12 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Keloids + Causes + Symptoms
Keloids are enlarged scars that are caused due to the anomalous growth of fibrous tissues. They are considered benign fibrous tumors of the skin. They are irregularly shaped, pink, have a smooth appearance, and increase progressively in size (1), (2). Keloids are one of those scars that don’t stop growing and enlarge with time. If you are looking for naturals ways to get rid of keloids, check out the remedies listed below.
Note: These remedies may not help in treating keloids completely. However, they may help manage the symptoms. Consult your doctor if you notice the appearance of keloids.
How To Get Rid Of Keloids
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Aspirin
- Lemon Juice
- Baking Soda
- Sandalwood And Rose Water
- Garlic
- Grapefruit Seed Extract
- Honey
- Aloe Vera Gel
- Petroleum Jelly
- Onion Juice
- Honey
Home Remedies For Keloids Removal
1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Keloids
Apple cider is a chemical exfoliant and astringent. It may help in minimizing the redness and size of the scar (3).
You Will Need
- Apple cider vinegar
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Dilute ACV with an equal amount of water.
- Apply the mixture to the keloid and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this twice daily for 4-5 weeks.
2. Aspirin For Keloids
Topical aspirin is very useful in treating keloids. Its anti-inflammatory and exfoliating properties prove beneficial in this case (4). However, it should be used under a physicians’s guidance.
You Will Need
- 3-4 aspirin tablets
- Water
What You Have To Do
- Make a smooth, thick paste of crushed aspirin tablets with water.
- Clean the scars, apply this paste, and let it dry.
- Wash it off and then apply moisturizer.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this once every day or every alternate day.
3. Lemon Juice For Keloids
Lemon is rich in vitamin C and works as an excellent antioxidant in quick healing of the keloid scar. Within a few weeks of application, you will notice changes in the flexibility, texture, and color of the skin (5).
You Will Need
Lemon juice
What You Have To Do
- Apply lemon juice directly on the affected area and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash the area with warm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this 2 times daily.
4. Baking Soda For Keloids
Baking soda is an abrasive agent that may help in exfoliating and keeping the skin clean. It also soothes the irritated skin and reduces any swelling (6), (7). However, there is no scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness in treating keloids.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons 3% hydrogen peroxide
- Cotton ball
What You Have To Do
- Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste to the affected area using a cotton ball and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this 2 times daily
5. Sandalwood And Rose Water For Keloids
Sandalwood is known for its skin regenerating property, and rose water has anti-inflammatory properties and is a skin toner (8), (9). These properties may help treat keloids.
You Will Need
- 1-2 teaspoons sandalwood powder
- Rose water
What You Have To Do
- Make a thick paste of sandalwood in rose water and apply it to the affected area before you go to bed.
- Leave it on overnight.
- Wash it off the next morning with warm water.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this every night.
6. Garlic
Garlic prevents excess fibroblast proliferation that is mainly responsible for the enlargement of keloid scars. It also improves blood circulation to the area, and this helps in fastening the healing process of the keloid (10).
You Will Need
1-2 garlic cloves
What You Have To Do
- Apply crushed garlic cloves on the scars and leave it for 15 minutes.
- Wash the area later with lukewarm water.
You can also use garlic oil instead of fresh garlic cloves.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this every day, preferably 2 times a day.
7. Grapefruit Seed Extract For Keloids
Grapefruit seed extract contains antioxidants, vitamin C, and phytochemical compounds that help reduce scars (11). This may help reduce the size of the keloids.
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon water
- 2-3 drops grapefruit seed extract
- Q-tip
What You Have To Do
- Dilute the grapefruit seed extract in water.
- Dip the Q-tip in this mixture and apply it to the keloid.
- Leave it on for as long as possible.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 2 times a day.
8. Honey For Keloids
Honey prevents dead cells from accumulating in the affected area, enhances blood circulation, and speeds up the healing process (12). Tualang honey, in particular, is very effective in reducing keloids (13).
You Will Need
Honey
What You Have To Do
- Apply fresh honey directly to your scars.
- Massage gently and leave it on for 30-40 minutes.
- Rinse with water.
How Often You Should Do This
You can apply honey 2 times daily.
9. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that help in healing keloids (14). It also reduces soreness and inflammation and has wound healing properties (15).
You Will Need
An aloe leaf
What You Have To Do
- Cut open the leaf and extract the gel.
- Clean the affected area with lukewarm water and apply the aloe vera gel.
- Leave it for about 30 minutes before rinsing it off. You can also leave it on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply aloe vera gel 2 times a day.
10. Petroleum Jelly
A simple way to reduce keloid scars is to keep the area moisturized and hydrated at all times. Petroleum jelly, being an occlusive agent, traps the moisture and helps in reducing the scars (16). However, there is no scientific evidence to prove this effect.
You Will Need
Petroleum jelly
What You Have To Do
Clean the area and massage it with petroleum jelly.
How Often You Should Do This
Reapply the jelly 3-4 times in a day.
