What is Keloids & Hypertrophic Scars?

After an injury, surgery, acne or a piercing, the skin repairs itself with collagen. Sometimes this process overshoots. A hypertrophic scar is raised and red but stays within the boundaries of the original wound and may slowly improve over time. A keloid grows beyond the original wound edges, can keep enlarging, and rarely resolves on its own. Keloids are more common on the chest, shoulders, upper back, earlobes and jawline, and in people with a personal or family history of keloids.

Who it's for

Treatment may help if you have:

• A raised, firm scar after surgery, injury or acne
• A scar that is growing beyond the original wound
• Itching, tenderness or tightness in a scar
• Red or dark raised scars on the chest, shoulders or earlobes
• A history of keloids and plans for a procedure or piercing

How we treat it at Egg Clinic

A dermatologist first examines the scar to distinguish a keloid from a hypertrophic scar, as this affects treatment choice and expectations. Any unusual or rapidly changing lesion may be assessed further.

A common first-line treatment is intralesional steroid injections, which can help reduce collagen overgrowth, flatten the scar and relieve itching. Other injectable medicines may be combined in resistant cases. To address thickness and texture, we may use the CO2 laser, whose 10,600 nm energy creates controlled micro-injuries to remodel collagen and can improve the delivery of injected medication. Redness can be targeted with vascular lasers such as Excel V. Silicone gel or sheets and pressure are often recommended at home. Surgical removal is considered only selectively, usually with additional treatments to reduce recurrence.

What to expect

Your plan starts with a consultation and scar assessment. Injections take a few minutes and feel like pressure or stinging; numbing cream can help. Laser sessions usually take 10 to 30 minutes with a numbing cream. After CO2 laser, the area may be red and form fine crusts that settle over about a week. Injections can occasionally cause skin thinning, lightening or visible small vessels. Improvement is gradual and usually needs several sessions, often two to six weeks apart. Keloids can recur, so ongoing care is important and results vary.

Aftercare

• Avoid strenuous exercise, alcohol, saunas and steam rooms for about one week after laser
• Do not pick or remove natural scabs
• Wash gently with a mild cleanser from the day after treatment
• Apply moisturizer, regenerating cream and sunscreen regularly
• Use silicone gel or sheets as directed
• Avoid tension, friction and new piercings in keloid-prone areas

Frequently asked questions

Can keloids be removed completely?

Keloids can often be flattened and softened, but they tend to recur, especially after surgery alone. A combined, ongoing plan may offer a better chance of improvement.

How many injections will I need?

Most scars need several sessions spaced a few weeks apart. The number depends on scar size, thickness and response.

Can I prevent keloids after surgery?

If you are keloid-prone, early silicone use, pressure and timely treatment of raised areas may help lower the risk. Tell your surgeon and dermatologist beforehand.

Visit Egg Clinic in Sinsa

Egg Clinic is located at 613 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (3rd, 5th, 6th and 7th floors), directly in front of Sinsa Station Exit 5 on Line 3. We are open weekdays 11:00–20:30 and Saturday and Sunday 11:00–17:00, with a lunch break from 14:00 to 15:00. To book a consultation, call +82-2-542-5540, email eggclinic1@gmail.com, or message us on WhatsApp or KakaoTalk.