Keloids (from a Greek word meaning “crab’s claw”) are overgrowths of scar tissue that occur after an injury to the skin.

What type of injury can cause keloids?

Any type of injury to the skin has the potential of causing keloid formation. This includes: surgical incisions, burns, traumas, piercings, tattoos, and even acne.

Is every scar overgrowth a keloid?

No. Hypertrophic scars are also a form of scar overgrowths. What distinguishes the two is a keloid extends beyond the original area of skin injury, whereas hypertrophic scars remain confined within the boundaries of the area of injury.

What is the time frame of scar growth?

Hypertrophic scars usually develop 2 to 6 month after the initial skin injury and tend to regress 18 to 24 months later. They may also be associated with pain, itching, and functional limitation. Keloids can occur months to years after skin injury with no tendency to regress on their own.

Can keloids shrink or resolve spontaneously?

Typically keloids remain the same size or continue to grow, in contrast with hypertrophic scars that tend to regress spontaneously over time and are asymptomatic.

There tends to be genetic susceptibility for certain individuals to develop keloids. Genetic susceptibility in combination with injury to the skin will lead to keloid formation.

Can keloids be symptomatic?

Yes, keloids can be painful, itchy, or sensitive to touch.

What are the most common treatments for keloids?

The most common and first-line treatment for keloids is serial injections with intralesional kenalog directly into the keloid scar.

Are steroid injections painful?

Keloid masses are often tender or sensitive to touch and injections can be painful in general. We can mix the kenalog with anesthetics to help provide pain relief to locations that require multiple injections.

What are the risks with steroid injection?

The associated risks with intralesional steroid injection are thinning of the skin, discoloration, increased vascularities, or atrophy of the skin in the injected area. Our dermatologists are trained to use the proper dosage and amount of steroid per injection to decrease risks.

Pressure therapy for keloids?

Pressure therapy is usually performed with pressure garments, bandages, and devices to create direct pressure over keloids. For certain locations and keloid types, your dermatologist may recommend use of pressure therapy in combination to your primary keloid treatment.

Keloid Treatment Irvine & Orange County, CA

Q: How can I prevent keloid?

Best prevention is to avoid trauma to the skin. If you have personal or family history of keloids, it is important to let your doctors know prior to any surgeries or invasive procedures. If you feel like a keloid scar may be forming, it is important to treat promptly to prevent further growth.

Why Choose Dr. Shafa for Your Keloid Treatment?

Unmatched Expertise: With over 30 years of hands-on experience treating keloids, Dr. Shafa has successfully treated thousands of keloids in her practice. Her extensive knowledge allows her to recommend the best possible treatment tailored to your unique needs.
Personalized Treatment Plans: Dr. Shafa meticulously customizes the amount and concentration of steroid injections based on the size, firmness, type, and location of your keloid. This personalized approach ensures that each treatment is optimized for the best results.
Premium Medication: Dr. Shafa exclusively uses brand-name steroids like Kenalog, avoiding generic alternatives like Triamcinolone. She believes that brand-name medications offer more precise and predictable outcomes, enhancing the effectiveness of your treatment.
Surgical Excellence: Having performed thousands of skin surgeries, including keloid removals, Dr. Shafa is highly skilled in this area. She is particularly talented in using skin flaps to cover the wound after keloid removal, preventing deformities in delicate areas like the ears.
Consistent Care: Dr. Shafa is the sole practicing physician at her Irvine location, OC MedDerm, ensuring she is always available for your needs and follow-up care. You can trust that your treatment will be in the hands of an experienced and dedicated professional every step of the way.
Comprehensive Combination Therapy: When indicated, Dr. Shafa offers the best combination therapy, incorporating various advanced techniques to maximize the success of your keloid treatment.

Choosing Dr. Shafa means choosing a seasoned expert who is committed to providing top-quality, personalized care to achieve the best possible outcomes for your keloid treatment.

What is a Keloid?

A keloid, often referred to as a “crab’s claw,” is an overgrown scar that can be painful, itchy, sensitive to touch, and aesthetically displeasing.

How Does a Keloid Form?

When the skin is injured, the body initiates a healing process by producing new cells and collagen to close the wound. Normally, this process stops once the wound is healed. However, in the case of a keloid, collagen production continues uncontrollably, leading to a thick, raised lump that extends beyond the original injury site.

Who is at Risk of Developing a Keloid?

Keloid formation is often a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors. Essentially, genetics “load the gun,” and trauma “pulls the trigger.” If you have the gene, any skin injury could trigger keloid formation.

What Types of Injuries Can Cause Keloids?

