Natural Treatment for Keloid Scars

| Modified on Dec 12, 2023
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A keloid can be described simply as a scar that does not stop growing. Normally, as the skin is injured, fibrous tissue, known as scar tissue, grows over the wound to heal and protect the injury. In some cases, though, this scar tissue continues to grow, forming a smooth, firm growth known as a keloid. Keloids are typically much larger than the original wound and are most often found on the upper chest and shoulders; however, keloids can develop anywhere.

As keloids occur as the overgrowth of scar tissue, these growths form at the site of a prior injury. Symptoms also manifest at the injury site and include a flesh-colored area of skin that is pink to red in color, a lumpy or ridged patch of skin, a section of scar tissue that continues to grow, and itchiness at the site of the growth.


Keloids develop as the result of the overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of an injury. Most injury types can contribute to or cause keloids including acne scars, burns, chickenpox scars, ear piercings, scratches, surgical cuts, and vaccination sites. The exact cause for the development of keloid scarring is unknown.

Natural Keloid Treatment and Keloid Removal

Keloid scarring is common and typically does not require medical attention. However, keloid scars can often be uncomfortable or itchy. As such, some keloid treatment may prove beneficial.

DMSO

Applied topically at least twice a day for a few weeks, DMSO can flatten the raised tissue found in a Keloid Scar and remove some discoloration.

One small study with 10 people in 1964 found that applying 80% DMSO twice a day induced scar flattening with loosening of the collagen surrounding the fibrous bundles. 1

Natural Remedies

Additional keloid treatments include the topical application of healing substances. Apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, calendula cream, lavender, and saltwater can help diminish the symptoms and appearance of a keloid.

Keloid removal can also be completed by applying a paste of crushed acetaminophen and water to the site of the keloid for several days.

Gotu kola, gum spirit of turpentine, and honey can also offer relief and treatment of keloids.

Continue reading below for feedback from Earth Clinic readers to learn which remedies worked best!


1 Horita, A., and L.J. Weber. Life Sci. (Oxford), 3:1389, 1964.


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.

Acetaminophen

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

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.

Replied by Ty
(Riverside, California)
06/11/2013

So was the keloid fairly new? Did you try it right away or no? Also, how big was the keloid?

Replied by Paula
(Mississauga, Ontario, Canada)
06/16/2013

My daughter's keloid was probably 6 months or older. Her room mate, as I have stated, was very prone to getting keloids quite frequently. It was her doctor who recommended the Tylenol. It was approx. The size of a dime. She would make a paste of tylenol with a few drops of water and leave it on for a short period of about five minutes. It would start to feel like it was burning but started to immediately feel it changing. The colour went from dark to red to lighter as it started to respond to the Tylenol. On about the third application it broke open and oozed a pus like substance and than scabbed over and shrunk about 2/3s.

Replied by Ren
(Vancouver, British Columbia)
06/29/2013

Can you tell me what king of Tylenol did your daughter use since there are too many kinds sold in the store.

Replied by Keloid Scarred
(Vermont)
11/20/2013

If some puss came out and it scabbed over and healed, it was not a keloid scar. Keloids are fibrous scars, not infections. I've had keloids for 50 years and the only thing I have found that fixes them is eating soy products, like soy veggie patties over several years.

Doctors have tried a number of things to deal with them, like cutting one off, which only resulted in an infection and a worse keloid when that healed. I also endured 300 injections of cortisone into the scars themselves when I was young, in college. You can imagine how painful that was, with no results.

Vitamin E is the only thing that makes a difference at all. I imagine that the soy patties have a lot of Vitamin E, and who knows what else. But it makes the scars go flat, and has even reduced the discoloration to the point where many of them have become invisible.

Lloyd
(U.S.)
08/03/2021

The soy probably worked because it has nattokinase in it which might break down scar tissue. They also sell it in capsule form. It's mostly used as a natural blood thinner and to dissolve blood clots.

Replied by Ben
(Uk)
04/19/2014

From my understanding, a keloid scar can form over a site of infection such as a boil on the chest. Could this not be what happened here?

