Not offered at this clinic
Dr Buckley does not provide superficial X-ray therapy at the Kerry Skin Clinic. If he considers it suitable for you, he can refer you to the Radiation Oncology department at Cork University Hospital, or to Dublin.
Superficial X-ray therapy (SXRT) is a targeted, non-invasive treatment that uses low-dose radiation to reduce the excessive collagen production that causes keloids and hypertrophic scars to form.
It is usually applied soon after a keloid has been surgically removed, or to an existing scar that is actively growing. It works by slowing abnormal collagen growth, reducing redness, itchiness and thickness, and improving the overall appearance of the scar.
Rarely used now
Easier and better treatments for these scars have become available in recent years, so SXRT is much less commonly used than it once was. For most patients, intralesional cryosurgery or a combination approach is the better route.
Common questions
Is it safe?
The radiation doses used are very low and targeted specifically at the scar area.
Is it painful?
No. Each treatment takes a few minutes. The machine does not touch you, and it is much like having an ordinary X-ray.
How many treatments are needed?
Most people need between three and five sessions, depending on the size and nature of the scar.
Will the scar disappear completely?
No. SXRT can reduce the size, thickness and discomfort of a scar and make it far less noticeable, but it does not remove it.