Keloid-Prone Skin: What Should Be Checked Before Mole Removal or Laser Treatment?

A keloid is a scar that rises firm and red beyond the original wound because too much collagen is produced as the wound heals. If you have had a keloid before or someone in your family has, let us know first before procedures that create wounds in the skin, such as mole removal or laser treatment, and the area and method are decided after an examination.

How are keloids different from hypertrophic scars?

Hypertrophic scars rise only within the wound area and tend to flatten over several months to one or two years. Keloids spread sideways beyond the wound's edges as they grow, rarely shrink on their own, and are often accompanied by itching or a tight feeling. Earlobe piercing sites, the front of the chest, the shoulders, and the jawline are known as areas where keloids tend to form.

What People with Keloid-Prone Skin Should Check Before Treatment

Even with the same procedure, the risk varies depending on which area is treated and how deep a wound is created. When removing moles or skin tags on the chest, shoulders, or earlobes with a laser, we may reduce the size and depth and divide treatment into stages, or choose not to treat at all. Showing us old scars in person or letting us know about them through photos helps with the decision.

At our Suwon clinic, the red marks that remain after CO2 laser mole removal are regarded as part of the healing process, and we advise watching whether they fade over one to two months. If during this period a mark does not fade but instead rises firm or becomes itchy, it may be a sign that a keloid or hypertrophic scar is starting, so it's best to see a doctor promptly.

CO2 laser mole removal in Suwon: what determines the depth and scarring?

View CO2 laser mole removal treatment information

How are keloid scars treated?

The basic approach to keloid treatment is to inject steroids into the scar to suppress excessive collagen production, and silicone gel or sheets, compression, or lasers may also be used alongside it. Simply removing it surgically can cause it to come back even larger in the same place, so surgery alone is decided on carefully. Rather than being finished in one session, it is a process of repeating treatment every few weeks to reduce thickness and itching.

After steroid injections, side effects such as thinning and indentation of the skin or lightening of its color may occur. If the treated area becomes increasingly red, swollen, and painful, or if you see pus, please contact the clinic. If you are pregnant or taking any medication, please let us know before treatment.

FAQ

Q. How can I tell if I have keloid-prone skin?

A. If old wounds, piercings, or acne spots have ever risen larger than their original area and become firm, keloid-prone skin is considered. Having family members with similar scars is also taken into account, and since there is no test to check in advance, the judgment is made based on the shape of previous scars.

Q. Will a piercing keloid go away on its own?

A. Keloids that form at ear piercing sites rarely flatten on their own and may slowly grow if left alone. Starting injection treatment while it is still small is less burdensome, and it's best not to keep irritating the same spot with earrings.

Q. Can people with keloid-prone skin get laser toning?

A. Toning, which creates almost no wounds on the skin surface, is known to carry a relatively low keloid risk. However, lasers that create wounds, or areas such as the chest and back with severe acne inflammation, may react differently, so let us know about your skin type in advance, and the decision is made after examining each area.