The Hei Ba Gao or Black Keloid Paste is a classical formula revived by Hainan TCM Hospital in the 80's. It was first recorded in the Pi Fu Wai Ke as adapted from an old treatise. This unique formula, known as 'Black Keloid Paste' or 'Black Cloth Paste'  has shown positive shrinkage of the entire keloid over a sustained period of application.

The paste is hand brewed according to an old recipe. Do allow for some production time before we dispatch the paste to you.

The earlier it is used during the formation of the keloid, the better will be the result. The new Hei Ba Gao has been reformulated over 19 procedures to enhance its effectiveness on remodelling the keloid. Today, the Hei Ba Gao can only be properly prepared using old school methods, hence it is produced only in small batches. One of the key ingredient is Galla chinensis. See picture.


The gall on the leaf of Rhus chinensis Mill. (Chinese sumac), Rhus potaninii Maxim. (potanin sumac) or Rhus punjabensis var. sinica (Diels) Rehd. et Wils. (red-punjab sumac), a deciduous dungarunga of the family Anacardiaceae, which is mainly formed by the parasitism of an insect called the "gall aphid".

The decidious tree grows to about 6 m tall. It is in flower in August. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by bees. The plant cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

The Black Keloid Paste is indicated for the vegetation of the connective tissue of the skin. Most lesions occur on scars wrought by external wounds, burns, infections, and surgery. The scar is raised above the skin. It is pink or dark red, smooth and shiny. The scar will generate itch and sharp pains as it hardens and presses against the nerves.

[ Why herbal alternatives? ]

Food grade ingredients
No artificial preservatives
Does not traumatise the skin
Cost effective
Non invasive
No side effects; multiple keloids often form years after steriod injections or surgery

 

[ Actions ]

To clear heat, dry the dampness, promote blood circulation, dispel wind, stop itching and inflammation. Its mechanical action is to remodel the collagen matrix that composed the keloid, resulting in a more compact tissue mass. Picture on the left shows the flattening effect of the black paste on a keloid. The flattened part as contrasted with the raised portion. A portion is flattened in a diagonal line.

1. Arrest of itch, pain and growth

Indicated for the inflammation and activity of the collagen fibres, which result in excessive tissue growth. Hardening of the keloid mass will cause it to press against nerve sections of the skin to cause pain. One key treatment criteria is to ensure that the keloid is softened. Once the keloid is softened, proliferation of scar tissues is inhibited. An untreated keloid becomes dense and hard over time, resulting in pain even for small movements.

2. Mass reduction

Indicated for the shrinkage of the collagen mass. There may be some initial fluctuations in the size of the keloid, but over a few months, result will stabilize. Some will need to sustain treatment over a longer period of time to see optimum shrinkage. Flattening often occurs at the center of the keloid. It can be as flat as the normal skin while the 2 ends of the keloid will take a longer time.

The same keloid mass shrunken considerably after 12 months of treatment comprising the Hei Ba Gao and Ba Hen Ling (with/without snake oil). It can be seen that a scar is still visible but it is not longer keloidol and is much acceptable in appearance and sensation. Reasonable expectation is necessary. Some customers with thinner and smaller keloids see result in a shorter period of time. Keloids that have reformed from steroid injections and surgery will require a longer period of therapy. Keloids with larger mass will also require a longer period of treatment. Continued treatment will allow us to see a flattening of the keloid at the center and a consequent breaking up of the keloid into 2 smaller keloids. It is more manageable this way as the keloid mass does not stretch along the skin, restricting movement.

Test result on 30 patients who used the new formula Hei Ba Gao: 99% positive response rate*

Please note that there has been a number of imitations since the product was introduced online in 2002.


[ Administration ]

[ 1 ] For external use only, spread thinly on the keloid, once every 2 days, for a minimum of 8 hours to a maximum of 24 hours. Cover the entire keloid with the black paste. Some older physicians will recognize the product as the 'Black Cloth Paste' as it looks like a piece of black cloth placed over the keloid. [ 2 ] Apply on clean and dry skin on the keloid (try to avoid the surrounding skin). [ 3 ] To prevent staining, a piece of cotton gauze can be applied after the paste is slightly dry. [ 4 ] Ideally, the paste can be applied in the evening and left on overnight. [ 5 ] Please abstain from eating seafood, except fish, as marine proteins can accelerate collagen production, hence increasing keloid size. Other food substances to avoid include: alcohol, excessive meat and garlic. Do not apply more than 4 times a week.

The Black Keloid Paste is removed under running water (during shower) to soften the dried paste. It is then peeled off. Like a mask, the Black Keloid Paste will gradually dry and become hardened,  generating sensations of the skin being pulled. Should it be inconvenient to wait until the paste dries thoroughly, cotton pads or gauze can be placed on the keloid so that it will not stain the clothes.

If the skin is dry, reduce usage to once every 3 days. During application, try to avoid the surrounding skin, where the skin is more delicate.

Please note the 2 stages of using the paste:

Action: When the paste is applied, the keloid will appear red

Effect: When the paste is removed, the keoid will feel softer and flatter a few hours later

As remodelling treatment breaks down the collagen matrix of the keloid, you will notice: 1. wrinkling of the keloid and 2. the keloid breaking into smaller sections with some sections flattening faster than the others. Customers will notice the paste working about 1-2 days after an application, and not during the application.

Although there is no rapid treatment for keloids, we can reduce an unsightly keloid into normal scar - one that does not itch, is neither raised nor growing. In most cases, the redness is largely reduced and the scar blends better with the surrounding skin in color and flatness. Keloid remodelling is permanent as the scar tissues are reorganized. There is no suppression using steroids or other harmful chemicals.