An essential part of the body's natural healing process, scars are the result of the skin's repair of wounds caused by accident, disease, or surgical incision. The more the skin is damaged and the longer it takes to heal, the greater the chance of a noticeable scar. Keloids are large sometimes dumbell shaped scars that grow out of the confines of the original wound. They are most common in Afro Americans especially in the ear lobes but occasionally are found in Hispanics and Asians.

Keloids in general require debulking, steroid injections and pressure garments or earrings. Keloids do not respond to silicone sheeting. Virtually all keloids that are cut out will return if steroids and pressure are not applied after surgery. Some surgeons apply radiation treatments after keloid removal to prevent recurrence. I have not found this to be necessary if close follow up with weekly office visitis and the methods described above are used over a 2 to 3 month period. Patients who live outside Los Angeles and local patients who cannot comply with the regimen of frequent office visits, pressure earring wear, etc. must undergo the radiation treatments. The treatments are given every other day beginning the day after surgery for a total of 4 treatments. This allows out of town patients to return home within one to two weeks of surgery. Hypertrophic scars are sometimes treated in the same fashion but are more amenable to laser treatments, silastic sheeting and pressure garments and generally do not require radiation treatments.

Although the exact skin condition prior to keloid formation cannot be reached vast improvement is possible.

Both patients below had earlobe keloids caused by earring hole puncture. All were quite large and although the ear will never look exactly as it did before the earring holes were made the side views below show that significant improvement is possible.

Keloid surgery can enhance your appearance and your self confidence. Realistic expectations are important to be happy with any surgery. As each patient is an individual, different results can be expected in each patient.

Dr. Aaron Stone

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2080 Century Park East, Suite 1110
Century City, Los Angeles, CA. 90067-2014
310-843-9021
Near Beverly Hills