Dear Dr. Naderi,

To follow up on your response to my question about Keloids and Hypertrophic scars, first, yes your response did make sense to me.  But what I really want to know is if there is a way I could get my ears pierced again without getting the keloids again?  I was told that there is a way to do it.  One way that I have heard is to use something other than metal to do the piercing because it is the metal making contact with the raw skin that triggers the keloids.  I have also heard that it's particularly nickel that causes them and that you have to use something other than nickel to do the piercing and to wear in your ear.  Is any of this true?

Thank you,
Sheila K.

Answer

Hi,

There really is no way of predicting or guaranteeing no keloids will form again.  It is a very unusual problem.  Some patients get a keloid on one ear and not the other.  It is true that things that cause more irritation and inflammation will have a higher chance of causing keloids and less traumatic surgical or piercing techniques and the use of more inert materials should make the likelihood of keloid formation less but its not predictable unfortunately.  Early steroid injections may be needed if keloid formation is seen.

Tags: Keloid scars, ear keloids, hypertrophic scars

Ask a Question | Add Comment | Permalink

I have had co-apt gel in my face for about two and half years and it is still itchy and red.  The blobs have not gone away.  Can something like this be removed from the face? What is the solution here?  The doctor who injected me has told me there is nothing he can do....Is this true?

Answer

Hi,

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I have not had any experience with the Coapt VF Gel.  It is a Radiesse like substance in a Gel carrier.  Radiesse can last 1-5 years but most often is gone in the first 18 months.  You may be noticing the substance itself or your body's reaction to the substance.  Injection of saline may help.  Steroid injection may be needed.  Worse case scenario the lumps may need to be excised.  Excision is not a great option as it can leave a scar.  See a few other doctors.  Perhaps have a small biopsy of the lumps performed and then see if steroid injections are needed based on the biopsy.   Not alot of great options other than allowing more time to pass by.

Tags: VF Gel, Coapt gel

Ask a Question | Add Comment | Permalink

Hi, I happen to have puffiness above my cheecks which I believe is referred to as malar bags. They seem to disappear when I smile. Is the puffiness caused by fat or water? Also, is there any way to treat this? I have looked up treatments online and it seems like there are no sure ways of resolving this and some surgens actually think it cannot be resolved <sigh>.

Have you ever successfully treated malar bags? If so, what techniques would you say are the best to employ and how long do the results last? I should also add that I am black and therefor suceptible to keloids. I am only 31 and this is making me look much older. My eye area is just fine, its only the malar bags.

Thanks in advance.

Sincerely,

Carol.

Answer

Hi Carol,

Tags: malar pouches, eyelid bags, Malar bags, tired eyes

Ask a Question | Add Comment | Permalink

Dr. Naderi:

     I have full lips and I feel that they are a bit too big for my face. Do you practice any lip reduction procedures?

Thanks,


Veronica

Answer

Dear Veronica,

I do perform lip reduction but only if the lips are significantly excessive in size.  Merely slight reduction in lip size does not warrant the surgical risks or scars of a lip reduction procedure.  I hope that makes sense.

Tags: lip surgery, lip reduction

Ask a Question | Add Comment | Permalink