How the Candela V Beam reduces keloids

The Candela V Beam was recently featured on the View earlier in April. The V-beam emits a wavelength of 595 nanometers(nm)that is attracted to blood and pigmentation.It is used for many vascular skin conditions like broken capillaries, haemangomas, rosacea,port wine stains and leg veins.It's also used to treat superficial skin pigmentation issues like sunspots, freckles and cafe-au-lait macules.What I want to focus on here is what the V beam does for keloid scars.

First lets start with the definition of a keloid scar. Wikipedia's definition of a keloid is: A keloid (also known as a "keloidal scar"[1]:1499) is a type of scar, which depending on its maturity, is composed of mainly either type III (early) or type I (late) collagen. It is a result of an overgrowth of granulation tissue (collagen type 3) at the site of a healed skin injury which is then slowly replaced by collagen type 1. Keloids are firm, rubbery lesions or shiny, fibrous nodules, and can vary from pink to flesh-colored or red to dark brown in color. A keloid scar is benign, non-contagious, and sometimes accompanied by severe itchiness and pain[2], and changes in texture. In severe cases, it can affect movement of skin.

Keloids should not be confused with hypertrophic scars, which are raised scars that do not grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound.Experts are not exactly sure how the 595 wavelength of the V beam works to reduce redness or improve the pliability of hypertrophic scars and keloids,but it is believed that the wavelength of 595 nanometers affects the underlying micro vascular structure of the scar to cause a disruption of the collagen activity of the scar.People that fall in between a skin type 4 through 6 on the Fitzpatrick Scale.The Fitzpatrick Scale was developed in 1975 by Thomas Fitzpatrick MD, PhD of Harvard Medical School. The scale is used to classify skin types and is considered the standard in the skin care industry. See Example below:

TYPE 1: Always burns, never tans. Example: Red hair with freckles

TYPE 2: Burns easily, tans minimally. Example: Fair skinned, fair haired Caucasians

TYPE 3:Sometimes burns, slowly tans to light brown. Example: Darker Caucasians.

TYPE 4: Burns minimally, always tans to moderate brown. Example: Mediterranean type Caucasians.

TYPE 5: Rarely burns, tans well. Example: Some Hispanics, Some of African descent.

TYPE 6: Never burns, deeply pigmented. Example: Darker African descendants.

If you fall in between a Skin Type 4 and 6, have a family history of keloids,you may get keloids from an injury or trauma to the skin. This includes piercings,also check with a dermatologist if you are considering getting a tattoo. This could set things in motion towards you forming a keliod.If you have keloids I would have a consultation with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon that uses the V bean, all you got to lose is your keloid, right! Well I hope this has been informative and useful to you! Until next time love the skin you're in!

PS: I have a keloid on my shoulder and plan to look into the V bean for myself.. so, I will let you know what happens '-)


Skin Chick