How effective is cryotherapy for keloid scars?

Freezing injures scar tissue and can reduce its thickness, firmness, itch, or tenderness as it heals. Thick or long-standing keloids may respond incompletely, and the treated skin can become lighter, darker, numb, blistered, or sore. Dermatologists may combine freezing with injections or pressure-based care because a keloid can regrow after one treatment or after it has been reduced.

Discuss your history of raised scars, skin tone, scar location, and previous treatments before freezing. Follow dressing instructions and protect the area while it heals. Do not self-treat a keloid with household freezing products. Keep follow-up appointments so changes in height, symptoms, and skin colour can guide the next step.

Contact the clinic if pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or warmth is worsening. Seek review if the scar grows beyond the original wound, becomes ulcerated, bleeds, or changes quickly. A new raised scar should be examined before treatment because keloids and other growths can look similar.

Ask what improvement is realistic, whether combination treatment is appropriate, how pigment change will be handled, and how recurrence will be monitored.