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Keloid Treatment St. Louis
Keloids are firm overgrowths of scar tissue that extend beyond the original wound and can keep growing over time. They’re challenging to treat and prone to return, which is why they respond best to a combination of therapies rather than removal alone. At St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Troy, MO, keloids are treated under the direction of Dr. Brandon T. Beal, a double board-certified dermatologist.
Double board-certified
Dermatology and Mohs micrographic surgery
Fellowship-trained
Advanced cosmetic and reconstructive training
Physician-owned
Independent practice, never corporate
Troy & Chesterfield
Second location now open
What Are Keloids?
Keloids are overgrowths of scar tissue that develop where the skin has healed after an injury. Unlike a normal scar, a keloid extends beyond the original wound and may keep growing over time. They can appear anywhere but are most common on the chest, shoulders, earlobes, and cheeks. Because keloids can be both a cosmetic concern and a source of itching or discomfort, treatment is tailored to your specific keloid and goals.
Keloids are one type of scar we treat. For other scar types, see our scar revision & repair page.
Causes & Risk Factors
The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but several factors raise the likelihood of forming keloids:
- Genetics — keloids run in families; you’re more likely to form them if a close relative does
- Skin tone — people of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent are more prone to keloids
- Age — they’re most likely to develop between about 10 and 30
- High-tension areas — the chest, back, shoulders, and earlobes are common sites
- Type of injury — keloids can follow acne, piercings, surgical incisions, burns, vaccinations, or even minor cuts and insect bites
How to Recognize a Keloid
Keloids tend to be raised and firm to the touch, with a smooth, sometimes shiny surface. They grow beyond the edges of the original wound, which sets them apart from hypertrophic scars that stay within the injury site. Color can range from pink or red to purple or darker than the surrounding skin, and they may itch, feel tender, or be uncomfortable, especially in areas that stretch or move often.
Keloid Before and After Photos
Every photo is from one of Dr. Beal’s patients. Results vary, and keloids can recur.
Treatment Options
We offer several keloid treatments, often used in combination, since no single approach works for every keloid:
- Corticosteroid injections — help flatten the keloid and ease symptoms
- Cryotherapy — freezing with liquid nitrogen to help reduce size
- Laser therapy — can improve appearance and reduce redness
- Surgical excision — removing the keloid, almost always combined with other treatments to lower the chance of recurrence
- Radiation therapy — sometimes used alongside surgery for more severe cases
- Topical treatments — silicone sheets, gels, or ointments to help manage keloids
- Pressure therapy — steady pressure to help prevent formation or recurrence
It’s important to be realistic: keloids are challenging to treat and can recur even after successful treatment, which is why a combination of therapies is usually the most effective approach. Your provider will build a plan around your keloid and revisit it over time.
Results vary. A consultation is required to determine which treatments are appropriate for you, and treatment plans are individualized. Keloids are difficult to treat and may recur even after successful treatment; results develop over time and differ from person to person.
Prevention & When to Seek Care
Not every keloid can be prevented, but if you’re prone to them you can lower your risk: avoid unnecessary skin trauma like piercings or tattoos, care for wounds properly as they heal, use silicone sheets or gels on fresh wounds, and consider pressure therapy for healing wounds in high-risk areas. If you notice an unusual growth of scar tissue, or you’re concerned about a wound forming a keloid, it’s worth seeing a dermatologist early, since earlier intervention tends to lead to better outcomes.
Schedule a Keloid Consultation in Troy, MO
If a keloid is affecting your comfort or confidence, an evaluation is the first step toward a plan that fits your skin and goals. We welcome patients from across the region, including O’Fallon and St. Charles, at our Troy office, and our second location in Chesterfield. Call (314) 834-1400 or request a consultation online.
Common questions
Keloid FAQs.
Can a keloid be removed for good?
The honest answer is that keloids are prone to recurrence, and surgical removal on its own often isn’t enough, sometimes a keloid returns larger than before. That’s why excision is almost always paired with other treatments like steroid injections, and why a combination plan gives the best chance of a lasting result. We’ll set realistic expectations at your consultation.
What’s the difference between a keloid and a regular scar?
A normal scar stays within the boundaries of the original wound. A keloid grows beyond it, often staying raised, firm, and sometimes itchy or tender. A hypertrophic scar is also raised but, unlike a keloid, remains confined to the injury site.
Are keloid treatments painful?
Most keloid treatments are well tolerated. Injections involve brief discomfort, and your provider will talk you through what to expect for whichever approach fits your keloid. Managing symptoms like itching and tenderness is often part of the goal.
I’m prone to keloids. Can I still get a piercing or have surgery?
If you’re keloid-prone, it’s worth weighing unnecessary skin trauma like piercings or tattoos carefully. When a procedure is necessary, there are steps, like silicone, pressure therapy, and close follow-up, that can lower the risk. Talk with your provider about preventive options for your situation.
How soon should I treat a keloid?
Earlier is generally better. Addressing a keloid, or a wound that’s starting to thicken, sooner tends to lead to better outcomes than waiting until it’s large and well established. If you’re noticing unusual scar growth, it’s a good time to come in.
A realistic plan for keloids.
Combination keloid treatment, injections, cryotherapy, laser, and surgical options, under a double board-certified dermatologist. Troy, MO, and Chesterfield now open.