SCAR REVISION AND KELOID TREATMENT IN LOS ANGELES
Dr. Karamanoukian featured on 'The Doctors' for keloid surgery
Keloids are very common among patients who have had trauma to the skin, either from an accident or from surgery. The most common area to develop keloids is on the ear from an ear piercing, partly because it is such a common procedure to have performed.
There are many misconceptions about keloid scars and it is always best to speak to a surgeon who is knowledgeable about keloid scars and their management. Most importantly, it should be noted that surgery is not always the correct answer to treating keloid scars. Surgery should be reserved for particular cases that demand a more radical approach in the setting of treatment failure with non-conservative therapies.
Dr. Karamanoukian is an expert on keloid scars and sees patients from around the world for keloid scars. He has been featured on the popular television medical show, The Doctors, for his innovative strategies for keloid management. He is available for consultation for keloid scars in his two Los Angeles offices.
TREATMENT OF EAR KELOIDS AND EARLOBE KELOIDS
Ear keloids can present a significant problem for patients of all ages. Most commonly, ear keloids arise from earlobe piercings or other non-conventional piercings of the ear, including the helical fold, scapha, or tragus of the ear.
Patients with earlobe keloids may complain of progressive thickening and enlargement of the keloid scar with associated itching, burning, and pain.
Patients with earlobe and ear keloids should seek immediate attention to avoid the potential complications associated with enlarging keloid scars. As the keloids become thicker, they may begin to encroach on the scalp skin or the surrounding tissue. In addition keloids of the ear may encroach on the cartilaginous structures of the ear, thus causing increased deformity. It the cartilage is destroyed, the ear keloids may disrupt the anatomy of the ear and cause significant and permanent deformity.
The first step in controlling the keloid and ultimately reducing its risk for recurrence begins with choosing a board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is familiar with keloid management. Dr. Karamanoukian has developed a longterm protocol for patients who have keloids of the ear, chest, or extremities.
Earlobe keloids may occur for unknown reasons. The most common reasons an earlobe or ear keloid forms is because of genetic factors, an infected earring, or an antibody reaction to sebum in the skin. Whatever the cause, keloids of the ear require immediate and definitive attention to ward off and prevent secondary deformities of the ear.
If you are concerned about earlobe keloids, schedule a consultation with one of the foremost authorities in keloid reconstruction by calling our office at (310) 998-5534. Dr. Karamanoukian has been featured on popular television shows, including The Doctors, discussing the surgical and nonsurgical management of keloid scars. He is available to address your surgical needs for keloid reconstruction.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT KELOID REMOVAL IN LOS ANGELES
Was Dr. Karamanoukian the surgeon on The Doctors, talking about keloid surgery? Yes. Dr. Karamanoukian was featured on The Doctors television show with Dr. Orden discussing alternatives for keloid treatment. In the particular episode about keloid scars, Dr. Karamanoukian discussed one of his patients who had recently undergone keloid surgery with Dr. Karamanoukian for a keloid of the ear.
Can I get keloid scars on my chest? Yes. Chest keloids are very common and can be quite disfiguring. It is thought that chest keloids occur as a result of an autoimmune response to the sebum in the body. Usually, these keloids arise from an old acne scar.
Do keloids occur in African Americans only? Keloids are common among African American, Carribean, and African patients. However, keloids can occur in any individual who has a genetic predisposition to keloid formation, regardless of skin color or complexion. Keloids are caused by a combination of genetic factors and exogenous wound healing factors. If you are concerned about keloid scars or the possibility of keloid scars before your surgery, schedule an appointment with Dr. Karamanoukian to discuss your surgical and non-surgical options for keloids.
Can keloids happen on Asian skin? Yes. Keloids can happen anywhere on the body and are unpredictable. Most keloid scars occur as a result of increased collagen synthesis by the dermal fibroblasts. Keloids are common in the Asian population, especially among patients with oily skin on their chest and face.
Are keloids genetic? Yes. There is a genetic component to keloids, but this is not an absolute. Given the right circumstances, all wounds are at risk for keloid formation. Dr. Karamanoukian will assess your keloid risk during your consultation.
