From the Research
Calcipotriene is not typically recommended for treating keloids, and instead, treatments such as corticosteroid injections, silicone gel sheets, pressure therapy, cryotherapy, laser therapy, surgical excision, or radiation therapy are preferred. Calcipotriene (also known as calcipotriol) is a vitamin D analog primarily used to treat psoriasis by normalizing skin cell growth and reducing inflammation. There is limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for keloid treatment. Keloids are raised scar tissue that extend beyond the original wound boundaries due to excessive collagen production during healing. Standard treatments for keloids include corticosteroid injections (such as triamcinolone 10-40 mg/mL every 4-6 weeks), silicone gel sheets (worn 12-24 hours daily for months), pressure therapy, cryotherapy, laser therapy, surgical excision (often combined with other treatments to prevent recurrence), or radiation therapy for severe cases. These approaches work by reducing inflammation, inhibiting collagen synthesis, or breaking down excess collagen.
Key Points to Consider
- The most recent and highest quality study on keloid treatment does not mention calcipotriene as a recommended treatment option 1.
- Silicone gel sheeting has been shown to be effective in preventing and alleviating hypertrophic scarring, although the evidence is not uniformly strong 2, 3.
- Intralesional cryosurgery combined with topical silicone gel sheeting has been found to be effective in treating refractory keloids 4.
- Intralesional cryosurgery followed by intralesional steroid injection is also a good combination therapy for treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars 5. If you're concerned about keloids, it's best to consult a dermatologist who can recommend appropriate treatment based on the size, location, and characteristics of your specific keloid.