Keloid management: a review of treatment modalities

Ital J Dermatol Venerol. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.23736/S2784-8671.24.07848-4. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Keloids are an aberrant fibroproliferative response to wound healing of the skin, leading to scar tissue that expands above and beyond the original cutaneous injury. Keloids can be difficult to treat because of their tendency to recur after treatments, including after excision. There is a myriad of treatment modalities used, which can be used as monotherapy or in combination with surgical excision or other treatment methods. This review covers many treatment approaches including surgical excision, compression, silicone sheets, steroid-impregnated tape, imiquimod, intralesional injections, cryotherapy, laser, radiation, pentoxifylline, and dupilumab.