Keloid scars form due to the overgrowth of skin tissue after surgeries. Many patients view their keloid scars as unsightly and it sometimes causes psychological problems to the patients affected. Individuals who have a darker skin pigmentation are more likely to develop the skin tissue disorder. Therapy options such as surgery to remove the scar tissue and injections of corticosteroids are ineffective, require clinical supervision, and very costly.

How does it work?

A new invention from researchers at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore has provided an affordable way for patients to self-treat their keloid scars without clinical supervision. The patch is made from polymers which are fabricated into microneedles, this substance is already approved by the US food and drug admisistration scar-reducing drug, 5-fluorouracil.

How do I use it?

After patients apply the patch, the microneedles attach the patch to scar tissue and allow the needed amount of drug release(one patch per night). The physical contact of the microneedles with scar tissue contributes to the effectiveness of the device which reduces the keloids.

What is the patch called?

The patch is named Novel patch. More information about it can be found at Entrepreneur for Plastic Surgery’s webpage.