Keloid Scars: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

Published: July, 2021

Last Reviewed: September, 2025

Whether it’s from a car accident, surgery, or a minor injury, scars are a natural part of the skin’s healing process. While many scars fade over time, some wounds can result in keloid scars—raised, smooth, and firm growths that form when the body produces too much scar tissue.

In this article, you’ll learn what keloid scars are, what causes them, how to recognise the symptoms, effective treatment options, how to reduce the appearance of keloid scars with Elastoplast Scar Reducer Patches, and practical steps to help prevent them from forming.

Keloid scars are raised scars that develop when the body makes too much collagen as the skin heals. Unlike normal scars, keloids grow beyond the original wound and can keep getting bigger over time. 

They may appear weeks, months, or even years after a skin injury such as a cut, burn, surgical wound, piercing, or acne. Keloids often look like firm, smooth bumps on the skin and usually do not fade away on their own. In some cases, they can last for many years.

Both men and women are equally affected by keloids. However, people under 30 and those with darker skin tones are at higher risk. Genetics also plays a role, so if someone in your family develops keloids, you may be more likely to get them to.

Keloid scars are raised, firm, and often larger than the original wound. They can appear smooth, shiny, and hairless, with colours that vary from your natural skin tone to pink, red, purple, brown, or even darker than the surrounding skin. These scars usually feel hard to the touch and can continue to grow over time.

These scars may be confused with hypertrophic scars. The main difference is that hypertrophic scars stay within the area of the original skin injury, making them smaller and more likely to fade naturally over time, whereas keloid scars can continue to grow.

Keloid scars can develop after an injury, burn, inflammation, piercing, vaccination, or even a small acne spot.

Once healing is complete, collagen production slows down. But with a keloid, the body continues making too much collagen even after the wound has healed. The extra collagen causes the scar tissue to grow larger, thicker, and raised above the skin

Not everyone develops keloid scars. Around 1 in 10 people are affected, and both men and women are equally at risk. However, certain factors can make keloids more likely, including:

• Having a darker skin tone
• Being under the age of 30
• A family history of keloids
• Pregnancy
• Asian or Latino heritage
• Certain health conditions, such as thyroid problems, high blood pressure, or other systemic diseases

Keloid scars are not dangerous to your health, but they can sometimes affect confidence, especially if they appear in a visible area such as the face, neck, or earlobes. Most keloids are painless, but some people may notice other symptoms, including:

• Pain or discomfort in the centre of the scar
• Tenderness when touched
• Itching around the edge where the keloid meets normal skin
• A burning or tingling sensation
• Stiffness or restricted movement if the keloid is close to a joint

While keloids are not harmful, their appearance and symptoms can be bothersome. If you are prone to keloids, the good news is that there are ways to reduce their appearance and steps you can take to lower the risk of new scars forming.

Scars can have a significant impact on quality of life, which is why many people look for ways to reduce or conceal them. Beyond potential physical pain or discomfort, scars can also affect psychological well-being and lower self-confidence, especially when they appear on visible areas of the body. These factors often motivate individuals to seek effective scar treatments.

Elastoplast Scar Reducer Patches help reduce hypertrophic and keloid scars. The plasters have been proven to effectively reduce the visibility of raised and discoloured scars by making them flatter, softer, and lighter. They are discreet, water-resistant, and easy to use, with visible results in just 3–4 weeks.

Scars form during the final stage of wound healing, and their appearance depends on how well the wound has healed. If you have keloid-prone skin, there are steps you can take to lower the chance of new scars developing. To reduce the risk of keloid scars, it’s important to avoid unnecessary skin trauma and care for your wounds properly.

While it may not always be possible to prevent keloids completely, it is recommended to follow some basic wound care principles:

As infections may increase the risk of abnormal scarring, always ensure that the wound is thoroughly cleansed of particles, dirt, and bacteria. Use the Elastoplast Wound Spray to cleanse the wound fast and easily.

Elastoplast Second Skin Protection is an ultra-thin, flexible, self-adhesive patch designed to protect and support the healing of everyday wounds. These waterproof and discreet patches create a protective barrier against dirt and bacteria, keeping the wound clean and reducing the risk of infection. By providing a safe, controlled environment for healing, they can help the skin recover more effectively and may reduce the likelihood of scars forming.

Keeping the wound moist can help the skin heal more quickly and reduce the likelihood of scarring. Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment creates the ideal environment for your skin to recover, supporting faster healing while helping to minimise the appearance of scars. 

In addition to proper wound care, certain lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk of keloid scars forming:

• Protect scars from the sun – keep wounds and newly formed scars out of direct sunlight to prevent darkening and irritation.
• Avoid extreme temperatures – Hot or cold conditions can slow healing or worsen scar appearance.
• Reduce tension on healing skin – Avoid activities or exercises that stretch or put pressure on the scar tissue.
• Follow medical advice for stitches – Only have stitches removed at the recommended time, as removing them too early or too late can affect healing.
• Avoid unnecessary skin trauma – Refrain from tattoos, piercings, or deliberate cuts, particularly in areas prone to keloid formation like earlobes.

Keloid scars can be difficult to treat, and not every method works for everyone. If a keloid is causing discomfort or affecting your confidence, it’s essential to consult with your doctor about the best course of action. Here are some options that your doctor might recommend to help manage keloid scars.

For very large or older keloid scars, surgery may be recommended. A specialised plastic surgeon performs the procedure to reduce tension during wound closure. While there is a risk that the keloid may return, removing a large keloid can improve comfort and appearance.

 

Cryosurgery involves freezing early keloid scars with liquid nitrogen to stop them from growing. After this treatment, your doctor may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and lower the chance of the keloid returning.

High-intensity light can improve the colour and texture of keloid scars, helping them blend more naturally with the surrounding skin. Laser therapy is one way this treatment is delivered. While it can make scars look smoother, it does not reduce their size, and in some cases, it may even make scarring worse.

Additional options include silicone gels, pressure dressings, emollients, corticosteroid injections, oral or topical tranilast (to reduce collagen production), and skin needling. The right approach often depends on the size, location, and severity of the keloid, so a doctor can help determine the best combination of treatments.