SKIN: The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine(TM), Effects of Imiquimod 5% Cream in the Prevention of Excised Keloid Recurrence

NEW YORK, NY, UNITED STATES, January 3, 2018 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Keloid scars often result in poor cosmetic outcomes and reduced quality of life. Treatment of keloids is challenging, with a recurrence rate of as high as 71%, often leading to multiple attempts at excision and increased patient frustration.

A new article published today in SKIN: The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine(TM) examines the use of a topical agent, imiquimod 5% cream, as a method of reducing the recurrence rate following surgical keloid excision.

Jennifer Frias, MD, and coauthors treated 41 keloids with excision following by nightly application of imiquimod 5% cream for 2 months. Patients were followed closely for the first six months and then twice annually for five years. Although all patients experienced minor burning with application of the medication, only 3 discontinued the study early due to these side effects. Of all the patients, only 3 had any evidence of recurrence at 6 months, all on the ear.

The results hold promise, according to Frias, who stated that “the use of postoperative imiquimod following keloid removal is a more effective intervention compared to standard excision.”

SKIN: The Journal of Cutaneous Medicine(TM) is a peer-reviewed online medical journal that is the official journal of The National Society for Cutaneous Medicine. The mission of SKIN is to provide an enhanced and accelerated route to disseminate new dermatologic knowledge for all aspects of cutaneous disease.

For more details please visit www.jofskin.org or contact jofskin@gmail.com.

(DOI: 10.25251/skin.2.1.4)

Editors’ Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, financial disclosures, funding and support, etc.

Brian Berman, MD, PhD
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
305-933-6716
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