Why Do Keloid Injections Hurt So Much? How to Get Them Without Pain | [Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon]

Many people commonly recall keloid scar treatment injections being particularly painful. The first question that usually comes to mind is, "Why do keloid injections hurt more than other injections?" To answer directly, the pain stems from the characteristics of the keloid tissue and the acidity of the injection components, rather than the needle itself.

This is Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon. In this article, we will systematically explain the causes and components of keloid injection pain, methods to reduce pain, and criteria for ending treatment. We will elaborate based on the clinical experience of dermatology specialists.

The component used in keloid injections is a steroid. Specifically, Triamcinolone, a medication that forms precipitates, is used.

There is a reason for choosing Triamcinolone among various steroids. When injected, precipitates remain in the lesion area and slowly dissolve in small amounts over several months. During this process, the medication's effect acts locally only on the surrounding tissue, which is known to relatively reduce the burden of systemic spread.

Conversely, if other common steroids are used, the medication's effect is likely to spread systemically. What we want is a localized effect concentrated on the keloid lesion, but if the systemic effect increases, the effect on the lesion itself may decrease, leaving only a systemic burden. This is the background for using Triamcinolone injections in keloid treatment. Related procedures can be explored further on the Triamcinolone Scar Injection page.

Many people believe that the reason injections hurt is "when the needle penetrates the skin." The same applies when thinking of a buttock injection, but in reality, the moment the needle passes through the skin is not as painful as one might think.

In the clinic, one aspect of pain occurs when the pH of the injection component does not match our body. The unique tissue structure of keloids further amplifies this pain.

The most fundamental aspect is how calmly the doctor performs the injection. If injected hastily, the speed of medication delivery increases, and excessive force can momentarily tear tissue, increasing pain.

Conversely, if the doctor injects slowly and at a consistent speed, pain can be significantly reduced. Here are some points for patients to consider regarding pain:

• Whether the injection is performed slowly, without rushing
• Whether excessive force is avoided, considering the characteristic of keloids with densely packed collagen fibers
• Whether there is sufficient communication with the practitioner if the pain is severe
• Whether the treatment is approached in multiple sessions rather than trying to finish it all at once

In addition, several other methods to reduce pain are part of the expertise accumulated by our doctors in clinical practice. For any questions, you can inquire via chat consultation regarding keloid injection pain.

It is difficult to approach Keloid Scar treatment with the concept of a complete cure. However, the criteria for concluding treatment are relatively clear: the point at which the redness of the lesion has almost disappeared serves as the standard.

When injections and laser treatment are combined, the initially raised areas become significantly flatter. However, redness often remains at this point. If treatment is stopped at this stage, recurrence of keloids is reported in a significant number of cases.

Conversely, it is reported that the recurrence rate is significantly lower if laser treatment is continued sufficiently until the redness disappears.

Therefore, the treatment goal is set at the point when the redness is gone. The speed at which redness fades varies greatly from person to person; some fade relatively quickly, while others take a considerable amount of time.

In severe cases, some individuals may undergo 10, 20, or more treatments. In any case, treatment can only be considered complete when the redness has sufficiently disappeared, so consistent progress until the end is paramount.

The way to prevent keloids is to avoid creating wounds on the skin. If you have a keloid predisposition, procedures that involve skin incision, such as plastic surgery, should be approached cautiously. As scars can lead to keloids, prior consultation regarding cosmetic surgery scars can also be helpful.

In particular, common acne can also be a cause of keloids, so regular management is necessary. However, it is currently more accurate to say that there is no way to completely prevent keloids.

Keloid injection pain is a result of the acidity of Triamcinolone, the dense collagen tissue, and the injection method combined. We hope you understand that the pain can vary depending on where and how you receive the injection.

If you are concerned about the keloid treatment process or pain, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Inquire via chat consultation if you are curious about keloid injection treatment

Dr. Sang-Joo Lee, the lead director (dermatology specialist), leads Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon, having long treated pigment and scars. He is also an adjunct professor at the Department of Dermatology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, and will serve as the president of the Korean Dermatological Association in 2026. View Dr. Sang-Joo Lee's Profile First published 2024-11-21 / Last reviewed July 23, 2026

This content is for general medical information purposes only, and the degree of pain and treatment response may vary from person to person. Please confirm an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan through consultation with a dermatology specialist.