1 (833) 453-5643Keloids are a type of hypertrophic scar that forms when the body overproduces collagen in response to an injury or trauma. They are characterized by raised, reddish-purple scars that can be itchy and painful. While keloid removal with surgery is often the most effective way to treat keloids, there is a risk of recurrence after this permanent keloid removal procedure due to the complex network of blood vessels that feed them.
But if you’re asking yourself: How to stop keloids from growing back after surgery? Fortunately, there are methods you can use to reduce the chances of a keloid growing back again. With a better understanding of the history of keloids and their causes, as well as preventative measures such as silicone gel sheeting and steroid injections, you can help ensure your keloid stays gone for good.
Why Do Keloids Grow Back After Removal?
- Keloids grow back because the body’s healing response remains overly aggressive, even after the scar is removed.
- Any new skin injury—including surgery—can trigger the same excessive collagen production that caused the original keloid.
- The body mistakenly interprets the wound as needing extra reinforcement, leading to thick, raised scar tissue.
- People who develop keloids often have a genetic predisposition that makes recurrence more likely.
- Removing a keloid alone does not change how the body heals, which is why additional preventive treatments are usually necessary.
Techniques to Prevent Keloid Resurgence After Surgical Removal
Understanding why keloids return is only half the battle—the real power lies in knowing how to prevent them from happening again. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there are evidence-based strategies that significantly lower the chances of recurrence when done right. Avoiding tattoos and piercings, as well as getting early acne treatment, can help, but there are many other ways to achieve this. Here’s what you need to know to give your skin the best possible shot at healing—without a keloid making an unwanted comeback.
1. Avoid picking at the keloid scars
One of the most important things you can do after keloid removal is to keep your hands off the area. Picking, scratching, or rubbing the skin can cause irritation and inflammation, which may trigger the body to produce excess scar tissue again. Letting the area heal undisturbed gives your skin the best chance to recover smoothly.
It’s also important to avoid direct trauma to the surgical site. Even minor bumps or repeated friction can worsen redness and increase the risk of regrowth. If you’re considering body piercings—especially ear piercings—use caution, as piercings can trigger keloids in prone individuals. Proper aftercare and avoiding unnecessary piercings can help reduce this risk.
2. Sun protection
Excessive UV exposure can increase the risk of keloids forming or growing back after surgery. Protecting healing skin with broad-spectrum sunscreen, protective clothing, or a hat helps reduce irritation and discoloration. When possible, keep surgical scars out of direct sunlight, especially on commonly exposed areas like the face, neck, and arms. Carrying an umbrella during peak sun hours and minimizing prolonged exposure can further support healthy healing.
Individuals with darker skin tones and those who develop larger keloids may be more prone to recurrence due to increased melanin production and a stronger scarring response. For this reason, extra sun protection is especially important for different skin types. Taking consistent precautions can help reduce hyperpigmentation and lower the chances of keloid regrowth.
3. Eat Healthily
A healthy diet will help ensure your body can defend itself against new infections or inflammation that may lead to keloids forming or growing back again. Eating nutritionally balanced meals filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help support your immune system and maintain healthy skin.
Having a healthy diet is also important for maintaining healthy skin and reducing the risk of keloids forming or growing back again. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C, and E can help support collagen production and promote healthy fibrous tissue growth. Foods high in zinc can help reduce inflammation, which can be a contributing factor to keloid formation.
4. Use gentle products on your skin
Healing skin is sensitive, so stick with gentle, fragrance-free products that won’t irritate the area. Ingredients like aloe and chamomile can help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation during recovery.
Avoid scrubbing, harsh exfoliants, or picking at the scar, as this can trigger additional trauma and increase the risk of regrowth. Treating the area gently gives your skin the best chance to heal evenly.
5. Stress Relief
When undergoing intensive physical or emotional stress, your body’s natural healing process may be hindered by cortisol released into your system, causing an unfavorable hormonal balance in the body and potentially promoting scarring as well as other inflammatory conditions in the skin tissues associated with keloid growth reoccurrence.
Take care of yourself first each day by limiting stress levels through relaxation techniques like yoga, deep breathing exercises, or mindful meditation practices for improved stress management, both emotionally and physically, for better scar management.
6. Vaccinations
Staying up to date on recommended vaccinations helps protect your body from infections that can trigger inflammation and interfere with normal wound healing. While vaccines don’t directly prevent keloids, reducing your risk of illness supports a healthier immune response, which may lower the chances of abnormal scarring.
It’s also important to have a treatment plan in place and monitor healing closely. If you notice signs of redness, swelling, or irritation, contact your provider right away. Your doctor may recommend treatment options such as steroid injections or silicone gel sheets to help control existing keloids, along with regular follow-ups to adjust your care as needed.
