Medical dermatology
Keloids
Keloids are firm, raised scars that grow beyond the boundary of the original injury. They can be itchy, tender, and progressive, but they respond well to a layered treatment approach.
What it is.
Keloids form when the skin's healing response overshoots, producing too much collagen at a wound site. Unlike ordinary raised scars, they rarely shrink on their own.
Who it affects.
Keloids are most common in people with darker skin tones, between ages 10 and 30, and at sites of higher skin tension: earlobes, chest, shoulders, upper back.
How we treat it.
First-line treatment is intralesional corticosteroid injection, often combined with cryotherapy or 5-fluorouracil. Larger or treatment-resistant keloids may benefit from surgical excision paired with post-operative steroid injections or radiation referral to prevent recurrence.
Related conditions.
Next step
Ready to schedule your visit?
Send a quick message and our team will reach out to schedule. Most patients can be seen within the same week.