malaysia: $42
- Turkey: $57
- Thailand: $72
- Israel: $260
- United Arab Emirates: $272