Replied by Katie
(Me)
09/20/2016

Did your old scars go flat?


Apple Cider Vinegar

21 User Reviews
5 star (11) 
  52%
4 star (5) 
  24%
3 star (1) 
  5%
1 star (1) 
  5%
(3) 
  14%

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!!

Replied by Aby
(Philippines)
11/22/2016

Hi, can you teach how to apply the Apple cidar? Do you use cotton, if yes how many minutes, and in one day how many times. Do you observe is there pus bec the shape of my keloid in chest Is concave its like elevated.


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!!

Replied by Patricia
(Downsville)
07/28/2016
42 posts

Rev,

What is a plaster?

patricia

Replied by T
(Jj)
08/28/2016

A plaster is a band-aid.

Replied by Rue
(Zimbabwe)
09/28/2016

Wow, I read your post and have been using ACV for 3 wks now .my ear keloid has gotten 50% smaller.

Replied by Baseleak
(Malaysia)
05/09/2017

Did it stop the keloid from growing permanently? Because I'm having keloid for more than 10 years already..and I've tried surgery and steroid injections but it still grows back. Does apple cider vinegar helps? Because I'm having keloids on my earlobe.

Replied by Shelly
(Delhi, India)
08/25/2017

Could you plese lemme know, does it burn, after applying ACv, in initial days. as I am applying after reading your review, but finding it more hard and swollen than before. pl if you can tell. thanks
,


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!

Replied by Denise
(Ga)
11/20/2016

How is it doing? I'm still struggling with mine.

Replied by Sharan
(Raichur, India)
08/16/2017

Can raw ACV be applied on keloid which is on chest?

Replied by Mini
(Ohio)
08/16/2017

Yes, but dilute with water. Equal parts of both.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
08/17/2017

Sharan, start out with well diluted ACV and see how you tolerate it.


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.


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.

Replied by Gopinath G K
(Madurai, Tamilnadu)
03/11/2016

Shall I apply apple cider vinegar in my plain fingers on keloid or cotton required. Kindly advice. I have 15 keloids in my chest and shoulders. Apple vinegar with mother Or Plain apple vinegar. Which of the above I have to use?

Replied by Linda
(Abuja, Nigeria)
09/11/2023

Hello, I want to ask. Can someone pls recommend a brand of apple cider vinegar and how to apply it specifically. And how often eg morning and night or just over night. If overnight what do I do with the dabbed cotton wool with band aid in the morning? When it starts eating the keloid what do I do leave it open or dab another cotton wool and put on the open wound pls help I have one I operated a year ago and it came back 3 times the previous size behind my ears that was pierced

Rob
(Kentucky)
09/11/2023

From my notes:

Put Apple Cider Vinegar solution on keloid for about 5 days where I soaked a cotton with ACV and keep it on my Keloid from the time.

A great home remedy for treating keloids is apple cider vinegar because it helps minimize the size and redness of the scar.

  1. Apply diluted apple cider vinegar to water ratio 1~10 directly on a gauze the affected area so the vinegar is well absorbed into the skin.

  2. Bandage it in place in order to expedite healing.

  3. I've seen this treatment resolve keloids in under one week.

If the apple cider vinegar causes any skin irritation, you can dilute it with water even more.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mohammed (Sydney) on 06/23/2015
★☆☆☆☆

I have applied Apple Cider Vinegar to my earlobe piercing where my keloid is located it is very small but noticeable. I apply Apple Cider Vinegar undiluted day and night for a 2-3 weeks my ear has scabbed but the keloid seem to be of no reduction in size. My ear has scarred over anda dark and very ugly looking.

Someone help please???

Replied by L
(City, Fl)
03/07/2017

Try Bc powder.. Make a paste and leave it on for 30 min. Got rid of a keloid on my belly button piercing

Replied by Elizabeth T.
(Boise, Id Usa)
09/03/2017

What is BC powder?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Hydenryke (Mn., US) on 03/25/2015

Hi - I just was reading about ACV as a cure for keloid scarring. I had surgery on my chest 4-5 years ago now. I had massive keloids across my whole chest where the pec muscles lay.

