Keloid scars are fibrous, overgrown scars that develop after an injury, surgery, severe acne, or even minor skin trauma like a simple piercing. Unlike ordinary scars, keloids expand beyond the original wound, often becoming raised and larger over time. They commonly appear on the shoulders, chest, back, earlobes, and face. Although they are not cancerous, they can be itchy, painful, and cosmetically concerning, leading many people to seek specialized treatment. At The Minor Surgery Center (TMSC), our board-certified plastic surgeons have extensive experience in keloid scar removal to help restore confidence and comfort in your skin.
Symptoms of Keloid Scars
Keloids can take three months to a year to appear after a wound has healed, and they may continue to grow for weeks, months, or even years. Knowing the signs of keloid formation can help you identify them early:
Appearance: Larger and more pigmented than the original wound. They can feel soft and doughy or firm and rubbery.
Size: Keloids can range from less than an inch in diameter to over a foot long in severe cases.
Color: Often start out pink, red, or purple and can darken over time.
Location: Commonly form on earlobes, the center of the chest, back, and shoulders, but they can appear anywhere on the body.
Additional Symptoms: May feel itchy, tender, or painful during growth. These sensations often subside once the keloid stops expanding.
Causes of Keloid Scars
Several factors contribute to the development of keloid scars, and they aren’t always predictable. Common causes include:
Physical Trauma: Burns, cuts, severe acne, piercings, tattoos, or surgical incisions can lead to keloid formation.
Genetics: Individuals with darker skin tones or a family history of keloids are more prone to developing them.
Healing Process: Occasionally, the body produces excess scar tissue long after the initial wound has healed, causing a keloid.
Treatments for Keloid Scars
Keloid scar treatments aim to flatten, soften, or shrink the raised scar tissue. At TMSC, we personalize each treatment plan based on the scar’s size, location, and growth pattern. Our combination of surgical and non-surgical methods yields effective, long-term results. Here are some common options:
Surgical Removal: Excision of the keloid tissue under local anesthesia, often followed by corticosteroid injections to reduce recurrence.
Cryotherapy: Freezing the keloid to shrink it, which can be particularly useful for smaller scars.
Medicated Injections: Corticosteroid or other medication injections help shrink the keloid and relieve itchiness or discomfort.
Silicone Gel Bandages: Applying silicone sheets or gel bandages to gradually flatten and soften the scar.
Our board-certified plastic surgeons tailor each approach to your unique condition, ensuring safe, precise care to maximize results and minimize discomfort.
Permanent Keloid Removal
While keloids can be persistent, TMSC is committed to providing comprehensive care to achieve long-lasting improvement. By combining advanced surgical techniques with vigilant post-operative care—such as consistent use of compression dressings, injections, or topical gels—we work to minimize recurrence. Though it’s challenging to guarantee that a keloid will never return, our experienced surgeons utilize the latest methods to improve your chances of permanent removal.
How Much Does Keloid Scar Removal Cost?
The cost of keloid removal varies depending on factors like:
Size and Complexity: Larger or more complex keloids may require a more involved surgical approach.
Treatment Method: The combination of surgical and non-surgical interventions can influence overall costs.
Aftercare Needs: Post-operative treatments like steroid injections or compression therapy can add to the final cost.
We invite you to visit our Toronto or Oakville clinics for a free consultation. During this visit, we’ll assess your keloid and provide a detailed, personalized cost estimate. With over 15,000 successful surgeries performed at TMSC, our team focuses on delivering safe, aesthetically pleasing results for every patient.
Keloid Treatment Injection
Corticosteroid injections are a highly effective approach for managing keloids. These injections help to:
Reduce inflammation
Shrink excessive scar tissue
Soothe itchiness or discomfort
Depending on your unique situation, our surgeons may recommend a series of injections, combined with other therapies like silicone bandages or surgical excision, to optimize results.
Keloid Scar Treatment Options
Compare different treatments to find what's right for you
🔪Surgical Excision
What is Surgical Excision?
A precise procedure where our board-certified plastic surgeons carefully remove the keloid tissue under local anesthesia, often combined with preventative treatments to minimize recurrence.
