keloid treatment

Most keloids require multiple treatment sessions spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. The number of sessions depends on your keloid’s size, location, and response to treatment. Some patients see good results after 3 to 4 treatments, while others benefit from ongoing maintenance therapy.

Keloids recur because the underlying tendency to overproduce scar tissue remains. Even after successful flattening, the same area can regrow if triggered by new trauma or without maintenance therapy. Combination treatments and preventive measures like silicone and pressure therapy help reduce recurrence risk.

Insurance coverage varies. Keloid treatment is often considered cosmetic and not covered, but some plans cover treatment when keloids cause pain, itching, or functional problems. We recommend checking with your insurance carrier. Our office can provide documentation if medical necessity applies, and we’ll discuss costs before treatment.

Keloids form when the body overproduces collagen during wound healing, creating raised scar tissue that grows beyond the original injury. They can develop after surgery, piercings, acne, burns, cuts, or even minor skin trauma. Some people are genetically prone to keloid formation, and they occur more frequently in people with darker skin tones.

If you’re prone to keloids, prevention is key. Avoid elective piercings or tattoos in high-risk areas, treat acne early to prevent scarring, and use silicone sheets or gel on new scars. If you need surgery, inform your surgeon about your keloid history so preventive measures can be taken during healing.

Both are raised scars from excess collagen, but keloids grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound and rarely improve on their own. Hypertrophic scars stay within the wound borders and often flatten over time. Treatment approaches overlap, but keloids are generally more challenging and prone to recurrence.

Keloids affect people of all backgrounds but occur more frequently in individuals with darker skin tones. Our South Austin dermatologists regularly treat keloids and understand the unique considerations involved in managing them effectively, including the importance of combination therapy and recurrence prevention.