Keloids can develop from a variety of skin injuries, including pimples, piercings, burns, trauma, surgical incisions, tattoos, and even acne.

Which Areas of the Body Are Prone to Keloid Formation?

Keloids are most commonly found on the ears, jawline, shoulders, and mid-chest.

Is My Raised Scar a Keloid?

Not necessarily. Raised scars can result from normal wound healing, known as hypertrophic scars. These scars typically shrink and flatten over time, a process called scar maturation. In contrast, keloids continue to grow beyond the original injury site and do not shrink on their own.

Time Frame: Keloid vs. Hypertrophic Scar

Hypertrophic scars usually develop within 6 to 12 weeks after an injury and tend to shrink over the following 6 to 12 months. Keloid formation, on the other hand, can begin at any time, even years after the initial injury, and they do not naturally regress.

Can Keloids Shrink or Resolve on Their Own?

Typically, keloids continue to enlarge and may eventually stop growing, but they do not shrink or resolve on their own without treatment.

How Can I Prevent Keloid Formation?

If you have a personal or family history of keloids, you are at a higher risk of developing one after any skin injury. To reduce your risk:

Avoid Elective Trauma: Consider avoiding piercings, tattoos, or any non-essential skin procedures.
Treat Acne Promptly: Address acne early to prevent potential keloid formation from inflamed lesions.
Inform Your Surgeon: If you’re planning skin surgery, make sure to inform your surgeon about your keloid history.
Seek Early Medical Attention: If you notice a scar that is growing instead of shrinking, seek medical attention immediately to prevent further growth.

Can Other More Serious Skin Conditions Look Like Keloids?

Yes, some skin bumps and lumps can be mistaken for keloids. At OC MedDerm, Dr. Shafa will provide a precise diagnosis of your skin lump and recommend the most effective treatment options. If the diagnosis of a keloid is uncertain, a small skin biopsy may be performed to confirm it before starting a treatment plan.

What Are the Goals of Keloid Treatment?

The primary goals of keloid treatment are to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms such as pain, itching, and burning while improving the aesthetic appearance by flattening the keloid.

Which Types of Keloids Are More Difficult to Treat?

Keloids are more challenging to treat when they are multiple, larger, firmer, and have not responded to previous treatments.

Can I Have a Single Treatment for My Keloid?

No, effective keloid treatment typically requires a series of sessions, spaced one to three months apart, depending on the size and location of the keloid.

What Is the Best Treatment for Keloids?

The first line and most commonly recommended treatment for keloids is a series of steroid injections directly into the keloid. This helps to halt growth and manage related symptoms.

Are Keloid Injections Painful?

Keloids are often sensitive to touch, both physically and psychologically. To minimize discomfort, steroids are mixed with numbing medication to ensure the keloid is numb during injection.

Why Is Serial Treatment Needed?

Intralesional injections carry risks such as skin thinning, increased vascularity, calcification, and indentation at the injection site. Keloid response to steroid injections can vary, so a series of treatments allows for adjustments in dosage and concentration based on your response.

Why Not Just Cut Off the Keloid?

Since keloids are triggered by skin trauma, further surgery at the keloid site is generally avoided unless the keloid has a narrow stalk, like a mushroom shape. This type of keloid, commonly found in the ears, can be surgically removed with subsequent injections to prevent recurrence.

What Is Cryotherapy for Keloid Treatment?

Cryotherapy involves freezing the keloid with liquid nitrogen, and cooling it to -320 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s best used as an adjunctive therapy alongside injections and surgery to enhance results, particularly for flat keloids on the chest or jawline.

What About Laser Therapy for Keloid Treatment?

Some keloids are resistant to standard treatments and may require combination therapy. Laser therapy can be used in conjunction with injections and surgery to help control keloid regrowth. At OC MedDerm, Dr. Shafa will discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option and customize a plan that fits your keloid’s type, size, and location.

What Are Pressure Treatment and Silicone Gel for Keloids?

Pressure therapy and silicone gel can be used as adjunctive treatments to control keloid regrowth. However, these options may not be practical or comfortable for all keloid locations.

Contact Us

We’re here to help with any questions you may have or to assist in scheduling an appointment. At OC MedDerm, we are contracted with nearly all PPO health insurance plans to meet your medical needs. We also offer complimentary consultations for cosmetic procedures, including keloid treatments.
Whether you’re seeking expert advice or ready to start your treatment journey, we’re just a phone call away. Don’t hesitate to reach out—ask questions, get informed, and take the first step toward achieving your skin goals. Call us today!

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