When should patients with a history of keloids be treated with lasers?

Patients with a history of keloids should be treated with a thorough assessment and a tailored approach because keloids are a type of raised scar that occurs due to an abnormal healing response. This means that individuals with a history of keloids have a greater risk of developing new keloids or exacerbating existing ones after procedures such as laser treatment.

Before proceeding with laser therapy, it is crucial to assess the patient's specific situation, including factors such as the location of the keloid, previous treatments attempted, and the patient's overall skin type. Individualized treatment helps to minimize the risks associated with laser procedures, ensuring that the chosen approach is appropriate for the patient's unique characteristics and needs. Factors such as energy settings, type of laser used, and treatment intervals can all be adjusted based on this careful assessment.

This nuanced attention to detail contrasts with other options that suggest either a one-size-fits-all approach or an overly cautious stance, neither of which adequately addresses the complexities involved in treating patients with keloid histories.