Why You Need Treatment at a Keloid Hospital: Removing Acne Keloids

If you have hard, bumpy raised skin on your jawline, chest, or back, it's worth considering the possibility that it might be a keloid rather than a simple acne scar. In the clinic, we often see cases where people mistake these for an extension of acne and delay treatment by neglecting them for too long. If you are experiencing recurrent inflammatory acne, it is safer to get an accurate diagnosis rather than self-diagnosing.

Unlike typical scars, keloids are characterized by protruding more than normal skin and gradually expanding over time. They are known to occur when tissue proliferation, which should stop during the wound healing process, proceeds excessively, and they are reported to be closely related to constitutional factors.

Due to these characteristics, understanding and approaching the progression of keloid scars is the first step in treating keloids.

If your acne doesn't heal well and remains as raised bumps in the same spot, it may be helpful to check if you have skin characteristics prone to keloids. Caution is needed if any of the following apply to you:

• If a family member has keloid scars
• If acne, wounds, or surgical scars become unusually red and hard
• If a wound on areas with high skin tension, such as the chest, shoulders, or back, swells up
• If even small wounds leave long-lasting scars that tend to grow larger

If a constitutional tendency is suspected, focusing on early management to calm acne itself can help reduce the burden of scarring.

Acne is typically an inflammatory disease, with treatment focusing on sebum control and antibiotic therapy. However, if the area where acne was present hardens and continues to grow, it is highly likely to be a keloid scar rather than simple acne. In this case, the approach itself must change completely.

Keloid treatment involves a combination of injections and laser therapy to reduce the raised scar tissue and lower the possibility of recurrence. When Triamcinolone Scar Injection is used to suppress inflammation and proliferation within the keloid, and laser procedures are performed together, improvement effects are reported to be relatively consistent. However, the effectiveness and progress may vary individually.

Many people mistakenly treat keloids as simple scars, using only ointments or general acne products, which can actually worsen the condition. Accurate diagnosis followed by systematic treatment is necessary to prevent the problem from deepening.

For any questions, inquire via chat consultation regarding keloid scar treatment

Treatment generally follows this flow:

Medical staff with extensive treatment experience will approach with customized care, considering both the patient's constitution and the characteristics of the lesion. If personal management shows no signs of improvement, it is helpful to change the approach in a timely manner. In cases where scars are wide or deep, and injections and lasers alone are insufficient, Surgical Scar Revision may also be considered.

Once formed, keloids have a high chance of recurrence, making prevention of utmost importance. It is good to keep the following in mind:

• Be careful not to get unnecessary skin injuries
• Actively manage recurrent inflammatory acne in its early stages
• Refrain from tattoos, piercings, and unnecessary procedures as much as possible
• If you have a history of keloid scars, inform the medical staff beforehand

Unlike acne scars where acne marks are deeply pitted or leave pigmentation, keloids are raised, so the management approach differs. Distinguishing between the two cases is the first step.

If your skin grows bumpy, feels hard to the touch, and does not disappear over time, there is a high probability that it is a keloid, not acne. For those with a constitutional tendency, getting an early diagnosis and starting combined injection and laser treatment can be an option. Keloid scars require a different approach than acne treatment; rather than worrying alone, we recommend getting an accurate diagnosis.

Chief 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) Chief Director Lee Sang-joo's Profile First published 2025-07-07 / Last reviewed 2026-06-16

This content is for general information purposes only, and symptoms and progress may vary individually. Accurate diagnosis and treatment direction should be determined through consultation with medical staff.