Keloids of the Head & Neck

Keloids are overgrown areas of scar tissue that form at the site of a previous injury such as an incision, wound, vaccination, pimple, or piercing. They appear on the skin as an irregularly-shaped pink or red scar that is raised above the rest of the skin and continues to grow into areas that were not affected by the initial injury.

Candidates

Although keloids are not medically dangerous, many people seek treatment to restore the appearance of their skin. If you have an aesthetically displeasing keloid or hypertrophic/enlarged scar and wish to have it improved, you may be a candidate for a consultation.

Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Knott or Dr. Park will evaluate your keloid or hypertrophic scar and review all previous treatments that you have received. He will review the current treatment options and make a recommendation for your individual case. The number of possible treatments, expected outcome, and potential for eventual restoration will be discussed at length.

Procedure

Treatment of keloids depends on your personal preferences and desired outcome. The only true cure for keloids is to prevent them from occurring, but there are several procedures available to help improve the appearance and related symptoms. Some of these treatments help flatten keloids, while others reduce redness and size. Most treatments will leave an irregular mark or texture on the skin.

Keloid treatments include:

  • Cortisone injections
  • Cryotherapy
  • Compressive therapy
  • Radiation therapy
  • Surgery

Recovery

Although recovery is dependent upon the specific treatment regimen, you may only experience minor discomfort at the time of the procedure if cortisone injections are performed. Surgical excision and radiation therapy are of course more involved. If compressive therapy can be integrated into your treatment plan, it is usually recommended as an ongoing therapy.

To learn more about keloids and whether or not a procedure is right for you, please call us today to schedule a consultation.

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