They started out fine and over time got really raised and hurt. I ended up going in to get steroid shots. It helped flatten them 95% from what they were. There are a couple tiny spots that are a little bumpy yet, but I am not concerned about that anymore.

My question is, since they are so pink and have been since I had surgery, would ACV help bring that pinkness down to a more natural skin tone? Or does anyone have any suggestions to make the color fade? I just want to be able to walk around without my shirt on outside, and it's killing me that these scars are so prominent that I am going to get nothing but stares, whispers and points from people.

Replied by Tch
(Nc)
05/26/2015

My son had an extremely painful raised keloid appear after having a mole with cancerous cells removed from his chest. He was 6 years old. The keloid was surgically removed last year, he was 17. We were hopeful his chest would heal properly but it did not. The keloid came back with a vengance. It is now triple the size it was and much more painful. I am trying now to get him into a keloid clinic. I will have him try the ACV over the next week and let you know of the results....

Kia
(England)
04/05/2016

Hi Tch Nc

Did the ACV help for your son? This is because I am experiencing the same issue and I am planning to start on using the ACV.

Replied by Dorriel
(Texas)
08/04/2015

I have been reading that some doctors have been very successful using lasers. Pick a dermatologist who does this a lot.


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Alejandra (Los Angeles, Ca) on 02/17/2015

Hello, For the past 2 weeks I've been looking for help to get rid of multiple keloids on my ears due to piercing. I specially want to get rid of one that is the size of a pea, it's really uncomfortable to have it I always have to wear my hair down when I go out so people won't see it. I've had it for over a year in half; at first it started small. I didn't put to much in to it because I had one before and it went away by putting pressure on it using an earring so I thought the same would happen but it didn't. After I let my other piercings close that's when the other keloids appeared. Searching online I found your page and I read others experiences with the apple cider vinegar so I have been trying it for 3 days now. Somehow, the pea sized keloid started at first to turn purple-ish, then it scabbed and I peeled it off. I don't know if I did wrong because some type of pus comes out. I don't know what to do, please help.

Replied by Mama to Many
(Tennessee)
02/17/2015

Dear Alejandra,

Perhaps some infection got in during the scab formation? I would clean it with some iodine or hydrogen peroxide.

If you can get some activated charcoal powder, you can make a poultice to put over the area overnight. You would put a little plastic wrap over the poultice and use a bandana to attach it to your head.

Here is how to make a charcoal poultice.

I would use one each night until all infection is cleared. You can use one during the day, too, if you like. The longer the charcoal is on in a day, the more quickly it will heal. Use a clean poultice each night, and a new one for the daytime if you use it then as well.

It sounds like you are moving in the right direction. I hope you are all healed up soon!

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Missp916
(Sacramento, California)
02/28/2015

I haven't tried it yet, but from what I am reading the pus is normal. It means its working


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

Replied by Nathalie
(Johannesburg)
04/28/2015

Please tell exactly how to apply because I don't understand what is ACV? does it stand for apple cide vinegar?

Replied by Nyjhia
(St.louis)
06/04/2015

Yes, ACV stands for Apple Cider Vinigar. Today is my first day trying it and I plan on sleeping with it over night.

Replied by Rehan
(Abu Dhabi, Uae)
08/03/2015

Dear Nyjhia, could you please share your experience after applying ACV.

Replied by V Kumar
(Pune)
08/19/2015

Dear Tjgarcia,

I am glad to hear that ACV has worked for you. I am writing to request you for further progress on your scar treatment. I have never used ACV on my Chest Keloid which is approx 5cm x 2 cm in size and active causing lot of pain and itching. I wanted to know, how was your Keloid before ACV treatment? Was it active ( pain or itching)?

I am little skeptical to start my ACV treatment at home as I am not sure about its side effect. Did keloid returns after getting treated with ACV or it gets permanently cured.

Request you to kindly share your experience. Your experiece with ACV will definitely help us. Thanks in advance for your help.

