Keloids

Keloids in Columbus, OH

Keloids are very prominent scars that have no medical significance but are more cosmetic concerns. At Downtown Dermatology, our board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Hicks-Graham specializes in keloid treatment for people in the Greater Columbus area.

What are Keloids?

Keloids are easy to distinguish from other types of scars because they have a very prominent appearance. A keloid scar is raised from the skin, so it looks like swollen tissue. A keloid develops when the body continues to form scar tissue after the original wound is healed.The condition is most common in the African-American population, but anyone can develop keloids as a result of:

  • Healed blisters
  • Scars from trauma and injury
  • Surgical scarring
  • Body piercings
  • Vaccine injections

Although keloids can develop on any part of the body or face, our patients most often have keloids on the:

  • Chest, especially in people who undergo heart surgery
  • Shoulders
  • Upper back
  • Earlobes (due to piercings)

Keloids Treatment Benefits

Keloids have a shiny, swollen appearance that may be brown, pink or purple. Because keloids are raised and discolored in comparison to surrounding skin, they are primarily a cosmetic concern. Depending on the location and size of the keloids, patients may find that they often injure the keloid during routine activities, and clothing may constantly rub against the keloid. This can irritate the surface of the keloid and lead to bleeding and chafing. Treatment aims to:

  • Reduce the size and appearance of keloids
  • Remove the keloid

What Areas Can Be Treated for Keloids?

As a board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Hicks-Graham has the expertise to determine the best treatment approach for your keloid based upon the size and location of the keloid. As such, treatment can be applied on any area of the body and face that may develop keloids.

What Can I Expect From Keloids Treatment?

Keloids are typically easy to distinguish from other skin conditions, but Dr. Hicks-Graham will ensure that the growth on your skin is indeed a keloid. She may take a sample of the tissue to examine under a microscope. Once she makes an accurate diagnosis, she will recommend a combination of treatments that may include:

  • Reducing the size of the keloid with compression bandages, or dressings treated with a special silicone gel or corticosteroid injections
  • Cryosurgery to freeze the keloid tissue
  • Laser treatments to destroy the excess scar tissue
  • Compression bandages to reduce the size of the keloid
  • Surgery to remove the keloid

Keloids Treatment Preparation

Preparing for keloid treatment is minimal, except in cases where the keloids are moderate to severe and require surgery. Dr. Hicks-Graham will provide pre-treatment instructions during your consultation.

Keloids Treatment Recovery

After treatment for keloids, you should keep the area clean to avoid infection. We will provide detailed post-treatment instructions during your consultation and before you are released after the procedure. We advise our patients who are treated for keloids that it is possible that the keloids will return after a period of time.

How Much Does Keloids Treatment Cost?

Keloid treatment may be covered under your medical insurance. We will work with your insurance carrier to maximize the benefits, but you will be responsible for paying a portion of the cost or the entire cost if the treatment is not covered by the medical insurance. Payment must be made at the time of treatment via cash, check, major credit card or CareCredit® financing.

Is Keloids Treatment Right for Me?

Many people are comfortable with having keloids, so treatment is primarily a personal choice versus a medical necessity. You should, though, have the growth on your skin evaluated by a board-certified dermatologist to ensure that it is not a more significant medical issue, such as skin cancer. Once Dr. Hicks-Graham accurately diagnoses the growth as a keloid, she will recommend treatments that will reduce the size of the keloid.

Keloids Consultation

Skin growths are caused by several medical conditions, some of which are purely cosmetic concerns, such as keloids. Contact us to schedule a consultation with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shari Hicks-Graham to have your skin growth evaluated and learn about our keloid treatments.If you have a prominent scar that is raised and discolored or any other type of skin growth, our board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Shari Hicks-Graham will let you know if it is a keloid or other type of growth. We offer several keloid treatment options for people in the Greater Columbus area.