11. Onion Juice
The effectiveness of onion in reducing keloid and hypertrophic scars was tested a few years back. It was shown that the appearance of the scars improved to a great deal with this treatment. Onion juice or onion extract used multiple mechanisms to heal scars in a short period (17).
You Will Need
- 1 white onion
- A cheesecloth
- Cotton
What You Have To Do
- Chop the onion, place it in a cheesecloth, and squeeze out the onion juice.
- Apply this on the keloid scar with the cotton. There is no need to rinse it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Repeat this 3-4 times in a day.
12. Oils To Treat Keloids
There are multiple combinations of oils that may work in fading away keloid scars. Fish oil and mineral oil, in particular, help treat keloids (18).Some essential oils possess skin regenerating and healing properties, along with antioxidants, to aid the carrier oil in healing the keloids.
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
- A few drops of rosehip seed oil
OR
- 1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
- Few drops of tea tree essential oil
- 1-2 drops neem oil (optional)
OR
A few drops of Jamaican black castor oil
OR
A few drops of frankincense essential oil
What You Have To Do
Apply a blend of the oils mentioned to the affected area and massage gently.
How Often You Should Do This
You can repeat this remedy several times every day for better results.
Prevention Tips
- Avoid body piercings, tattoos, and other cosmetic skin surgeries as there are more chances of keloids developing after these procedures.
- Treat skin scars immediately rather than leaving them to heal on their own.
- Cover a new wound with petroleum jelly and a nonstick bandage. Ensure that there is even pressure on the wound.
The above-listed home remedies for keloids removal need to be followed religiously to show results. A keloid scar can be stubborn and take a while to go away. Be consistent with the remedy you pick.
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
Are Keloid Scars Contagious?
A keloid scar is not contagious at all. It is the result of skin injury that you have suffered personally and will spread with contact.
Are keloids dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous. They mostly develop at a site of a previous skin injury and can be treated easily.
18 sources
- McGinty S, Siddiqui WJ. Keloid. [Updated 2020 Jan 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, 2020 Jan.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507899/ - Kelly, A P. “Keloids.” Dermatologic clinics vol. 6,3 (1988): 413-24.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3048824/ - Gaston, Anca, and Robert F Garry. “Topical vitamin A treatment of recalcitrant common warts.” Virology journal vol. 9 21.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22251397/ - Edriss, A S, and J Mesták. “Management of keloid and hypertrophic scars.” Annals of burns and fire disasters vol. 18,4 (2005): 202-10.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3187998/ - Park, Hyun Jeong et al. “Vitamin C attenuates ERK signalling to inhibit the regulation of collagen production by LL-37 in human dermal fibroblasts.” Experimental dermatology vol. 19,8 (2010): e258-64.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20163451/ - Milstone, Leonard M. “Scaly skin and bath pH: rediscovering baking soda.” Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 62.5 (2010): 885-886.
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(09)00493-9/abstract - Quandt, Sara A et al. “Home Remedy Use Among African American and White Older Adults.” Journal of the National Medical Association vol. 107,2 (2015): 121-9.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4631220/ - Kumar, Dinesh. “Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities of methanolic wood extract of Pterocarpus santalinus L.” Journal of pharmacology & pharmacotherapeutics vol. 2,3 (2011): 200-2.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3157138/ - Boskabady, Mohammad Hossein et al. “Pharmacological effects of rosa damascena.” Iranian journal of basic medical sciences vol. 14,4 (2011): 295-307.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3586833/ - Bayan, Leyla et al. “Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects.” Avicenna journal of phytomedicine vol. 4,1 (2014): 1-14.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/ - Moalla Rekik, Dorsaf et al. “Evaluation of Wound Healing Properties of Grape Seed, Sesame, and Fenugreek Oils.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 2016 (2016): 7965689.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5136421/ - Ediriweera, E R H S S, and N Y S Premarathna. “Medicinal and cosmetic uses of Bee’s Honey – A review.” Ayu vol. 33,2 (2012): 178-82.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3611628/ - Nurul Syazana, Mohamad Shah et al. “Antiproliferative effect of methanolic extraction of tualang honey on human keloid fibroblasts.” BMC complementary and alternative medicine vol. 11 82.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21943200/ - Fulton, J E Jr. “The stimulation of postdermabrasion wound healing with stabilized aloe vera gel-polyethylene oxide dressing.” The Journal of dermatologic surgery and oncology vol. 16,5 (1990): 460-7.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2341661/ - Surjushe, Amar et al. “Aloe vera: a short review.” Indian journal of dermatology vol. 53,4 (2008): 163-6.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/ - Commander, Sarah Jane et al. “Update on Postsurgical Scar Management.” Seminars in plastic surgery vol. 30,3 (2016): 122-8.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4961501/ - Hosnuter, M et al. “The effects of onion extract on hypertrophic and keloid scars.” Journal of wound care vol. 16,6 (2007): 251-4.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17722521/ - Olaitan, Peter B et al. “Inhibitory activities of omega-3 Fatty acids and traditional african remedies on keloid fibroblasts.” Wounds : a compendium of clinical research and practice vol. 23,4 (2011): 97-106.
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