Keloid Scar Treatment: Distinguishing Features and Treatment Methods | [Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon]

If a scar, instead of subsiding over time, swells larger than the initial wound area, you might suspect a keloid. Many people's first question is, "Is this just a scar, or is it a keloid?" To answer directly, these two differ in their causes and treatment approaches, so distinguishing them first is crucial.

Hello. This is Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon. We will systematically explain what keloid scars are, how they differ from hypertrophic scars (which are often confused due to similar appearance), and how treatment is approached.

Keloid scars are scars that occur when scar tissue proliferates beyond the original wound area. The biggest cause is considered to be constitutional factors. Therefore, unlike other scars, they are often discovered late in the wound healing process.

If left untreated, keloids can cause itching or pain in the scar area, leading to daily discomfort, and may even increase in size over time. Another common misunderstanding is that even if a scar appears to subside, it does not necessarily mean complete recovery.

Since the cause of keloids is often constitutional, recurrence is reported even after treatment. Therefore, keloid scars are classified as scars requiring continuous management by a dermatologist.

Many people confuse keloids with hypertrophic scars due to their similar appearance. Hypertrophic scars, also known as hypertrophic cicatrices, are scars that protrude as the skin becomes rough and thick. However, unlike keloids, they do not extend beyond the wound area and typically appear relatively quickly after trauma.

The biggest difference lies in the proportion of constitutional factors. Hypertrophic scars are not significantly influenced by constitutional factors and can occur when wounds are neglected or during the healing process of frequently bending joints like knees and elbows. They also differ from keloids in that recurrence after treatment is rare, and they tend to gradually fade over time.

In the clinic, even for similarly raised scars in the same area, keloids and hypertrophic scars often differ in their palpable borders and proliferation patterns. The treatment plan also starts with this distinction. This is because even for the same location, if the cause is different, the approach will be different.

Here are some points to consider when assessing scar types:

• Observe if the scar is spreading beyond the original wound area.
• Check if itching or throbbing pain is present.
• Observe if it fades over time or grows larger.
• Recall if any family members had similar scar tendencies.
• Postpone self-diagnosis and seek specialist consultation to confirm the condition.

If you are unsure whether it's a keloid or a hypertrophic scar, you can comfortably ask through chat consultation about distinguishing keloid scars.

For keloid scar treatment, scar injection therapy is a representative method. While some places perform treatment with keloid injections alone, Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon implements a complex keloid treatment that combines laser and injection therapy to suppress recurrence.

The complex keloid treatment utilizes Vbeam Prima, a vascular laser with a 595nm wavelength that reacts to red color. This focuses on calming the redness of keloid scars and preventing excessive scar proliferation.

Additionally, when performing Triamcinolone Scar Injection, low-pain injection therapy is applied to reduce discomfort. The procedure aims to lower the height of raised scars while minimizing side effects by appropriately adjusting the concentration of the corticosteroid hormone in the injection.

Since the cause of keloids is constitutional, it is reported that a continuous management approach, observing the progress rather than ending with a single treatment, is necessary. If the scar re-raises or itching recurs, it is advisable to get it checked without delay.

For other types of scars, such as surgical scars or deeply indented scars, which differ in form from keloids and involve depression or deformation, different approaches like Surgical Scar Revision may be more suitable. The key for any scar is to determine the direction based on its specific characteristics.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through chat consultation for keloid scar treatment.

If you are struggling with keloid scar treatment, please feel free to contact Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon at any time. We will do our best to provide friendly consultation and satisfactory results. Thank you for reading.

Representative Director Lee Sang-joo (MD, PhD, Yonsei University College of Medicine and Graduate School, Completed Dermatology Residency at Severance Hospital, President of the Korean Dermatological Association) Representative Director Lee Sang-joo's Profile First Published 2024-04-02 / Last Reviewed 2026-06-16

This content is for general information purposes only, and individual treatment responses and outcomes may vary. Please consult with medical staff for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.