Keloids / Scar Revision

Conveniently located to serve Washington DC, Arlington, Bethesda

What are keloids?

Keloids are abnormally large scars that are created when the body “overheals” an injury or surgical incision.  This leads to much more scar tissue building up than is needed.  This can cause pain, itching or restriction in movement.  They are most common after surgery, ear piercings, or trauma, but can also follow minor injuries such as scrapes, insect bites, or shallow cuts. 

How are they treated?

Since Keloids are due to trauma, surgical excision alone often leads to a high rate of recurrence.  Treatment can include steroid injections to “dissolve” the scar tissue and improve symptoms. This is often a first stage treatment.  Other treatments with a higher rate of success include cutting out the scar and treating the area with either steroid injections or a short course of low dose radiation.  This slows down healing to minimize the risk of recurrence.  We partner with radiation therapists to coordinate care since timing is essential with post treatment radiation for optimal results. 

Scar revision

Scar revision can be done to improve scars that may have healed poorly either due to trauma, another surgical procedure or due to disruption of previous healing.  In some cases improvement can be achieved through removing the scar and reclosing it meticulously.

Risks

The most common risks are recurrence or wound healing problems. Steroid injections have a risk of fat atrophy, skin thinning or pigment “washout”.