25/08/2021
Keloids are a type of raised scar. They occur where the skin has healed after an injury. They can grow to be much larger than the original injury that caused the scar. They are not at all common, but are more likely for people who have dark skin.
Anything that can cause a scar can cause a keloid. This includes being burned, cut, or having severe acne. Keloids can also develop after you get a body piercing, a tattoo, or have surgery. Keloids sometimes show up 3 months or more after your skin is injured. Some continue to grow for years.
The goal of treatment is to flatten, soften, or shrink the keloid. Keloids can be hard to get rid of. Sometimes they return after treatment. Many doctors will use a combination of treatments for the best results. Treatments include the following:
Corticosteroid shots. The medicine in these shots helps shrink the scar.
Freezing the scar. Called cryotherapy, this can be used to reduce the hardness and size of the keloid. It works best on small keloids.
Wearing silicone sheets or gel over the scar. This can help flatten the keloid.
Laser therapy. This can help flatten the keloid. It also can fade the color.
Surgical removal. This involves cutting out the keloid. Most keloids will return after this treatment.
