What should you know about keloid treatment after surgery?

A surgical incision normally becomes flatter as it matures, but a keloid can remain raised and extend outside the original cut. It may itch, feel sore or tight, and become irritated by clothing. Treatment timing depends on whether the wound is fully closed and whether the raised area is active. Removing a keloid can leave another incision, so recurrence prevention is planned alongside any procedure. Your clinician may consider injections, laser or freezing treatment, or surgery according to the scar's features and your history.

Keep scheduled reviews and follow the surgeon's dressing instructions. Do not massage an open wound, pick scabs, or apply silicone, steroid, or bleaching products unless advised for your incision. Once the skin is healed, ask when pressure or scar products can begin. Shield the area from strong sun and reduce rubbing from straps or tight clothing. Tell the clinician about every previous keloid, because that history can change the balance between removing tissue and observing it.

Call the surgical team promptly for increasing pain, warmth, redness, swelling, drainage, bad smell, wound separation, or fever. Seek review if a firm ridge starts enlarging, itch becomes persistent, or movement near the scar becomes limited. A new change after surgery should be assessed rather than self-treated.

Ask whether the incision is ready for scar treatment, which option suits its location, how recurrence will be watched for, and which dressing or activity limits apply. Clarify who to contact outside clinic hours.