Hello, I am Kang Jin-moon, a dermatologist. In the past, many people were unfamiliar with keloid scars or thought there was no need to treat them, but recently, there has been a significant increase in people visiting dermatology clinics to remove keloid scars. Questions about keloid scar management and treatment have also increased. So today, I will explain four common questions about keloid scars in an easy-to-understand manner.
Why do keloid scars form, and where do they typically appear?
The exact reason why keloid scars form is not yet clearly understood, but they commonly appear on the chest, shoulders, back, jaw, and abdomen. This is believed to be due to increased fibroblast activity in the injured area and greater tension in that area, causing fibroblasts to produce an excessive amount of collagen fibers.
Therefore, strength training, which can increase tension and blood supply to the keloid area, is considered a factor that can worsen keloids. To treat keloids, refraining from strength training in the affected area may be helpful. However, it is difficult to advise people who enjoy exercise to stop completely, so we recommend that you continue exercising but receive regular keloid treatments.
What is the difference between keloid scars and hypertrophic scars?
Keloid scars and hypertrophic scars are, in fact, completely different conditions. The biggest differences lie in the severity and progression pattern of the scars.
- Hypertrophic Scars:
- Can occur in anyone with a severe injury.
- The scar only grows within the boundaries of the original wound.
- Most tend to stabilize on their own over time.
- Keloid Scars:
- Only occur in people with a keloid predisposition.
- Characterized by the scar growing excessively beyond the boundaries of the original wound and continuing to progress.
- Since they can continue to grow larger over time, it is important to receive treatment as early as possible.
If I suddenly developed a keloid scar, am I keloid-prone?
Occasionally, people say that they suddenly developed a keloid scar after a major trauma from surgery or an accident. In such cases, individuals may not have known they had a keloid predisposition until a keloid appeared after a major trauma.
Therefore, these individuals need sufficient consultation with their surgeon when deciding on surgical procedures, and it is advisable to be as careful as possible to avoid even minor injuries in daily life.
How can I distinguish between acne and keloid scars?
In fact, acne and keloid scars have distinct characteristics and can be relatively easily distinguished.
Acne is accompanied by inflammation, so it may have redness, pain when touched, and a springy, soft feeling. In contrast, keloids are scars that form due to excessive fibrosis caused by acne inflammation, so they feel hard when touched and generally do not cause pain. However, pain or itching may accompany the process of keloid growth.
Also, if acne persists in the same spot for more than 6 months without disappearing, you should suspect that it might be a keloid scar.
We have now addressed various questions related to keloid scars. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are important for keloid scars, so if you have any questions, it is advisable to consult a specialist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.