On March 20th, the Fourth "Academic Forum on Improving the Cure Rate of Keloids," hosted by Bakaang Medical, was held as scheduled in Guangzhou. This was an academic event that brought together experts from various fields such as dermatology, plastic surgery, burn treatment, and radiation therapy. The attendees engaged in a full day of in-depth discussions and exchanges on the latest concepts and clinical practices in comprehensive scar prevention and treatment.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Explore New Pathways in Scar Treatment

The conference began with experts from across the country taking the stage to share their experiences and insights in the field of scars.

"The Application of Botulinum Toxin in Scar Treatment" became a hot topic at the beginning of the conference. Experts pointed out that botulinum toxin not only reduces wound tension by relaxing local muscles but also inhibits fibroblast proliferation and alleviates stubborn itching and pain. Early postoperative injection can significantly improve the appearance of scars, with higher doses yielding better results. Additionally, the combination of botulinum toxin with corticosteroids for the treatment of pathological scars is more effective than using steroids or fluorouracil alone, making it a promising combined approach.

In the sharing session on "Cosmetic Suturing Techniques," experts emphasized that cosmetic suturing is not just a specific suture method but a comprehensive system of principles and techniques that cover debridement, tension reduction, approximation, and postoperative management. From precise anesthesia administration to postoperative dressing changes, suture removal, and the use of anti-scar medications, every detail affects the final aesthetic outcome. Several experts also presented real cases demonstrating that, even in complex situations like animal bites and delayed wound closure, professional suturing can still achieve good recovery.

"Comprehensive Treatment of Pathological Scars" also sparked extensive discussion. Experts reminded that while keloids are common in clinical practice, diagnosis should be cautious of similar conditions like dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, and surgical specimens should routinely undergo pathological examination to avoid misdiagnosis. In terms of treatment, the combination of surgery, phototherapy, medication, and radiotherapy depends on the size, location, patient's constitution, and treatment preferences. Individualized, staged, and comprehensive approaches have become the consensus in the industry.

Director Zhang Liang: Bakaang's Strategies and Practices in Scar Prevention and Treatment

As the closing presentation, Director Zhang Liang of Bakaang Clinic in Guangzhou systematically introduced Bakaang's philosophy and experience in scar treatment under the title "Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of Pathological Scars."

Director Zhang pointed out that scar treatment should be staged, categorized, and personalized. For "hypertrophic scars," early intervention during the golden period involves a "four-pronged therapy" — pulsed dye laser for redness reduction, low-energy fractional laser for repair, drug injections, pressure therapy, and rehabilitation exercises to quickly suppress hypertrophy. In the mid-term, depending on the condition, superficial radiotherapy (SRT) and punch excision can be combined to control hypertrophy while protecting function and avoiding secondary surgery.

For "keloids," especially those with high recurrence rates and rapid growth, Bakaang uses a comprehensive approach of "superficial radiotherapy + redness-reducing laser + punch excision/drug injection + later laser repair." For special areas such as the ear, jaw, joints, and post-thyroidectomy, both aesthetics, function, and gland protection are considered. Director Zhang showcased long-term stable outcomes through several follow-up cases over several years, using a combination of surgical reshaping, superficial radiotherapy, laser, and pressure therapy.

In the treatment of "large, multi-site keloids," Director Zhang proposed a stepwise approach of "segmental and phased surgery + superficial radiotherapy + redness reduction + later aesthetic repair" to minimize recurrence risk while ensuring function and aesthetics.

Emphasizing Both Technology and Humanism: Superficial Radiotherapy and Follow-Up Management

Director Zhang introduced Bakaang's unique features in SRT-100 superficial radiotherapy: a professional team consisting of radiation oncologists, medical physicists, engineers, and radiation therapists; for sensitive areas like the thyroid and gonads, they collaborate with the Beijing CDC to design radiation protection rings, resulting in a much lower incidence of radiation dermatitis compared to international averages; and flexible, individualized plans based on patient conditions and time compliance, balancing efficacy and skin reactions.

Throughout, Bakaang emphasizes a long-term follow-up management system. Director Zhang stressed that the success of scar treatment not only depends on the treatment itself but also on long-term, systematic follow-up management. Through the "three-color annotation" follow-up method, signs of skin inflammation and new scar formation can be identified early, allowing for timely intervention. Currently, Bakaang has over 40,000 follow-up cases, providing a reliable basis for continuous improvement in treatment techniques with real-world data.

Consensus: Comprehensive Treatment and Full-Process Management Are the Future Directions

During the discussion, experts delved into practical clinical issues such as the application of botulinum toxin, handling of post-radiation skin reactions, treatment strategies for pediatric patients, and the cost of cosmetic sutures. They unanimously agreed that scar treatment should move from "single technology" to "multidisciplinary integration"; preventive measures should be taken before wound healing; and long-term follow-up management and rehabilitation guidance are the "invisible moat" to ensure efficacy and prevent recurrence.

From the first clinic in Beijing in 2006 to the current four branches in Beijing, Chengdu, Wuhan, and Guangzhou, Bakaang has always adhered to the philosophy that "scar prevention is better than treatment," aiming to provide integrated solutions from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. In the future, Bakaang will continue to promote academic exchanges in the industry, deepen multidisciplinary collaboration, and help more scar patients return to a better life with more professional diagnostic and treatment technologies and warmer humanistic care.