Has Dr. Karamanoukian ever treated a keloid on the chest? Yes. All the time. Our office sees patients from all over the world who fly in to receive treatment from Dr. Karamanoukian. Chest keloids are quite common and often neglected. Many patients have also undergone chest radiation for keloids with no resolution of the problem. If you have a large or small keloid on the chest, you may be a candidate for non-surgical removal of the keloid scar.
LASER KELOID REMOVAL IN LOS ANGELES, DR. KARAMANOUKIAN
Dr. Karamanoukian is one of the nation's leading experts on keloid treatment. He has been featured on national television programs emphasizing his comprehensive approach to keloid management. In his office, he employs the latest surgical and non-surgical methods for keloid and scar treatment.
Laser technology can provide significant improvement in the keloid growth cycle by disrupting the blood supply that feeds the scar. Dr. Karamanoukian uses two very different and effective laser systems to destroy the vascular elements of keloid scars, thus strangulating the scar and causing it to shrink.
Keloid scars can be managed non-surgically using a combination treatment protocol designed by Dr. Karamanoukian. Laser treatments are performed once every two to three weeks and are performed on an outpatient basis.
KELOID SILICONE SHEETS AVAILABLE IN LOS ANGELES
Silicone sheets have been proven to help in the management of keloid scars, hypertrophic scars, and burn scars. The silicone sheets are available from such manufacturers as Oleeva and can supplement Dr. Karamanoukian's protocols for keloid management. To determine if silicone sheeting is appropriate for your keloid or scar treatment, call our office to schedule a consultation for scar revision.
RESEARCH ON KELOIDS SHOW BENEFITS OF LASER TREATMENT
A study by Manuskiatti et al at the Department of Dermatology, Mahidol University in Bangkok Thailand evaluated the pulse dye laser in the treatment of on sternotomy hypertrophic and keloid scars. Sternotomy scars are those in the midline chest that are formed from cardiac surgery. They are usually linear scars that thicken with time. The study showed that short pulse width pulse dye laser is effective in reducing scar volume in patients with dark skin. Dermatol Surg 2007, February.
Keloid treatment with pulse dye laser were evaluated at the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan. The study showed an up regulation of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-13 and a downregulation of TGF-Beta 1 expression after pulse dye laser treatment of keloids. These immunohistochemical changes are associated with the effectiveness of pulse dye laser in the treatment of keloid scars. Laser Surg Med. 2005 Jan.
Keloid scars are benign scars that are caused by overstimulation of collagen production by fibroblasts within the dermis of the skin. The condition can occur in African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Caucasians. Unlike other scars, keloids have no endpoint for growth and can invade adjacent anatomic structures, making them highly deforming in severe cases. If you are concerned about keloid scars, schedule an appointment with Dr. Karamanoukian to discuss your keloid scars and treatment options available for your particular case. Dr. Karamanoukian is an expert on keloid scars and scar management.
Are keloids and hypertrophic scars the same thing? Yes and no. Keloids and hypertrophic scars are on a continuum of scar severity. Hypertrophic scars usually do not extend beyond the plane of the skin, whereas keloids extend beyond the plane of the skin and begin to distort surrounding tissue. Dr. Karamanoukian will help clarify the difference between the two scar types during your consultation in his office. Dr. Karamanoukian is available for keloid consultation in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. He is a board certified plastic surgeon and an expert on keloid scars.
Is radiation a good option for keloids? Radiation is one modality of treatment that can be used to decrease the severity and recurrence of a keloid scar. It is not the best option for treatment as there are less invasive options available. However, in certain cases, radiation is necessary to treat recalcitrant and recurring keloids that pose a risk to adjacent tissues. Dr. Karamanoukian works closely with radiation oncologists to guide you in your decision to treat keloid scars.
Can anyone predict whether they will develop keloids? No. Keloids are unpredictable and do not conform to typical patterns of growth. However, if you have a personal history of keloids, it is wise to remain cautious with any procedure that traverses the dermis.