Top 3 Common Questions About Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are raised overgrowths of scar tissue that occur at the site of a skin injury. Common places to develop keloid scars are your chest, back and jawline.

1. Doctor, please remove my keloid scar.

No doctors can promise to erase your keloid scars completely. Keloid scars that are located on your chest, back and jawline are generally not recommended for surgical removal as the risk of recurrence is very high. Steroid injection and laser treatment can only improve the appearance and symptoms of your keloids but there is also a risk of recurrence. Keloid scars located on the ears can be considered for surgical removal. To prevent recurrence of keloids after surgical removal, one must return regularly for steroid injections.

2. My keloid scars are still painful and growing after many years. What can I do about it?

Any keloid scars that are symptomatic, e.g. painful, itchy, inflamed indicates the growing potential of the keloids. Please see a dermatologist soon to discuss the right treatment options, e.g. topical steroid, steroid injection, and lasers.

3. I continue to get keloid scars on my chest and back.  What can I do about it?

Triggering factors for keloid scars on the chest and back are commonly acne, folliculitis (inflammation of hair follicles due to yeasts), or repetitive minor frictional trauma, e.g. from clothing, exercise, picking of spots. Speak to your dermatologist to determine the cause and treating the underlying cause would be helpful to prevent further deterioration of your skin.