Restore Your Most Comfortable Skin:
Keloid Care and Treatment
Overview
Living with keloids can be physically and emotionally challenging for those affected. Keloids are raised, often reddish or purplish scars that grow beyond the boundaries of an original injury or incision. They can cause discomfort, itching, and pain and may even continue to grow over time, leading to self-consciousness and a reduced quality of life.
Fortunately, treatment is available. From standard surgical excision to steroid injections and radiation therapy, a keloid removal specialist can recommend the best treatment plan for a person’s unique needs.
Summary
Types of Keloid Removal Treatments
Surgical excision refers to surgically removing the keloid. While effective, this method carries a risk of keloid regrowth if used alone, so it is often combined with other methods of treatment.
Steroid injections, typically using corticosteroids, are administered directly into the keloid to reduce inflammation, flatten the scar, and alleviate symptoms like itching and pain. These injections may be used alone or in combination with other treatments and are followed by a referral to a radiation oncologist.
To prevent keloid reoccurrence, we refer patients to a radiation oncologist. Radiation therapy helps prevent cells from regrowing, and without it, there is a chance that the keloid can reappear, even after surgical excision and steroid injections.
Candidate?
Do you have keloids or unwanted scars from past removal efforts? If your keloids cause itching, pain, or discomfort, or you have undesirable scars around your cheeks, shoulders, or chest, our keloid specialists can offer help. Our experienced specialists offer various advanced techniques to meet your needs, including steroid injections, surgical excision, and radiation oncologist referrals. You might be a good candidate for treatment if you're generally healthy and have keloids that affect your appearance or quality of life.
Consultation
The Plastic Surgery Center offers gender-affirming hair procedure consultations at all of our locations. During the consultation, your surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your medical history, hair, and ongoing transition goals. They will use this information to determine whether you’re a good candidate for a gender-affirming hair procedure.
Questions
about this procedure?
What to Expect
Depending on your recommended surgical procedure and desired outcome, our expert staff and physicians will provide detailed information about what you can expect before, during, and after keloid removal. Your health history, the complexity and number of keloid(s), and any previous scarring will also be considered to determine our best corrective recommendations.
On the day of the procedure, the area around the keloid is cleaned and marked. Local anesthesia is then administered to numb the site. The surgeon carefully excises the keloid, often removing a small margin of healthy skin to ensure complete removal.
Special techniques may also minimize tension on the wound edges, reducing the risk of recurrence.
The incision is then closed with fine sutures, and in many cases, additional treatments are applied immediately to prevent keloid regrowth. These may include steroid injections into the wound edges or the application of topical treatments. The procedure usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the size and number of keloids being treated.
After the surgery, the area is bandaged, and the patient is given post-operative care instructions. Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing, remove sutures if necessary, and potentially administer additional preventive treatments like further steroid injections.
Recovery &
Results
Each person's recovery from keloid removal treatment will vary based on the size, location, and number of keloids treated and the specific procedure used. Following the treatment, the area will be covered with a sterile dressing or bandage to protect the site. Typically, you can expect to go home the same day as the procedure.
Pain and swelling can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses in the first few days after treatment. Your doctor may prescribe additional pain relief if needed. The treated area should be kept clean and dry per your surgeon's instructions. Sometimes, you may need to apply topical medications or use pressure garments as part of your recovery process.
Most patients can resume regular activities within a week, but this can vary depending on the extent of the treatment and the location of the keloid. Strenuous activities and sun exposure should be avoided for several weeks to promote proper healing and minimize the risk of recurrence.
Our Gallery
Surgeons
The surgeons at the Plastic Surgery Center offer top-tier surgical expertise unparalleled in the field of surgical medicine. Our staff and physicians have helped thousands of patients, including those seeking keloid removal, and we pride ourselves on surgical outcomes that exceed expectations.
Andrew Elkwood
MD, FACSHamid Abdollahi
MD, FACSPeter Andrawes
MDEric I. Chang
MD, FACSKari L. Colen
MD, FACSStephen Dudick
MDRitwik Grover
MDSean Herman
MD, FACSZuhaib Ibrahim
MD, FACSMatthew Kaufman
MD, FACSChris Lakhiani
MD, FACSMatthew Lynch
MDAhmed Nasser
MDRobert T. Nevitt III
MDTushar Patel
MD, FACSSidney Rabinowitz
MD, FACSDavid Rayfield
MDMichael Rose
MD, FACSAdam Saad
MD, FACSMohit Sood
DOHakan Usal
MDJonathan Weiswasser
MD, FACSEric Wimmers
MD, FACSMark Yazid
MDJoseph Dayan
MDFinancing & Insurance
Insurance coverage for keloid removal procedures can vary depending on the individual policy and the patient's specific circumstances. Insurance companies are generally more likely to cover keloid removal if it's deemed medically necessary rather than purely cosmetic. Factors contributing to medical necessity include pain or discomfort, restricted movement, and recurrent infections.
We will work with you and your health insurer to obtain the approvals for your covered surgical procedures. If you want to learn more about our cosmetic options, please contact us today at 833-615-2621.
Our Process
During your consultation, our expert surgeons will listen and work with you to fully understand your situation.
Your Options
We will review and explain your surgical treatment options and identify which procedure is right for you.
Our friendly and compassionate staff and physicians will guide you through the entire process, answer your questions, and alleviate any concerns.
Keloid Removal Surgery Near Me
Financing & Insurance
Plastic surgery is an investment. Our dedicated staff is happy to help patientsnavigate insurance coverage and understand the costs and financing of care.
Step Into a New and Improved 'You'
Keloid removal surgery can address cosmetic concerns, eliminate pain and discomfort, and allow you to live confidently.