Replied by Marissa
(U.S.)
03/16/2016

I know this is an older post, so I'm not sure if you will see or respond to my comment but I would like to know more about your ACV process and your results! I have a keloid scar on my chest and I have been using ACV. I have noticed it getting smaller, but it is also getting raw and then scabbing over. I have read that this is normal because of the acidity of the ACV eating away the scar tissue. Did this happen to you as well? And how well did it work in the long run? Did this method remove your keloid completely, and if so, how long did it take? Thank you!! :)

Replied by Durrya
(Karachi)
09/17/2017

I accidentally rub my keloid with cotton pad while massaging and it became red and I am feeling some burning sensation now.
So what should I do now? Should I continue applying ACV or not?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Visha (India) on 12/14/2014

Anybody Tried ACV on Chest Keloids that are 15 years older?

I want to use alternative methods for the treatment of keloid...I tried steroid injections and other ayurvedic treatment...which are not so useful. I believe steroid injections gave me another keloid near the old one....since then I stopped injections...

Before taking some aggressive treatments like Cryotherapy or Radaiation... want to try alternate methods... Please post your experience with alternative treatment for CHEST KELOIDS

Replied by Jess
(Usa)
12/27/2014

Some people try to "burn" off the keloid with ACV or other acidic pastes, but I think that is a bad idea. I would not recommend ACV for the removal of any keloid, ever. Let me tell you why.

As someone who has keloids and hypertrophic scars (there's a difference, and I have both.), I have studied the formation and treatment of these scars down to the sciences and protein signals that cause them.

Keloids are formed because your body is responding to inflammation. When you are damaged, your body tries to heal. Unfortunately for us keloided folks, our bodies don't know when to STOP healing. Our bodies keep sending out an inflammatory protein even after we're already healed, which is what makes the fibrous, raised, discolored scar tissue.

When you "burn" off your keloid with ACV or something similar, you are re-wounding yourself. Your body will sense the wound and send the signals out to heal. Sure, the keloid may disappear for some time, but there is a huge, HUGE chance that it will return (and probably be bigger than the first time). Think about it: your body over-responds to a wound by forming a keloid. If you try to remove the keloid by creating another wound for your body to heal, a new keloid will form. It has like a 93% chance of reforming.

Those shots that you receive in the keloid are corticosteroids. They are extremely anti-inflammatory. When the doctors give you those, they are essentially trying to send anti-inflammatory signals into the scar so that it will stop putting out that inflammatory protein that keeps telling your body that more tissue is needed.

Radiation is also done because it has the ability to disrupt this inflammatory protein. Believe it or not, the protein responsible for keloids is one of the same proteins that causes tumor growth in cancer--the NF-KB protein. Keloids ARE NOT cancer, but that's why cancer treatments (like radiation) are sometimes done for keloids. That doesn't make them ideal options, though.

I have treated my scars with the use of Serrapeptase. It is an enzyme that I order off Amazon and take by mouth. It eats fibrous, dead tissue from the inside out. I've been taking it for around 7 months, and my keloids are flatter and more blended in to my shoulder. My shoulder keloids are 15 years old, and this is the only thing I do to treat them.

My hypertrophic scars on my abdomen are only around 6 months old. I am currently using silicone gel and/or sheets to treat them (as well as the serrapeptase enzyme, obviously). I've noticed that they are flatter when I eat a high anti-inflammatory diet (lots of fruits and vegetables) and take anti-inflammatory supplements (turmeric, for example.)

A highly anti-inflammatory diet, serrapeptase (and possibly natokinase. It also eats fibrous/dead tissue, but don't take it if you're allergic to soy. I am allergic to soy, so I cannot take this enzyme.), silicone treatments, and/or rosehip oil/lavender oil/helichrysum oil/quercitin. Be soothing, not damaging. Good luck.

Replied by Visha
(India)
02/23/2015

Are your scars Keloids or just scars or Hypothetic scars? Please respond as you have a good knowledge on the keloids and scars

Replied by Visha
(India)
02/23/2015

Hi Jess,

Thanks for the information, as you mentioned serrapeptase eats fibrous and other dead tissues, can we combine it with cryotheraphy, like have done cryotherapy and have the serrapeptase along with it for some months it will reduce the inflamation caused by cryo...

