[Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon] Importance of Combined Laser Treatment to Reduce Keloid Recurrence

A keloid is not a scar that remains as it is once treatment is finished. Over time, it can grow larger or harder, and may be accompanied by daily discomforts such as pain and itching. So, if a keloid reappears even after treatment, what might be missing? The key lies in strategies to reduce the likelihood of recurrence as much as reducing the scar itself.

Keloids form when fibrous tissue proliferates excessively during the wound healing process. Unlike typical scars that stop healing at a certain point, the most significant characteristic of keloids is that this proliferative response does not easily stop.

Many people complain about the aesthetic burden due to their visible appearance, and the psychological stress caused by it is not insignificant. Due to this nature, it is difficult to completely prevent recurrence with a single treatment over a short period. It is more accurate to understand it as a scar that requires a more complex approach.

Currently, in clinical practice, combining laser treatment with injection therapy is used as a method to help reduce recurrence rates. Since the two treatments act on different mechanisms, when combined, a synergy can be expected to complement areas that are difficult to reach with only one method.

Triamcinolone Scar Injection aims to suppress excessive fibrous proliferation within the keloid. Keloids have a period when their proliferation rate is activated, and this is a representative treatment method that helps reduce the swelling and protrusion of the scar during this time.

However, even if it appears to be a simple and straightforward method, significant pain may be felt during the procedure, and the possibility of recurrence remains. Therefore, it is recommended to manage blood vessels that cause scar progression together. This is also why satisfaction differs when Triamcinolone Scar Injection and laser are combined in the treatment plan rather than injection alone.

If you are curious about the recurrence patterns of keloid scars, it may be helpful to review Characteristics and Management of Keloid Scars together.

Vbeam Prima selectively acts on blood vessels to alleviate redness and help prevent further scar progression. Keloids often have dilated blood vessels internally, and if these blood vessels remain, the likelihood of recurrence can increase.

If laser treatment is performed to return the blood vessel condition closer to normal and reduce inflammation, the treatment effect can be expected to last longer. If injections trim the swollen tissue, it is easy to understand laser treatment as clearing the ground for that tissue to regrow.

In the clinic, we often see cases where redness does not subside even with repeated injections, leading to hardening again. This is why a two-pronged approach is necessary.

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Another characteristic of keloids to note is their significant susceptibility to constitutional factors. If you tend to easily get wounds or experience significant swelling in response to minor skin irritation, efforts to reduce friction and irritation should accompany treatment.

Here are some points to keep in mind in daily life after treatment:

• Be careful to avoid repetitive friction or pressure on the treated area.
• Avoid irritation as much as possible to prevent new wounds.
• If itching or pain worsens, do not scratch arbitrarily and consult with medical staff.
• Adhere to the prescribed treatment intervals to avoid missing the period when proliferation is activated.

Many people are unaware of their own skin characteristics. Consulting with a dermatologist to thoroughly check your condition and review future management directions can be helpful for keloid management.

Keloids often originate from trauma or incision sites, such as surgical scars or cosmetic surgery scars. However, even if they start in the same place, the progression can vary from person to person depending on the intensity of the proliferative response and individual constitution.

Therefore, even for the same keloid, the treatment plan varies depending on the lesion's location, size, and vascular distribution. A combination tailored to the lesion's characteristics is more important than a single fixed formula.

Keloids are a type of scar with a possibility of recurrence, but by combining laser and injection strategies tailored to the lesion's characteristics, treatment satisfaction can be increased by reducing the risk of recurrence. As it is difficult for them to naturally return to their original state, if you are struggling with recurring discomfort or recurrence, we recommend considering a combined treatment that suits you.

Treatment timing and methods may vary individually, so it is best to confirm an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan through a direct consultation with medical staff.

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 Profile First published 2026-02-20 / Last reviewed 2026-06-16

This article is for general information purposes only, and treatment results may vary individually. Accurate diagnosis and treatment plans should be determined through consultation with medical staff.