Keloid Treatment

Control the scar that grew beyond the wound. Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that extends beyond the original wound boundary -- sometimes growing significantly larger than the original injury. Unlike hypertrophic scars, keloids do not self-resolve; they continue to grow. They are more common in individuals with darker skin tones and have a strong genetic predisposition. Common sites include the earlobes, chest, shoulders, upper back, and jawline. Keloids can be itchy, tender, firm, and disfiguring -- causing both physical discomfort and significant psychological distress. Treating keloids requires a multi-modal approach; no single treatment is universally effective, and combination therapy offers the best outcomes.

Important: Keloids recur. The goal of treatment is significant reduction and long-term control -- not guaranteed permanent cure. Dr. Bhavya Sree will always discuss the realistic recurrence risk for your specific keloid before recommending treatment.

M.Ch Plastic Surgery -- NIMS Hyderabad (India's premier surgical training institution) FAM & FAS (Belgium) -- International fellowship-level training in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery All consultations, procedures, and injectables performed personally by Dr. Bhavya Sree -- never delegated Visakhapatnam's only plastic surgeon with dual international fellowship credentials in aesthetic surgery Natural-looking results -- surgical technique guided by an artist's eye for proportion and harmony

Treatment Options -- Used in Combination Treatment Role in Management

Intralesional Steroid First-line treatment. Triamcinolone injected directly at 4-6 week Injections intervals. Flattens, softens, reduces redness. Effective for smaller keloids. Surgical Excision Keloid surgically removed -- always combined with post-operative adjuvant therapy (radiation, steroids, silicone) to prevent regrowth. Excision alone has up to 80% recurrence rate. Post-Excision Radiotherapy Low-dose radiotherapy applied within 24-48 hours of surgery dramatically reduces keloid recurrence to as low as 10-15%. Pressure Therapy Sustained compression -- pressure earrings or custom garments. Most effective as adjuvant alongside other treatments. Silicone Gel / Sheets Applied continuously over the keloid or post-excision site. Reduces recurrence and softens existing keloid tissue for 6-12 months. Laser Therapy Pulsed dye laser (PDL) reduces redness. Fractional laser improves surface texture. Best as adjuvant -- not standalone. First Line Steroid injections -- 3-6 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart Surgical Cases Excision + radiotherapy + steroid injections post-op Recurrence Risk 10-80% depending on site, size, and treatment combination High-Risk Sites Earlobes, chest, shoulders, upper back, jawline Follow-Up Long-term -- 1-2 years of monitoring recommended

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a keloid be permanently removed? Keloids are notoriously challenging to permanently eliminate. With combination treatment (excision + radiotherapy + steroid injections + silicone), recurrence rates can be reduced to 10-20%, but no guarantee of permanent cure can be given. Dr. Bhavya Sree is transparent about this from the first consultation.

I had a keloid removed before and it came back. Can it be treated again? Yes -- recurrent keloids can be treated again, often with a different or more aggressive combination. Dr. Bhavya Sree will review your previous treatment history and design a revised plan accordingly.

Are keloids hereditary? Yes -- there is a strong genetic component. If close family members develop keloids, your risk is significantly higher. This information is factored into treatment planning and follow-up intensity.

Keloid treatment requires expertise and patience -- drbhavyaplasticsurgery.com