Surgical removal involves carefully excising the keloid tissue under local anesthesia. At TMSC, our board-certified plastic surgeons combine excision with other preventative treatments to minimize recurrence risk. This comprehensive approach offers one of the most effective solutions for significant keloid removal.
A non-surgical treatment where medication is injected directly into the keloid to reduce inflammation, flatten the scar, and relieve itching or discomfort.
Corticosteroid injections are a non-surgical approach that helps reduce inflammation, soften scar tissue, and shrink keloids. These injections work by breaking down the collagen fibers that make up the keloid. At TMSC, we may recommend a series of injections spaced several weeks apart for optimal results.
A treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze the keloid tissue, causing it to gradually shrink and flatten over time.
Cryotherapy involves freezing the keloid tissue to break down cells and reduce its size. This treatment is particularly effective for smaller keloids. During the procedure, liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the keloid, causing the tissue to blister and eventually slough off, leading to a flatter appearance.
A non-invasive treatment where special silicone sheets are applied to the keloid to gradually soften and flatten the scar tissue over time.
Silicone gel sheets or bandages are a non-invasive approach that helps flatten and soften keloid scars over time. They work by creating a protective barrier over the scar while maintaining hydration. This treatment is often used as part of a comprehensive approach, either alone for smaller keloids or in combination with other therapies.
While keloids are benign, it’s essential to distinguish them from other, more serious skin issues. Rapid changes in size, shape, color, or the presence of chronic pain could indicate a different condition. If you observe any unusual or sudden changes in your scar, consult a healthcare professional to rule out malignant or infectious processes.
Keloid Cancer Symptoms
Keloids themselves aren’t cancerous, but it’s important to tell them apart from other skin conditions that might look similar. If you notice rapid changes in a scar or other unusual symptoms, see a doctor to rule out any serious issues. Symptoms like quick growth, major color changes, or ongoing pain should be checked by a professional.
FAQs
How can you prevent keloids?
To prevent keloids, avoid unnecessary skin trauma like piercings, tattoos and surgeries. If you’re prone to keloids, use pressure earrings for piercings and treat minor skin injuries immediately with petroleum jelly and nonstick bandages.
Can you permanently remove a keloid?
While there’s always a chance keloids might recur, surgical removal combined with post-op treatments (like steroid injections or compression therapy) can significantly lower that risk. Our surgeons will evaluate your keloid and recommend the best plan for long-lasting improvement.
Can I remove a keloid myself?
Self-removal is dangerous and can lead to infection, scarring, and further complications. Always seek the help of a licensed plastic surgeon or dermatologist for keloid treatment.
Are keloids cancerous?
No. Keloids are benign scar formations and do not transform into cancer. However, any sudden changes or unusual symptoms should be evaluated by a professional to rule out serious conditions.
Are keloids permanent?
Keloids can be stubborn and may continue to grow if untreated. Multiple treatments might be necessary to achieve optimal results, and even then, regular monitoring is important to catch any early signs of recurrence.
What are keloid treatment injections?
Keloid treatment injections typically involve corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation, soften scar tissue, and often diminish the size of the keloid. Depending on your case, our surgeons may recommend a series of injections for best results.
Contact Us for Keloid Scar Removal in Toronto, Oakville, and Southern Ontario
Ready to restore smoother, healthier skin? At The Minor Surgery Center (TMSC), our clinics in Toronto, Oakville, Vaughan and Mississauga are staffed with skilled, board-certified plastic surgeons who excel in keloid scar removal. We prioritize personalized treatment plans, focusing on the most effective, minimally invasive techniques to help you achieve your aesthetic and comfort goals.
Call us at (647) 614-1611 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation. Our expert team will thoroughly assess your keloid, discuss your treatment options, and guide you every step of the way—so you can feel confident, empowered, and ready to move forward.
Our locaitons
Toronto: 2920 Dufferin Street, Suite 202, Toronto ON M6B 3S8
Oakville: 3075 Hospital Gate Unit 109, Oakville, ON L6M 1M
Vaughan: 2701 Rutherford Rd Building C, Vaughan, ON L4K 2N6
Mississauga: 1224 Dundas Street West Unit 101 Mississauga, ON L4C 4G7
