Radiotherapy to remove keloid scars?

[supertigers]

Hi, I am a 36 year old male, reasonably healthy, play loads of 5-a-side football, don't smoke, drink in moderation but have numerous keloid scars on my upper body - two on my chest which can be painful when (accidentally) touched by my two young daughters and the rest on my shoulders. I went to my doctor today and he has recommended me to see a Dermatologist and discuss the option of radiotherapy to remove my scars. My doctor did briefly mention the possibility of skin cancer if I was to proceed but this was why I wil be seeing a dermatlogist to discuss this and any other issues. Could anybody enlighten me on radiotherapy and has anyone had this sort of operation done? Many thanks, Andy.

[sleepyfairy]

Hi, my mum has just had this done on her legs, basically she was told the same as yourself, the deratologist told her to put vaseline on it to soften it until her appointment, then scrapped the top of the scabs, was very painful, she then had some cream put onto the areas which was left on for 4 hours covered, when she went back, they put this red light onto the wounds, all wearing goggles, at first it was ok, but as it warmed up the pain got worse, so they gave her some local aneasthetic, this helped a lot and she wished she had it from beginning, she does have a strong pain threshold so it must have hurt, after about 30 mins, the treatment was finished, they covered the areas treated, that was 3 weeks ago, one area is healing really well, the other has almost sorted, she has to go back next month by which time it should all be clear hopefully, although thy did say they may need 2 treatments on the one area, I wont deny it could be painul, but not too bad with aneasthetic, if it works surely it is worth it!!
Hope this helps. Take care.

[supertigers]

Sleepyfairy, thanks very much for your reply - i'm still waiting for my appointment which should come through soon but that has gave me some hope (maybe not the pain side though!!) Andy.

[mycats]

Have you tried Bio Oil? Its really good for helping scars even keltoid scars

[sleepyfairy]

Hi, just thought i would keep you posted, mum has her check up end of March, I think she will be ok, the one area has completely cleared the second area has closed down to the size of a five pence piece, she has been putting petroleum vaseline on all the affected areas that she had on her legs and it has cleared them fantastically, her legs have not looked so clear in years.
I hope you have tried with the vaselin for softening, have you had any news from the dermatologist yet?

[supertigers]

Hi Sleepyfairy, I am still waiting for a date from the dermatologist but shouldn't be much longer now. Glad your Mum is OK and will start using the vaseline. Thanks for keeping me updated, will use this as reference when I do see the dermatologist. TVM.

[sleepyfairy]

hi sorry not replied had other problems, hope you are ok, my mum has bowens disease, which is pre cancerous cells, the 2 areas she had treated healed fine but 2 more appeared which she had scraped, they are also healing. how did itgo with you?