Natural Treatment for Keloid Scars

| Modified on Dec 12, 2023
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Adrian (Ontario, CA) on 08/25/2014
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar is a GUARANTEED natural cure and a major money saver for all those who suffer from Keloids and Scars... It works for even acne, pimples and dark spots over time. Now, like most topical medications/treatments it takes time, and repeated applications. I was skeptical at first but because I had tried surgery twice plus the needles only to have the 3 keloids on my face near my side jaw area return and even bigger after 6 months without needles. I couldn't afford to keep visiting the dermatologist as the consultation fee alone costed an arm and a leg outside of Canada where I'm from (and I was in China at the time).

On my work vacation, I was dreading seeing my friends and family with the keloids regrown and two new ones starting to grow in the same area as one of the larger keloids, so I researched and searched the web for an answer other than surgery which costed so much. I came upon this forum and read all the comments, testimonials, and decided apple cider vinegar might be the first natural remedy to try as it seemed simple and cheap.

I started treating my Keloids w/ ACV on a cotton pad just before my vacation back in Canada started. And as many said, it peeled the top skin and burned at first. After 3 weeks now, my 3 large (1.5 cm) keloids are almost gone/shrunk (80-85% complete so far) and my skin is more radiant, and I'm decently pleased with my appearance. I will continue using ACV until it completely removes any trace of a scar and yeah, it works.

The best method is to apply pressure to the keloid(s)with the ACV on a cotton pad as much as possible and massage around the keloids every 10-15 mins. and let it dry and reapply. I slept with the ACV on my keloids as it burned the top keloid layer in the first two weeks. It was tough, it smelled bad/sour, but it was worth it. Now I know why Dr's/skin specialists say there's no cure... the $$$ they can make, over and over. I'd spent over $1000 getting the keloids treated before trying ACV and then when ready to give up on my face and cave in to a life of surgeries I got lucky w/ the helpful info/testimonials on THIS site.

If you can handle the sour, pungent smell, and have time, try it, give it a month to shrink, have patience regarding the process. The stinging is a good indication it's working to remove the impurities in the skin and activate the stem cells. Most ppl dilute the ACV w water (which is ok) but I didn't, I took the pain while hoping to get quicker results. Please spread the word, and let's help people regain their confidence, self esteem, and improve overall happiness. Thank you Earth Clinic, and all those individuals who posted before me regarding this natural cure.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mikewillmadeit (Florida) on 07/03/2016
★★★★☆

Got a keloid the size of my pinky on my chest, and a even smaller one under it. I've been putting apple cider vinegar on it all day and I'm actually noticing it getting better. I will post when it has made a bigger change!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Erin (Nc) on 12/16/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I found about apple cider vinegar for keloids on this site and decided to try it three days ago. I have two small ones on my neck near jawline. I am already seeing tremendous results. Every night before bed I have been putting it on a cotton ball and holding it against my scars for 5 minutes. In just three nights they are shrinking!! If this works it will save me hundreds of dollars.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rue (Zimbabwe) on 09/28/2016
★★★★★

Hi, I'm Rue. I've been using ACV for about 3 weeks now - applying overnight once a day since I had to go to college. The results are, I must say, amazing! I had a keloid about the size of a large grape behind my ear but it has reduced to the size of a small pea! Good luck to all those who might wanna try it, you might be surprised and save thousands of dollars!!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rev (India) on 07/28/2016
★★★★★

My daughter had a peanut sized keloid on her ear lobe and it was removed by a surgery, but unfortunately it started growing back after an year. I applied apple cider vinegar organic daily night and could see drastic change. Here is what I did:

Drenched a cotton ball in the vinegar, wrapped the keloid with a plaster and left it overnight. The keloid reduced to half of its original size within a month. The skin healed itself and the color didn't change. Apple cider vinegar did work great!!

Castor Oil
Posted by Mgh (Uk) on 05/29/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

When I was 4 I had an accident which required 40 stiches in my leg, after it healed a keloid like a huge tongue formed. I had to keep it covered because it made other kids at school burst into tears. This is what my granny told my mum to do and it worked. Every night massage with hot castor oil, that's it. it started slowly shrinking, it was about 6 months before it completely went, but it was enormous, I think smaller ones would probably go quicker. Make sure the oil isn't so hot it burns, but as hot as bearable, the safest way is to heat it in hot water.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mark (Cincinnati, Oh) on 02/24/2014
★★★★★

I had a keloid scar on the back of my ear that developed when I attempted to remove a mole some years ago. The scar grew to about the size of a large pea and was painful and unsightly. As time went on I became more and more self-conscious about it. Even though it was on the back of my ear I was always nervous about it whenever standing in front of people.

