Keloid Scars

The problem is further complicated by the fact that a keloid scar tends to grow, while home care or standard cosmetic methods usually do not produce results and are ineffective in treating keloids. Modern medicine offers ways to work with such scars, improve their condition, and make them less noticeable. Dermatovenereologists of the Leoderm Medical Center explain what keloid scars are, why they do not develop in everyone, and how they can be treated safely and almost painlessly.

What Are Keloid Scars?

Keloid scars are dense, raised formations on the skin that protrude above its surface and have clearly defined borders. They may appear smooth or shiny, are often firm to the touch, and are sometimes accompanied by a feeling of tightness, itching, or occasional sensitivity. Unlike ordinary scars, keloids do not diminish over time — on the contrary, they may slowly enlarge, extending beyond the boundaries of the original injury. Because of this, they are noticeable on exposed areas of the body and can cause not only aesthetic concerns but also physical discomfort.

Modern aesthetic medicine considers keloid scars to be a condition that can be corrected without the need for traumatic intervention. There are effective methods that help soften the texture, reduce the density and prominence of the scar, and improve the quality of the skin in the affected area. A properly selected treatment approach can significantly improve the appearance of the area where the keloid scar is located and restore a sense of comfort.

Causes of Keloid Scars

The development of keloid scars is based on the excessive activity of fibroblasts — the cells responsible for collagen synthesis during skin healing. Normally, when tissue recovers after an injury, the body gradually “switches off” the process of collagen production, and the scar becomes soft and inconspicuous. In the case of keloid healing, this mechanism is disrupted: collagen continues to accumulate, forming a dense layer that protrudes above the surface of the skin. That is why keloids grow slowly, may increase in size over time, and extend beyond the boundaries of the original injury.

Keloid scars may appear:

• after cuts, injuries, wounds, or burns;
• as a result of surgical procedures (including after a cesarean section or breast surgery);
• on the face after mole removal, acne, or acne breakouts;
• after piercings, tattoos, or injections.

Keloid scars in both children and adults develop due to individual characteristics of the skin and do not depend on how “neat” or minor the initial injury was.

How to Treat Keloid Scars?

The approach to keloid therapy must be gradual and comprehensive, since such scars tend to grow and may respond to trauma with renewed enlargement. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the activity of scar tissue, soften its density, and decrease its volume, and only after that to work on improving the skin’s texture and surface.

Corticosteroid Injections for the Treatment of Keloids

The most common method for getting rid of a keloid scar is intralesional corticosteroid injections (Kenalog, Diprospan). The medications used to treat keloid scars suppress fibroblast activity and slow down excessive collagen synthesis. As a result, the scar becomes softer, less raised, and gradually decreases in size.
The advantage of this method is the ability to control the effect and adjust the dosage depending on the tissue response. Corticosteroids are used to treat keloid scars on both the face and the body.

Enzyme Injections for the Treatment of Keloid Scars

Enzyme preparations (collagenase) may also be used as an additional treatment for keloids. They affect the structure of already formed collagen, “softening” excessively dense fibers. This treatment method is especially effective for keloid scars that have a firm, hard consistency and respond poorly to other types of therapy.

Laser Techniques (Candela)

For the treatment of keloids—specifically to improve the color of the scar and reduce its vascularization—the Candela vascular laser (such as Vbeam) is used. It targets the blood vessels that supply the scar, helping the keloid gradually reduce its activity and become less noticeable.
This is a gentle and controlled method of keloid scar treatment that helps lower the risk of scar regrowth (recurrence).

Laser Resurfacing After Scar Stabilization

Once the scar becomes inactive (no longer growing and without pronounced density), keloid treatment can be supplemented with laser resurfacing to smooth the skin surface. At this stage, the focus is not on reducing scar tissue, but on achieving an aesthetic result: evening out the surface, smoothing transitions, and improving skin texture.

Important: Treatment of keloids is always individualized. A dermatovenereologist can determine how to treat a keloid scar only after proper diagnosis. In many cases, the best results are achieved through a combination of several methods, selected depending on the stage and structure of the scar, its location, and tissue reactivity. If you are facing this problem, schedule a consultation at the LeoDerm Medical Center, and our specialists will explain how to treat keloid scars in your specific case.