Cosmetic Surgery

Keloid Scars & Hypertrophic Scar

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Earlobe cyst, Ear Lobe Keloid, Keloid disorder, Keloidal Scar

Keloids are a scar complic­a­tion of any kind of injury, whether acci­dental, tattoos, or surgical, in a person who has Keloid Disorders.

The normal evol­u­tion of a scar gener­ally goes through a red and lumpy stage, followed by a gradual fading of any increased pigment­a­tion and a gradual flat­tening of the scar. After the scar matur­a­tion is complete, the scar blends into the adjoining skin.

However, a person with a Keloid Disorder will develop a lumpy scar that can be red, pigmented, painful, and itchy in the area of injury, and this scar will continue to grow much beyond the margins of the injury or scar.

A hyper­trophic scar is a variant of scar healing in which the scar behaves like a keloid, but the extent of the scar is limited to the original injury or scar.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent Keloids?

For a person who has a keloidal tend­ency, one has to be very careful to avoid any skin injuries. If you are having a surgical procedure, it is important to mention to the surgeon your tend­ency to make keloid as you will need treat­ments after your oper­a­tion to prevent the surgical scar from becoming a keloid.

Your surgeon might prescribe you silicone gels or silicone sheets, or other pres­sure devices to reduce the chance of keloid formation.

Do Keloids go away on their own?

Keloid scars will not go away on their own. They will, however, go through phases of activity and inactivity.

What is the difference between a Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar?

A keloidal scar will extend beyond its original scar into other­wise normal skin, while a hyper­trophic scar does not extend into normal skin.

What is the treatment for Keloids?

There are many different levels of Keloid treatments.

  • Intralesional Steroid Injections this is a synthetic gluc­o­cor­ticoid injec­tion injected into the keloid body; it causes a slowing down of the growth, reduc­tion of itching and pain, and a gradual flat­tening of the keloid. The injec­tion has to be given once a month and repeated till satis­factory flat­tening has occurred.
  • Intralesional 5FU is an anti-cancer drug that is often combined with steroid injec­tions if the steroid injec­tions are not working on their own.
  • Intralesional Excision and subsequent steroid injec­tions, in this treat­ment, the bulk of the keloid is surgic­ally removed from within its margins, and the wound stitched up. Once the stitches are well healed, intrale­sional steroid injec­tions are used to prevent the keloid from recurring.
  • Intralesional Excision and Radiotherapy, this modality is rarely used for extremely resistant and both­er­some keloids. After the scar of surgical removal of the keloid has healed, radio­therapy is admin­istered to block the keloidal tendency.
  • Intralesional Excision and Skin Graft this modality consists of removing the bulk of the keloid and covering the raw area with a skin graft. Similar to above, once the healing is complete; the patient has to have intrale­sional steroid injections.

Do Keloid scar creams work?

The commonest used keloid scar creams gener­ally incor­porate silicone gels and have a marginal effect. The use of silicone gels or other scar manage­ment creams does not have the same efficacy as intrale­sional steroid injections.

Approximate Costs

An accurate estimate of the costs is only possible after an in-clinic consulta­tion with Dr Prashant. We charge a £50 deposit to secure your consulta­tion with Dr Prashant, this amount will be deducted from the costs of the treat­ment you go on to have at our clinic.

Keloids managed by Kenacort injec­tions are charged at £300 per injec­tion. Most patients need 2 – 3 injec­tions, done a month or two apart. Earlobe keloids can be removed by excision and suture followed by steroid injec­tion, costing from £699 onwards.