Let me guess: you Googled “how to get rid of a keloid,” and suddenly you’re knee-deep in a vortex of expensive creams, Reddit rabbit holes, and dermatologist jargon. That was me—desperate, frustrated, and tired of throwing money at what felt like hope in a jar.
This is not a sponsored post. I’m not a doctor. I’m just someone who had a persistent, angry keloid on my shoulder that made me weirdly self-conscious—and I tried everything to get rid of it.
Here’s what worked. And what really didn’t.
First: The Keloid Struggle Is Very Real
If you’ve never had a keloid, it’s easy to think it’s “just a scar.”
But if you have one (or more), you already know: they itch, they throb, they grow past the original wound, and they absolutely mess with your confidence. The worst part? Even when you treat them, they come back like a villain in a sequel no one asked for.
That’s why this article exists—because trial-and-error treatments are exhausting, and I wish I had this list when I started.
The 7 Treatments I Tried (and the Raw Truth About Each One)
1. Silicone Sheets (ScarAway, etc.)
Verdict: Mildly Effective if You’re Relentlessly Consistent
I wore these religiously for 3 months, even sleeping with them on. The keloid softened a bit, but never shrank. The upside? It stopped itching. The downside? You’ll go broke restocking them if your scar is big.
Wish I knew: They’re better for fresh scars, not old battle wounds.
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2. Corticosteroid Injections
Verdict: Most Effective—But Painful and Temporary
This was the only thing that visibly shrank my keloid. After 3 sessions spaced a few weeks apart, it reduced by about 50%. But here’s the catch: after 6 months, it started creeping back.
Wish I knew: Maintenance injections may be needed. Also, the needle? Not fun.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Compresses
Verdict: Did Literally Nothing
It stung. It smelled. And after 4 weeks of religious application? No change—unless you count the rash it gave me.
Wish I knew: Pinterest is not a dermatologist.
4. Onion Extract Gels (Mederma)
Verdict: Overrated and Overhyped
Everyone swears by Mederma. My wallet disagrees. Used twice a day for 10 weeks, and I saw… maybe a 5% difference?
Wish I knew: Marketing > Results in this case.
5. Laser Therapy
Verdict: Promising but Pricey and Not for Everyone
My dermatologist warned me that lasers can sometimes worsen pigmentation in darker skin tones. We tried one session cautiously. The redness faded a bit, but no size reduction.
Wish I knew: It’s not a one-size-fits-all fix. Always ask about risks, especially for melanated skin.
6. Cryotherapy (Freezing the Keloid)
Verdict: Made It Worse—And I Regret It Deeply
This is the one that backfired. It scabbed. Peeled. Then regrew bigger. I was devastated.
Wish I knew: Cryo has a high recurrence rate, especially on keloids that already had injections. Don't stack aggressive treatments too fast.
7. Pressure Earrings / Dressings (for Earlobe Keloids)
Verdict: Surprisingly Effective for Newer Scars
If your keloid is from a piercing, these clip-on pressure earrings (after steroid injections) do help flatten them. Mine wasn’t on my ear, but a friend had great results.
Wish I knew: The location of the scar changes everything.
So… What Actually Helped?
Steroid injections + patience were the only combo that worked visibly. Everything else either helped slightly, not at all, or made it worse.
And here’s the biggest truth: you need to treat keloids like a chronic skin condition, not a one-time fix. They are stubborn, and recurrence is common.
The Emotional Side No One Talks About
I hated wearing sleeveless tops. I hated people asking, “What happened there?” I spent too long being embarrassed about something I didn’t cause.
Keloids mess with more than just your skin—they mess with how you feel in it.
So if you’re dealing with this right now: you’re not alone. And you're not vain or weird for wanting it gone.
Final Advice (From Someone Who’s Been There)
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Start early if you can. Fresh keloids are easier to treat.
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Less is more—don’t attack your skin with 5 treatments at once.
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See a dermatologist before spending hundreds on products.
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Manage expectations. The goal might be reduction, not total disappearance.
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