A scar that keeps growing?
Understand your care options.

Keloids can feel firm, itchy or uncomfortable. A useful plan considers how the scar feels, how it looks and the chance of it returning.

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Illustrative photograph of a dermatologist assessing the ear area during a consultation.

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What is a keloid?

Raised scar tissue extends beyond the dashed boundary of the original injury.

A keloid is an overgrowth of scar tissue that extends beyond the original skin injury. It can appear after a piercing, acne, surgery, a burn or even a small skin injury, sometimes months later.

It is not contagious and does not turn into cancer. However, a new or changing skin growth should be examined rather than assumed to be a keloid.

Not every raised scar is a keloid.

A raised scar spreads outside the original wound outline.

Keloid

Grows beyond the original wound and tends to persist. It may enlarge or return after treatment, so long-term control matters.

A raised band stays inside the original wound outline.

Hypertrophic scar

Stays within the original injury. It is more likely to soften or flatten with time, although symptoms may still need treatment.

Explore other scar care

How can a keloid affect you?

A rounded raised scar involves an earlobe.

01
A firm, raised area
The surface may be smooth or lumpy, with a colour different from nearby skin. Keloids can occur on ears, chest, shoulders and other sites.
02
Itch, tenderness or tightness
Clothing or jewellery may rub the scar. A scar near a joint can sometimes make movement uncomfortable or restricted.
03
Confidence and daily life
How visible it is may matter as much as discomfort. Tell the clinician which change would make the biggest difference to you.

Why do some people develop keloids?

The chest and shoulder regions are highlighted as common keloid sites.

01
An individual healing tendency
The healing response produces too much scar tissue. A personal or family history can increase the chance of another keloid.
02
The injury and body area
Piercings, inflammatory acne, surgery and other injuries can trigger growth. Some sites, including the upper chest, shoulders and ears, are more prone.
03
Your skin and previous scars
Keloids are more common in darker skin tones, but anyone can develop one. Your past healing is useful information before a new procedure.

Treatment can target comfort, size and regrowth.

Medicine is delivered into raised scar tissue in a conceptual diagram.

Injections into the scar

Corticosteroids or other selected medicines may soften and flatten a keloid and ease itch. Repeat visits may be needed; skin thinning and pigment changes are possible.

Silicone on healed skin

A suitable gel or sheet may be part of scar control. Use it only when the skin has healed and as advised; it is not a dressing for an open wound.

A padded pressure device is fitted around an earlobe.

Fitted pressure devices

Selected ear scars or postoperative scars may benefit from prescribed pressure. Fit, comfort and skin checks matter; do not improvise tight clips or bandages.

A cooling symbol sits above raised scar tissue.

Freezing treatment

Cryotherapy can reduce some smaller keloids. Pain, blistering and lasting lighter patches are possible, particularly in darker skin.

A laser handpiece is directed towards raised scar tissue.

Selected laser treatment

A suitable laser may help colour or height, often alongside another treatment. A resurfacing package is not automatically suitable for keloid-prone skin.

A planned skin closure represents the new scar left by surgery.

Keloid treatment options

Removal may be considered for selected scars, but treatment and follow-up are central to managing recurrence risks.

Explore keloid treatment

OUR PROCEDURE

How we plan your care.

STEP 01

Confirm the scar type and your goal

Examine the area
The clinician checks its size, edges, firmness, symptoms and history. An unusual lesion may need further investigation rather than routine scar treatment.
Discuss what matters
Explain itch, pain, rubbing, movement or appearance concerns. Tell us how earlier treatments affected the scar and surrounding skin.

A scar is assessed with a measuring guide.

STEP 02

Compare benefits and trade-offs

Consider non-surgical options
The plan may start with symptom control or a combination of treatments. Ask what each part targets and when its effect will be reviewed.
Plan any procedure carefully
If surgery is considered, agree how regrowth will be addressed before proceeding. Ask who will provide each part of treatment.

Scar-directed medication represents one possible treatment.

STEP 03

Monitor symptoms and early regrowth

Check more than appearance
Track comfort, softness, height and movement. A scar may remain visible even when symptoms improve.
Act on renewed thickening
Contact the treating team if it becomes firmer, itchier or starts growing again. The plan may need adjustment.

A written treatment plan leads to a scheduled review.

Reduce irritation and protect healing skin.

Silicone is applied to a fully closed scar.

01
Avoid repeated friction and picking
Choose clothing that does not repeatedly rub the scar. Do not cut, tie off or burn a raised growth yourself.
02
Use products as advised
Apply scar products only to suitable healed skin and stop to seek advice if they cause a rash or breakdown. Protect exposed scars from the sun.
03
Plan future skin procedures
Tell clinicians about your keloid history before surgery, piercings, tattoos or cosmetic treatment. Avoiding an unnecessary skin injury may be the best prevention.

Aim for improvement, with follow-up.

Treatment may make a keloid softer, flatter or more comfortable. A complete cure or invisible scar cannot be promised, and a keloid can return even after a good initial response.

Several visits or more than one method may be appropriate. Your review should consider symptoms and skin changes, including unwanted lightening or darkening, before another treatment is repeated.

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IN OUR PATIENTS’ WORDS

Consultation experiences at Layers.

These original Google excerpts describe general consultations and care. They do not identify keloid treatment or its outcomes.

DOONDI NEERAJ19Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

★★★★★

“The doctors listened carefully to my concerns and explained the treatment in a clear and professional manner.”