Myth: Keloids are the same as hypertrophic scars.
Fact: While keloids and hypertrophic scars may look similar, they are different. Keloids are characterized by an overgrowth of tissue that extends beyond the borders of the original wound, while hypertrophic scars stay within the boundaries of the wound. In addition, hypertrophic scars usually go away or improve without treatment within six months, whereas keloids do not.
Myth: Keloids only affect people with dark skin.
Fact: Keloids can affect anyone, regardless of skin color, including individuals with albinism. However, studies have shown that keloids are more common in people with darker skin tones.
Myth: There are keloid treatments with no risk of recurrence.
Fact: There are multiple therapies used to treat keloids. However, there are no approved keloid-specific treatments, and all therapies can lead to recurrence.
Myth: Cutting off a keloid will make it go away.
Fact: Removing a keloid surgically can make it grow back even larger than before. Keloids should never be treated with surgery alone. Surgery should be combined with other treatment options such as corticosteroid injections, radiation therapy, or pressure therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Myth: Keloids are contagious.
Fact: Keloids are not contagious and cannot be spread from one person to another. They are the result of an overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of an injury.
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