Keloids are scars that continue growing beyond the boundaries of the original injury. They may itch, hurt, feel tight, or become a cosmetic concern on the ears, jawline, chest, shoulders, back, or other sites.
Treatment is selected around the scar’s size, location, symptoms, skin tone, and recurrence risk. Injections, laser or other procedures, surgical excision, and—when appropriate for selected cases—postoperative radiation may be considered.
Keloids, Raised Scars and Other Scar Types
Scars are part of normal healing, but some become thick, raised, itchy, painful or extend beyond the original injury. A keloid is a raised scar that grows beyond the boundaries of the original wound and can recur after treatment.
Where can keloids develop?
Keloids can develop on many areas of the body, including the ears, face, jawline, neck, chest, shoulders, back, arms and legs. They may form after acne, folliculitis, piercings, surgery, injuries or other skin inflammation. Some areas—especially the chest, shoulders and earlobes—are particularly prone to keloid formation.
How are keloids treated?
Treatment may include corticosteroid injections, other intralesional medications, silicone-based therapy, pressure therapy, cryotherapy, laser treatment, surgical excision or a combination approach. For selected large, recurrent or difficult keloids, surgical excision may be followed by radiation therapy through a radiation oncology specialist to help reduce the risk of recurrence. No single treatment is best for every keloid.
Why does recurrence matter?
Keloids often recur, particularly after excision when surgery is used alone. Treatment planning therefore focuses both on flattening or removing the scar and on reducing the chance that it grows back. In appropriate cases, combination treatment may provide better control than a single treatment alone.
Does skin tone affect treatment?
Yes. Keloids are more common in people with darker skin tones, and some treatments can cause lighter or darker skin after treatment. For example, cryotherapy can leave permanent light spots in darker skin, so scar type, skin tone, location and prior response should guide the treatment plan.
What about acne scars and hypertrophic scars?
Atrophic acne scars, hypertrophic scars, pigment changes and surgical scars behave differently from keloids. Options may include microneedling, fractional resurfacing, subcision, injections, laser treatment or surgical revision depending on the scar type, location and skin tone.
Learn more about our acne-scar treatment options or Book Appointment.