Keloids are raised scars that can be itchy and tender. They form when the skin produces too much collagen after an injury. People sometimes seek alternative treatments, such as tea tree oil, to treat keloids. But does tea tree oil work for keloids?
Understanding Keloids
A keloid is a special scar that happens when your skin gets injured and makes too much collagen, a protein that helps your skin heal. Keloids can be big or small and look shiny and raised. They might itch or feel sore and they can grow beyond the original injury area. Keloids can appear anywhere on your body but are often seen on the chest, back, shoulders, and earlobes. People aren’t sure why keloids form, but it’s probably because of genetics, how your skin heals, and how tight it is in that area.
Treating keloids can be tricky, and what works can vary from person to person. Here are some common ways to treat keloids:
- Steroid Injections: Doctors can inject steroids into keloids to help shrink them and make them less red and raised.
- Silicone Gel or Sheet: Using silicone gel or sheets on keloids can help flatten them out and make them softer.
- Pressure Therapy: Applying pressure to keloids with special dressings or pads can help flatten them over time.
- Cryotherapy: When you freeze keloids with liquid nitrogen, they get smaller and flatter.
- Surgery: Surgical removal of keloids is an option, but it can sometimes cause the keloid to come back even bigger.
- Laser Therapy: Laser treatment can help reduce the size and redness of keloids by targeting the blood vessels in the scar tissue.
- Radiation Therapy: After surgery, radiation therapy can be used to prevent keloids from coming back.
- Tea Tree Oil: Some believe it can help with keloids due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It might help lessen the redness, swelling, and burning.
Before you try any treatment, you should talk to a physician or other health care provider to ensure it’s safe and right for you. Because each keloid is different, what works for one person may not work for another.
Does tea tree oil help with keloids?
Tea tree oil, known for eliminating germs and reducing inflammation, is derived from Melaleuca alternifolia leaves. Some believe these properties can help with skin issues like acne and eczema. It’s thought that tea tree oil might also be helpful for keloids by reducing redness, swelling, and itching. Here are some reasons why you can use tea tree oil for keloids:
- Antimicrobial Properties: Tea tree oil contains compounds that can fight against bacteria and fungi. This property may help prevent infection in keloid scars, which can slow down healing and worsen scarring.
- Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Because tea tree oil reduces inflammation, it may help make keloids less red, swollen, and itchy. Inflammation is a key factor in keloid formation, so reducing it may improve the appearance of keloid scars.
- Collagen Regulation: Some studies suggest that tea tree oil may help regulate collagen production. This could benefit keloids, as excessive collagen production is a key feature of these scars.
It’s hard to say how long tea tree oil takes to heal keloids because it can vary. Some see results in a few weeks, but it could take longer. It’s important to use tea tree oil regularly and correctly.
Using Tea Tree Oil for Keloids
If you want to try using a tea tree to get rid of keloids, here are some tips:
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- Dilute the oil: Tea tree oil is strong and can irritate the skin if used undiluted. Before using it, combine it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil.
- Patch test: Before putting tea tree oil on a bigger skin area, test a small area to see if it reacts.
- Apply gently: Use a gentle, circular motion when applying tea tree oil to keloids.
- Be consistent: Put tea tree oil on it once or twice daily for a few weeks to see if it helps.
Aside from keloids, tea tree oil can also treat piercings. Mixing oils with carrier oils, such as coconut or jojoba is important. If you put tea tree oil on straight, it can be too strong and irritate the skin. Only use a small amount of diluted tea tree oil, and avoid applying it directly inside the piercing hole. If you have any irritation or problems, stop using it.
Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil for Keloids
Here are few ways that tea tree oil can potentially aid with keloids:
- Diluted Tea Tree Oil: Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with whatever you usually use, such as olive or coconut oil. Apply this mixture to the keloid and gently massage it into your skin twice daily.
- Tea Tree Oil Spray: Combine water and tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Spray the keloid with this mix and let it dry. Do this twice every day.
- Tea Tree Oil and Aloe Vera: Mix aloe vera juice and tea tree oil together. Apply this to the keloid, allow 15 to 20 minutes, and then rinse with water. Repeat this twice a day.
- Tea Tree Oil and Honey: Mix tea tree oil with honey to make a paste. Apply this paste to the keloid for 15 to 20 minutes. After that, rinse it with water. Repeat twice daily.
- Tea Tree Oil and Jojoba Oil: Mix tea tree and jojoba oil. Apply this mixture to the keloid and gently massage it into your skin. Repeat twice a day.
Tea tree oil can irritate the skin, so dilute it first. Before these keloid treatments, talking to a healthcare professional is also a good idea.
Considerations for Using Tea Tree Oil for Keloids
Tea tree oil is a natural treatment that some people think can help with keloids because it kills germs and reduces inflammation. While limited scientific evidence supports its effectiveness specifically for keloids, it may be worth trying as a complementary treatment. Using tea tree oil properly and consistently is important, but results vary.