What Does a Keloid Look Like?

Keloids can be pink, red, brown, purple, or darker than the surrounding skin, depending on the person and the scar’s age. Their surface may be shiny, smooth, ridged, or uneven. The edge often grows past the boundary of the original cut, piercing, acne spot, burn, or other injury.

Some keloids are symptom-free. Others itch, feel tight, ache, or become tender when clothing or jewellery rubs them. A raised scar that stays within the original wound may be a different type of scar. Appearance alone cannot reliably identify every lump, especially when there was no remembered injury.

Take a clear photograph beside a familiar object for scale, note when the area changed, and arrange a skin assessment if it is growing, symptomatic, or uncertain. Avoid cutting, squeezing, scraping, or repeatedly rubbing it. Covering a healing injury and reducing friction may help protect the skin, but established scar tissue needs professional advice.

Treatment choices depend on the location, size, colour, firmness, symptoms, and previous response. A clinician may discuss injections, laser, freezing, or surgery; options include [Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment](/treatments/laser-and-energy/pulsed-dye-laser-treatment/) and [Keloid Removal Surgery](/treatments/surgical-dermatology/keloid-excision/).

Seek prompt care if a lump grows quickly, becomes hot or very painful, drains pus, bleeds repeatedly, develops an open sore, or comes with fever. A new or changing lump should be examined rather than labelled from a photograph. Urgent help is needed for swelling that interferes with breathing or swallowing, especially when the face or mouth is involved.

Ask whether the appearance fits a keloid or another skin lump, and whether the original injury explains its borders. Discuss whether the aim is to flatten it, reduce colour, ease itch, or protect movement. Ask about expected skin changes, aftercare, recurrence monitoring, and which symptoms should bring you back sooner.