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 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 visits and the methods described above are used over a 2 to 3 month period. Hypertrophic scars are sometimes treated in the same fashion but are more amenable to laser treatments, silastic sheeting and pressure garments.

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

Both of these patients had earlobe keloids caused by earring hole punctures. All were quite large and although the ear will never look exactly as it did before the earring holes were made the side views 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.