Did you know anybody who had done like this? Please respond ASAP.

Replied by Ify
(Nigeria)
08/17/2015

Please what's the best brand of Serrapeptase to take as I heard some of them use substances that could cause side effects. Again, which unit do I start with?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (Seattle, Wa) on 10/17/2014

Hi all,

I'm currently using raw apple cider vinegar (actually, it is turmeric vinegar, made the same way as raw ACV but using turmeric root -- it's only available here in India where I'm currently traveling) on my keloids and have experienced the following over the past 5 days:

- burning and itching on the scars when vinegar is applied

- dark scabbing. Some of the scabs have come off, revealing bright pink tissue underneath -- it's still the keloid though, and I'm wondering if it will actually flatten and lighten up with continued application? It's only been 5 days.

I've been putting the vinegar on in 2 ways: (1) made little patches out of a cotton towel and taped them on for longer periods, up to overnight and (2) apply every vinegar few minutes with a cotton swab when I'm not using the patches. The patches keep it on longer, but they're big and inconvenient, and the tape irritates my skin a lot.

Does anyone know if vinegar can actually restore the scar tissue to the texture of normal skin, or does it just flatten it slowly by process of erosion?

I'm also wondering if hydrogen peroxide is a good option, and if anyone has done both at the same time (alternating)? How does the hydrogen peroxide work? The vinegar makes sense to me (like a peel facial! ), but the h/p is confusing.

Greatly appreciate any and all responses! I've had my keloids for 15 - 31 years (almost my whole life) and would love to see change. Thanks!

Replied by Stephanie
(United States)
10/22/2014

I was also wondering the same thing. My skin has peeled to the white meat with the Apple Cider Vinegar but it doesnt seem to be doing anything else. I would sleep with the Apple Cider Vinegar on and then in the morning after my shower and when the scabs peeled off I would put hydrogen peroxide on the open sore and cover it with a bandaide. I read this morning that lugols iodine can work too which I had some in my medicine cabinet so now I did my regular routine but over top of the peroxide I put the iodine and covered it with a bandaid. Hopefully this will help dissolve the excess tissue away to completely flatten it. It itches like crazy though. Ive been struggling with this keloid for 9 years and im more than ready for it to be gone!

Replied by Jasmyne
(Las Vegas, NV)
12/17/2014

Hi Susan I wanted to see if your keloid went away yet because I'm at the stage where my keloid opened up and the keloid is still there but it's a fleshy lump. I wanted to know has your keloid flattened since you last posted on here and what stage are you at now; like can you describe what yours look like now? Thanks a lot, hope to hear from you soon :)

Replied by Sky
(Fort Lauderdale, Fl.)
03/22/2015

Hi peroxide and ACV mixture does not work. I tried it. It made the keliod bigger. I never knew I could use it on closed scar. I used it as prevention. Now that same scar that became bigger I'm using ACV only. I spray ACV on a bandage and spray through out day. It's getting smaller. I'm shocked cuz this scar is stubborn. I've tried almost everything for like 5 years.


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.

Replied by Violet
(Nigeria)
08/27/2014

i have a keliod scar from the CS operation to have my son. its so big and ugly that I am so ashamed even to undress in front of a mirror or before my husband. I have had it removed with surgery but it grew back even bigger this time.

I saw your post on ACV and I have decided to use it. after the first day it looked like there was dirt on the scar. I have used it for three days now and today it looks like the skin is peeling off. I am worried cos I dont want anther injury there, but I want to know if its normal.

truly it smells bad. but if it would work I am willing to stick to using it.

Replied by Angel
(Tx)
03/08/2015

Hi I have a large keloid(1 yr) between my breast I went through horrible experience of surgery and injections which actually left me with a larger scar. It is flat in areas but others it's not. Will apple vinegar lighten to make scar to blend in with my skin...HELP

Replied by Adrian
(Norfolk, Va)
04/11/2015

What kind of ACV did you use?

Babra
(Uganda)
11/19/2022

Kindly, which ACV brand should I use? Is any brand okay?