7. Keep Surgery Sites Clean
Keeping surgical sites clean is one of the most important steps in preventing keloid recurrence. Clean wounds are less likely to become infected or inflamed, which reduces abnormal scar formation.
Follow your provider’s wound-care instructions carefully and watch for signs of redness, swelling, or drainage so issues can be addressed early.
8. Seek Treatment Immediately
The best way to prevent a keloid from growing back is to seek treatment as soon as you notice changes in a scar. Early care makes a big difference, and working with a provider who has experience treating keloids gives you access to the most effective prevention strategies.
If a keloid has already formed, several medical options can help reduce its size and improve its appearance, including laser therapy, corticosteroid injections, liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy), silicone sheets, pressure therapy, and superficial radiation therapy. For more severe cases, surgical removal may be recommended, usually combined with other treatments to lower the risk of recurrence.
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What Should I Do if a Keloid Grows Back After Surgery?
If a keloid scar reappears after surgical removal, do not be discouraged. There are different medical treatments available that can effectively manage and reduce the appearance of keloids. Below are some types of treatments you may consider discussing with your healthcare provider to find the most suitable approach for your situation.
Corticosteroid injections
Corticosteroid injections are a common non-surgical treatment for keloids. This method involves injecting corticosteroids directly into the keloid tissue to reduce inflammation and inhibit collagen production, which contributes to keloid formation. Typically administered over several sessions, these injections can help flatten the keloid and diminish redness, making the scar less noticeable.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that removes the top layers of skin using a specialized instrument. By exfoliating the skin, dermabrasion can smooth out the raised areas of a keloid, blending it more seamlessly with the surrounding skin. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia and may require a recovery period during which the skin heals and regenerates.
Laser treatments
Laser therapy utilizes concentrated light energy to target and reduce keloid scars. Different types of lasers can address various aspects of keloids, such as reducing redness (vascular lasers) or flattening raised tissue (ablative lasers). The procedure is minimally invasive and generally well-tolerated, with most patients experiencing only mild discomfort. Multiple sessions are often required to achieve the desired results. Laser treatments can be particularly effective for keloids that have not responded to other therapies.
Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy involves the application of low-dose radiation to the keloid area to inhibit cell proliferation and prevent a recurrence. Often used immediately after surgery, radiotherapy aims to reduce the likelihood of the keloid returning. This non-invasive treatment is typically administered over several sessions and is targeted specifically to minimize exposure to surrounding tissues.
Topical treatments
Topical treatments for keloids include creams, gels, and silicone sheets applied directly to the scar. Silicone gel sheets are particularly popular due to their ability to hydrate the scar tissue, which can soften and flatten keloids over time. These treatments are non-invasive and can often be used alongside other therapies to enhance results. Consistent application over an extended period is typically necessary to see improvement.
While generally safe with minimal side effects, the effectiveness of these cosmetic treatments can vary from person to person. Consulting with an expert physician or dermatologist will help you choose the most appropriate topical option for your keloid management.
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Permanent Keloid Removal: Is It Possible?
Keloid scar removal is often permanent, but there is a risk of recurrence because keloids form from an overactive healing response. Many patients achieve long-lasting or permanent improvement, especially when treatment is properly planned and closely managed.
Surgery alone carries a higher chance of regrowth, which is why the best results come from combination therapy. Pairing surgical removal with post-operative treatments such as steroid injections, silicone therapy, pressure therapy, and sometimes superficial radiation significantly lowers the risk of reappearance and helps keep scars flat and stable for years.
When to See a Doctor for Keloid Growth
If a scar becomes raised, thick, itchy, painful, or continues to grow, it’s time to see a healthcare professional. Early evaluation is especially important if you have a history of keloids, since prompt treatment can prevent a small scar from becoming more difficult to manage.
A specialist can determine whether a scar is a keloid, assess your risk of recurrence, and recommend the most effective treatment plan for long-term control.
Why Choose The Keloid Plastic Surgery Center for Keloid Scar Treatment
Keloid-prone skin requires more than standard scar care—it requires experience, precision, and a comprehensive treatment approach. At The Keloid Plastic Surgery Center, board-certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons Dr. Roberto Mendez and Dr. Gabriel Salloum specialize exclusively in keloid management, treating everything from small, stubborn scars to complex post-surgical keloids.
Our practice is among the few in the U.S. utilizing advanced XRT technology alongside surgical and non-surgical therapies to reduce recurrence and improve long-term outcomes. To schedule your consultation, call 833-453-5643 or visit our contact page today.