After reading a lot of comments about different solutions in removing these types of scars (ACV, rubber bands, tylenol, etc) I tried each one. First I tried tylenol. I ground up a pill with a little bit of water to make a paste and put it on the scar. I did this for about a week and it didn't do anything. Next I tried the rubber band method. This was incredibly painful and I gave up after one day. I even contemplated getting the scar surgically removed but read that scars often come back after surgery.

Lastly I tried Apple Cider Vinegar (organic with the mother). I soaked a cotton ball with the ACV and held it against the scar for about an hour. I was unable to tape the cotton ball to my ear because of the awkward location so I just held it there. Some people have said they had normal skin 'burn' from the ACV but this didn't happen to me. I merely held the cotton ball against the scar. I noticed after a day or 2 the scar started turning a little bit white and opened up a little. Once the scar opened up I could only hold a cotton ball on it for 15-20 minutes at a time because it stung. The stinging was tolerable though and it felt more like it was healing the scar. After another day or two a scab formed. I'm a scab picker so I couldnt resist pulling the scab off. This was a little bit painful as it felt like it was also ripping part of the scar tissue off.

I didn't put ACV/cotton ball on it every single day. In fact, there were times I would go a week without doing it to let the skin heal a little bit. When I would apply the ACV and hold it on my ear it would only be for about 30 minutes. Each time, a new scab would form a couple days later that I would peel off. After a couple of weeks of this I noticed the scar had reduced in size dramatically.

Now the scar is nearly completely flat and just about unnoticeable. It was a virtually pain-free process and I'm so glad to have found such a great remedy. I am even drinking the ACV twice a day with water now. I haven't really noticed much benefits since drinking it but will continue with it. Thanks EC!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tjgarcia (Orange, California) on 01/22/2015
★★★★★

I found out about using ACV on keloids from this site. I had a keloid on my chest for about two years now, and its been the worst thing. Ive wanted to get it removed but I've been too scared. I decided to try the ACV and it's officially been 4 days now and it has HONESTLY gotten 50% smaller. It's so much flatter and lighter in color and it looks sooooo much better I can't believe it.

I used a tiny piece of toilet paper (because I don't have cotton balls) and put ACV on it and taped it to my chest. If I had a bandaid I'd prefer that because the tape irritated my skin and I'm sure the irritation was from the ACV being on it. It kind of stings and itches when I have it on, but I iced it and put aloe around my keloid to try ease the burning sensation, which worked. I leave on a piece overnight and just whenever I'm home I try to have it on. I'm so happy it's gone down hopefully it'll nearly disappear in the future :) I highly recommend ACV

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by John (Overland Park, Ks) on 09/13/2011
★★★★★

I read this thread a 4weeks ago coz I have three keloids on my chest.

I'll be as truthful and honest as I can be:- At first I was skeptical about ACV kept asking myself why do Dr. not recommend this, But I took a shot since I tried cortisone injection which I must atest it's expensive and painful to get those injections!!!

I have been applying Organic ACV on two of my Keloid coz the 3rd one is larger(2inches long and 1inches wide).

Results

They're gone!!!

Findings

1) What ACV does it denatures the Epithelial tissue(top skin). It kills it, making it a dead skin therefore it peels off one layer at a time.

Cons

1) Skin irritates for 5min while applying(ACV)

2) Makes the skin really dark i.e. Dark spots are visible.

Application

For me;

Applied every night:- Pour ACV on cotton swab then dress it with Band Aid and slept.

Conclusion

If you got Small keloids use this coz it rips the skin open i.e. like an open wound. I won't recommend this for larger keloid it would be torture.

I am going next week to remove the larger Keloid (3rd keloid) then I monitor it, I might apply ACV on it while its still flat so that it doesnt grow again!!!

I will keep you guys posted. I have pictures from day 1 so I will post them ASAP

Iodine
Posted by Avis2972 (Allentown, Pa ) on 02/17/2012
★★★★★

This is the cure.. Try it, you won't regret it! It is amazing to me that doctors and dermatologists keep this simplest of remedies for keloid scars away from their patient. Iodine is so cheap and readily available.. No one should have to endure the shame and physical anguish that it is having keloid scars!!

May all keloids melt to hell!!!!!!! :-)

Iodine
Posted by Kristi (Michigan) on 06/04/2016
★★★★★

I ordered 5% loguls 5% iodine and after a week of use noticed my keloid start to shrink slightly. Then I ordered a dermaroller and used that with the iodine and massive quick difference. The keloid had lost 50% of its swelled height and getting closer and closer to flat after less than a week and a half. I can only speak for myself but this has been great.

