Keloids & Scars

What Are Keloids?

A keloid is a type of overgrown scar. It forms when the skin heals too aggressively, producing more collagen than necessary. As a result, instead of a flat or faint scar, the affected area becomes raised and often larger than the original wound.

While keloids can develop anywhere on the body, they most often appear on:

• The chest and shoulders

• Earlobes (especially after piercings)

• Upper back

• Jawline and cheeks

Keloids may be pink, red, purple, or darker than the surrounding skin. Over time, they may become itchy or even painful to the touch. In some cases, they can restrict movement, depending on their size and location.

How Are Keloids Different from Other Scars?

Scars come in many forms, and not all are problematic. Here’s how keloids stand apart:

• Hypertrophic Scars are also raised, but they stay within the boundaries of the original wound and may flatten over time.

• Atrophic Scars create sunken or depressed areas in the skin, common with acne or chickenpox.

• Contracture Scars result from burns and can tighten the skin, affecting movement.

Keloids, however, don’t shrink or fade naturally. Instead, they may continue to grow slowly over time—even months after the skin has healed.

Why Do Keloids Happen?

Whenever skin is damaged—by surgery, acne, insect bites, burns, or even vaccinations—the body begins to repair the wound with new tissue. Scar tissue is part of that normal process. But in some people, the healing response doesn’t stop when it should. The scar keeps growing beyond its original boundaries, becoming dense and raised.

Factors that may increase your likelihood of developing keloids include:

• Genetics: Keloids often run in families.

• Skin tone: People with darker skin tones are more prone to developing keloids.

• Age: Keloids are more likely to develop between ages 10 and 30.

• Injury location: Areas with higher skin tension, like the chest and back, are more susceptible.

Understanding your individual risk factors is an important part of creating a treatment and prevention plan. Dr. Gurgen works with patients to assess not just the visible scarring, but the underlying reasons why it developed in the first place.

Diagnosing Keloids and Scar Issues

Diagnosis of keloids is usually straightforward. During your consultation, Dr. Gurgen will review your medical and skin history, examine the scar tissue, and determine whether the growth is a keloid or another type of scar.

In rare cases, a skin biopsy may be recommended to rule out other conditions that may mimic keloids, especially if the lesion is changing rapidly or has an unusual appearance.

This thorough evaluation is essential for choosing the right treatment strategy—one that balances your skin’s healing ability with long-term cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Treatment Options for Keloids and Scarring

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating keloids. The right treatment depends on the size, age, location, and severity of the scar. Dr. Gurgen offers a range of safe, proven treatment options designed to flatten, shrink, or remove keloids—while also improving the appearance of other types of scars.

Treatment options may include:

• Corticosteroid Injections: These are often the first step. Steroids help reduce inflammation and can shrink keloids over time.

• Silicone Gel Sheets: These are placed over the scar to help flatten and fade its appearance.

• Cryotherapy: Freezing small keloids with liquid nitrogen can reduce their size and discomfort.

• Laser Therapy: Lasers help improve skin texture and reduce discoloration, especially for scars and early-stage keloids.

• Surgical Removal: In some cases, a keloid can be surgically removed. However, this must be done with extreme care, as new keloids can form in the same place if not managed correctly.

• Pressure Therapy: Particularly helpful for keloids on the ears after piercings, this method uses pressure earrings or wraps to discourage regrowth.

Dr. Gurgen often combines treatments for better results. For example, surgical removal may be followed by steroid injections or pressure therapy to minimize the chance of recurrence.

Preventing Future Keloids

If you’re prone to keloids, prevention is just as important as treatment. Dr. Gurgen provides education and tools to help protect your skin and reduce the chance of developing new scars in the future.

Helpful prevention tips include:

• Avoid unnecessary piercings or tattoos, especially on high-risk areas.

• Keep wounds clean and covered to reduce inflammation.

• Use silicone gel or sheets after surgery or injury.

• Discuss with your dermatologist before any elective procedures if you have a history of keloids.

When you’re informed and proactive, you can often prevent small injuries from turning into long-term skin concerns.

Personalized Care from a Specialist Who Listens

At our dermatology practice, we believe your skin’s story is unique—and so is the way we treat it. Dr. Gurgen doesn’t just address the visible signs of keloids and scars. He takes time to understand the emotional and physical toll they may have caused, and he tailors every step of care to your needs.

Whether your goal is to reduce discomfort, improve appearance, or simply regain confidence, you’ll find the support and expertise you need here. Our treatments are grounded in science but delivered with compassion, ensuring you feel heard, informed, and hopeful from start to finish.

Book Your Free Consultation Today

Keloids and scars may be part of your skin’s history, but they don’t have to define your future. With the right care, relief and confidence are well within reach.

If you’re tired of living with discomfort or self-consciousness from raised, painful, or discolored scars, Dr. Gurgen is here to help. Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward smoother, healthier-looking skin. It’s time to heal—beautifully.