Replied by Nancy
(Montreal)
06/21/2015

How many time a day do u put on the scar?

Replied by Cristina
(Ct)
03/17/2016

Thanks so much for the info, I have 2 keloids on my chest and one on my back I started using ACV last night, I hope it works!!!

Ify
(Nigeria)
04/01/2016

I tried it once by leaving it overnight on my skin with cotton wool and it darkened my skin. I will try again by pressing it to my skin for some minutes every night. Hope this works.

Replied by Favour Eyam
(Nigeria)
07/29/2018
★★★★★

I had keloid scar, after I tried piercing my ear, I've used raw ACV for d past 1week I could tell it has done well, I hope it goes n never return forever


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!

Replied by Rahim
(Mo, US)
09/26/2014

Mark ,

I wanna try ACV on my chest got 5 yr keloids, a little bit worried on applying. Did your keloid go away completely?

Replied by Julie
(Philippines)
11/21/2014

Hi! I do also have this keloid for 5 years now and im very much self conscious about it. I've seen the recent posts and I've been using ACV for two weeks now. Its also scabbing a lot, also the unaffected areas near the keloid. There also is a white meat I see in CHEST PART where my keloid is. Is that natural or what ? It also stings really hard, its tolerable. Please email me as soon as possible because Im really worried of this situation now if it might be infected. I hope ACV really works. Thanks for the testimonials. I hope and pray that it might get better sooner never later.

Replied by Juliejab
(Batangas City, Philippines)
11/21/2014

Hi ? I do want to ask if Apple Cider Vinegar is really effective for treating Keloid (5 year old) I've been using it for 2 weeks now and there has been a scab, and it stings. The testimonials have been an eager push for me to try ACV. Please email me for more information about ACV's BENEFIT for treating keloids. Thank you. God Bless.

Replied by Mary
(Columbus, Hi)
01/15/2015

Hi I had my keliod occurred when I pierced my ear in high school. The scar grew about the size of a large grape on the back of my ear then grew out the front of my ear the size of a pea. I got the scar removed a year ago and now it's coming back. Do you think these Apple Cider Vinegar treatments will work for me? I want to stop it while it's still small.

Replied by Thaps
(Jhb, South Africa)
04/27/2015

Hi people, I've had my keloids at the back of my head. They started of as little rash but now they've formed a huge scar which at times itches. I've read somewhere where aloe Vera oil and apple cider vinegar helps. Question is do u apply both all at once and taking vitamin E capsules? Ur feedback is crucial at this point (viable options please ).

Replied by Maik
(Freiburg, Germany)
05/24/2018

Hello - I test the ACV at the moment. so u use it, wait until it creates a scrab and gets inflamend and then you let it heal out a bit and put Apple Cider Vinegar on it agian and agian until the keloid is flat enough? My question is ... it is normal that it grow a back a bit in the first few healing processes?


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Amanda (Usa) on 02/09/2014
★★★★☆

I have a keloid on my cartilage from an ear piercing. It is about the size a bean. I have been using ACV for about a month. Sometimes I forget to use it and I only do it at night. It scabs over and It even gave me a black spot on it. It scabs over and it goes away. It creates holes in the places that I have my cotton ball on the most but, I think it is working. It hasn't gone down much (I'm not too consistent) but it has flattened and changed shaped which makes me believe if I continue it will flatten even better. I'm white so my skin seems to have turned a bit redder but it's not too bad. I cover my ear everyday anyways and if it flattens more I don't care if there is a red spot. Hope this helps someone figure out what to do. Goodluck and post your story even if the reply is late because if you found this someone else will too!! Like me!!

Replied by Charmain
(Memphis, TN)
11/03/2014

I had a keloid on both ears about the size of a lima bean from ear piercings. I had them removed, but they grew back and continued to grow larger. Frustrated, I gave up and put on clip on earrings. The earrings stopped the growth and flattened the keloids out. It was a little painful but well worth it after two surgeries on one ear and oee on the other. I think it was the pressure. Probably the same principal of putting a bandage on twice after a shot so that it won't swell.



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