Iodine
Posted by Marilyn (Canada) on 01/06/2016
★★★★★

I have had keloids since I was 5 (following a vaccination on my arm). At puberty, some of the pimples on my back/shoulder areas developed into small keloids. Then they grew together into large keloids. I had injections of kenalog for about 30 years with very poor results. I am now 53 and started using iodine orally about a year ago. I also started to paint lugol's iodine on my keloids after showering in the morning. The keloids are amazingly decreased and the redness is coming out of them. I have taken breaks (summertime especially because the iodine looks almost worse than the keloids). I think that the keloid scar tissue is trying to surround an infected area and keep the infection contained and unable to spread to the rest of the body. The iodine is an antibacterial that must be healing the infection so the keloid is no longer necessary. It has been a long process, but I am convinced that they will disappear completely over time as some already have.

Iodine
Posted by Witchnat (London, Uk) on 07/11/2015
★★★★★

I have had keloids since the age of 11. I now have 5 of them and one hypertrophic scar. About a month ago I read about Lugol's iodine and decided to give it a try. I bought 12% solution so I dilute it 50:50 with water. I drench a q-tip in this solution and painted it over my scar (I tried on one of them only to begin with) twice a day. I am happy to report that after 25 years of looking for remedies for keloids, this is the very first one that is working! I was thrilled when after 3 weeks the top skin had dried up and cracked and started peeling off. Underneath it revealed a much softer and less angry smaller scar.

Before that I tried surgery, silicon sheets of various types for months, snail creams, emu oil, injections. While the oil and creams didn't affect the scars, the surgery and injections made them much worse and they were big and itchy and painful when they came back.

Please give iodine a try. On older scars I guess it will take a bit longer as I tried it on a scar that was just over a year old. I will now start to treat all the others and I can't wait to see the results!


Acetaminophen
Posted by Paula (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) on 04/11/2013
★★★★★

My daughter pierced her inner ear and a keloid formed and was painful and sore. She tried acv, tea tree oil, calendula cream, lavender, salt water and various other natural remedies all to no avail. She had a roommate who was genetically prone to keloid scarring and she recommended crush uncoated Tylenol with a couple drops of water to make a paste. Leave on for no more than five mins. at a time. Within 3 days and 3 applications later, 95% of the keloid went away. It opened up and stuff came out and than scabbed over.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Shenee (Waco, Tx) on 04/09/2016
★★★★★

Yes. I read on apple cider vinegar for keloid skin and it work. I placed a soaked vinegar cotton swab on my face 15 min and it worked. I will continue.


MSM
Posted by David (Dublin) on 11/22/2015
★★★★★

I have experience with many remedies including apple cider vinegar which made one keloid considerably worse so tread carefully!

Like many reading these comments I've scoured the internet for a solution for years and years. I'm a 39 yr old male and i have 3 bad keloids since my acne-ridden teens. I've had disastrous laser and steroid injections. They can really get you down these itchy unsightly lumps.

After much trial and error I've found something that has really worked for me. It takes patience but my girlfriend is in awe of the transformation in the last 18 months I've been using this method.

The main ingredient is MSM, taken internally. This is in my opinion the miracle drug we've all been waiting for. Take 2/3000 mg a day with vitamin to aid its effectiveness. I think this alone is responsible for about 70% of the shrinkage but I mix up a home made(not inexpensive but cheaper than a lot of the scam creams out there on the internet) cream that I think makes a difference too and really helps with the itchiness.

I don't have exact measures as i apply this quite liberally to the surrounding areas too as it makes your skin feel good and helps a lot of the teeny white mini keloids I have disappear too.

It's basically one half quality aloe vera gel and one half moo goo msm cream(moo goo are an Australian company, it's widely available here in Ireland) with a few drops of tea tree, lavender and calendula oils. I don't always have all five ingredients but for some reason i feel it works better if you mix it up a bit, two weeks of tea tree, two weeks of lavender and calendula. There's no fixed method and all ingredients are good for your skin in general, especially if you're prone to acne and scarring. It is i feel good to have the aloe vera and msm to dilute the oils though and they can be a bit harsh on their own in my experience and the msm, I've read, helps the oils permeate the outer scar tissue to get to problem inside.

All this said I'm not sure exactly how much the cream really shrinks the scar. It really really eases the itching and puts the scars to the back of my mind so to me it's a very important part of my daily routine now. As much so as my morning cup of coffee(which probably doesn't help the keloids! ). You get to crave that soothing lotion and it has improved the surrounding areas no end.

The one thing I'm 100% certain shrinks keloid scars is msm taken internally. Give a few months. It's not going to happen overnight but within 3 months i think you'll notice that to touch the scars feel different and are noticeably starting to break down. It has changed my life to know that the scars are slowly improving rather than endlessly searching and going through the depression after another failed attempt at improving them. It works! And it's not crazy expensive.

Give it a go! Good luck, David


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