What Are Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids?
When your skin is injured—by a cut, burn, surgery, or acne—your body tries to heal by forming a scar. Sometimes, the healing process goes into overdrive, and too much scar tissue forms. This can lead to two types of raised scars:
- Hypertrophic scars: Thick, raised scars that stay within the boundary of the original injury, it can become itchy, uncomfortable and painful.
- Keloids: Raised scars that grow beyond the original wound and can become large, itchy, or uncomfortable.
What Causes These Scars to Form?
Some people are more likely to develop hypertrophic scars or keloids. Risk factors include:
- Genetics: They often run in families.
- Skin type: More common in people with darker skin.
- Location of injury: Areas like the chest, shoulders, upper back, and earlobes are more prone.
- Type of injury: Piercings, surgery, acne, burns, or even minor cuts can cause them.
- Age: More common in younger people under 30.
What’s the Difference Between a Hypertrophic Scar and a Keloid?
Treatment Options
There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Most treatments aim to flatten, soften, and reduce discomfort or appearance. Often, a combination of treatments works best.
- Simple At-Home Treatments
- Silicone gel or sheets: Worn daily to help flatten the scar.
- Massage: Gently rubbing the area can help soften the tissue.
- Moisturizing creams: May improve texture and comfort.
- Pressure Therapy
- Special garments or earrings apply gentle pressure.
- Often used after burns or ear piercings.
- Helps prevent the scar from growing too much.
- Steroid Injections
- Medication is injected directly into the scar to reduce swelling and thickness.
- Usually done every few weeks.
- May help reduce pain and itchiness.
- Surgery
- Scar is removed by a minor operation.
- Must be combined with other treatments (like steroids or pressure) to prevent it from coming back.
- Surgery alone may lead to recurrence, especially for keloids.
- Radiotherapy (Low-Dose Radiation)
- Often used after surgery for keloids.
- Helps stop the scar from growing back.
- Safe and effective when used in low doses and carefully targeted.
- There are long term side effects which needs to understood by the patient
What About Recurrence and Follow-Up?
Unfortunately, keloids often come back, even after treatment. This is why follow-up care is so important.
- Keloid recurrence: Can happen in up to 100% of cases even after surgery and steroid injections
- Best results: Seen when surgery is combined with steroid injections, silicone sheets, or radiotherapy if appropriate after detailed discussion with patients
- Hypertrophic scars: Less likely to come back and may improve on their own.
Key Takeaways
- Early treatment often gives better results.
- Keloids are more stubborn and may require a mix of treatments.
- Regular follow-up helps manage symptoms and prevent recurrence.
- Your doctor will work with you to discuss suitable options
When to Contact Mr. Shailesh Vadodaria
- If your scar is growing, painful, itchy, or causing cosmetic concern.
- If treatments aren’t helping after several weeks.
- If you’re considering surgery or have had surgery and want to prevent recurrence.
- Phone: 020 7078 4378
- WhatsApp: 07792 648 726
- Email: enquiries@macsclinic.co.uk
- Website: www.macsclinic.co.uk
- BOOK a FREE Video Consultation: https://calendly.com/macsclinic/free-video-consultation?month=2025-01
