How to lighten a keloid scar

A keloid is extra scar tissue that becomes firm and raised and may extend beyond the original wound. It can be pink, red, brown, or darker than nearby skin, and it may itch, feel tight, or become tender. Acne, piercings, injections, burns, and surgical cuts can precede one; an acne mark itself does not prove that a lump is a keloid.

Because a keloid can resemble another skin lump or a thickened scar, diagnosis matters before treatment. Colour may soften as inflammation settles, but flattening the scar and preventing further growth are separate goals.

Do not cut, scratch, or repeatedly injure the area. Protect it from sun so the colour does not become more noticeable, and use only dressings or silicone products recommended for your scar. A dermatologist may offer Steroid Injection Into The Skin to reduce thickness and symptoms.

Depending on the scar, options can include Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment for redness, Fractional Laser Treatment for texture, or Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal). Excision may be considered in selected cases, often with a plan to reduce regrowth; Keloid Removal Surgery is not a decision to make from appearance alone.

Book a dermatology assessment if a scar is enlarging beyond the wound, repeatedly itchy, painful, ulcerated, or restricting movement. Seek prompt care for bleeding, sudden rapid change, warmth, pus, or spreading redness. A new lump should be examined before any cosmetic procedure.

Ask how the diagnosis was made, whether the priority is colour or height, what recurrence prevention is planned, and how treatment may affect your skin tone.