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Keloid Scar
Surgery, piercings, and even injuries can create dark, puffy, irregularly shaped scars called keloids. This non-cancerous type of scarring is usually due to genetics and the location of the wound. At the Mole Institute our physicians are experienced in keloid scar treatment and removal to help patients feel more confident.
The Mole Institute in Hamilton offers expert keloid scar treatment and removal. Our physicians have the experience to help patients travelling from Oakville, Burlington, Welland, Mississauga, Ancaster and other surrounding communities feel more confident in their skin.
What is a keloid?
Usually, a wound, cut, or surgical incision will heal with a scar that is more or less the same dimensions and shape as the wound itself with varying degrees of pigmentation and texture from person to person. Keloids, on the other hand, are variations in healing and scarring in which the scar seems to take on a life of its own, growing far outside the dimensions of the wound that caused it. The keloid scar is much larger, and more raised and pigmented than an ordinary scar and can be very cosmetically disfiguring.
One classic example of a keloid occurs after a simple ear piercing. A very large, nodular, and purple scar forms after a few months, which can be many centimetres in size and be of extreme concern to the patient.
Your best C.A.R.E. is our priority
To meet with our team of physicians at the Mole Institute, follow our 4 step C.A.R.E. process. Book a consultation online or by calling (905) 906-SKIN (7546).
No referral is needed.
Connect
Call our office or book a free consultation online
Assess
Your condition will be assessed by a trained physician
Remove
Procedures can be done on the same day as your consultation
Enjoy
Enjoy your results with minimal downtime
Clarifying keloids vs. piercing bumps vs. hypertrophic scars
While keloids, piercing bumps, and hypertrophic scars can be associated with piercings, there are some key differences:
- Keloids are an overgrowth of scar tissue that may appear months after a piercing and extend beyond the original site. They are typically firm, raised, and vary in colour depending on skin tone. Keloids do not resolve on their own and often require treatment.
- Hypertrophic scars are also scar tissue, but they typically develop within a month or two of the piercing, remain around the piercing, and are usually discoloured. They tend to shrink over time, but may require treatment.
- Piercing bumps are the body’s response to ear and nose piercings, forming around the hole soon after. They are usually small, soft, and tender, and they often resolve on their own once the irritation subsides.
To learn more, read this article in our blog.
What causes keloids?
Keloids form because of an overactive healing process. When your skin is injured, your body tries to repair it by producing collagen (the protein that helps form scar tissue). In some people, the body produces too much collagen, leading to a scar that keeps growing even after the wound is healed. Essentially, the scar doesn’t get the signal to stop, resulting in a keloid.
Do keloids go away on their own?
While keloids eventually stop growing and changing, they do not go away without intervention.
How do you stop a keloid from growing?
If you are prone to getting keloids, it is risky to get piercings, tattoos, or cosmetic procedures—especially in areas where keloids are likely to form. If you get a new piercing on your earlobe and notice the skin thickening, you may be able to suppress keloid growth by removing the piercing right away and applying a pressure earring. Contact our office at (905) 906-7546 if you have questions.
Will a keloid go away if I take out the piercing?
Once a keloid has formed, it will not go away even if you remove the jewelry.
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