Keloid Treatment
Keloid Scar Treatment
Relieve Pain & Itching · Improve Appearance · Reduce the Risk of Recurrence
A keloid is more than just a cosmetic concern. It can continue to grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound, causing itching, pain, infection, restricted movement, and significant distress regarding your appearance.
At Genesis Surgery, we provide a range of keloid treatments tailored to the location, size, severity, and condition of each patient’s scar. These options include steroid injections, pressure therapy, intralesional cryotherapy and surgical resection combined with radiotherapy.
Early assessment and appropriate treatment can help control keloid growth, relieve symptoms, and improve the scar’s overall appearance.
Is Your Keloid Causing These Problems?
Keloids may continue to grow for years, and in some cases, even decades.
You may want to seek medical advice if your scar is:
- Becoming larger or extending beyond the original wound;
- Raised, hard, or increasingly noticeable;
- Painful or persistently itchy;
- Becoming red, inflamed, or infected;
- Affecting your appearance and confidence;
- Located around a joint and restricting your movement;
- Reappearing after a previous treatment or surgery.
Keloids do not normally disappear on their own. Early assessment allows the condition to be managed before it becomes larger or more difficult to treat.
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What Is a Keloid?
Keloids are a type of raised scar caused by excessive proliferation of fibroblasts during the body’s natural wound-healing process. Unlike an ordinary scar, a keloid can grow excessively and extend well beyond the borders of the original wound.
Although keloids are primarily benign, they can cause considerable physical discomfort, psychological pressure, and daily inconvenience. Symptoms and issues may include:
- Pain;
- Itching;
- Infection;
- Redness and swelling;
- Restricted movement;
- Cosmetic concerns;
- Psychological and social distress.
Physical discomfort may become more noticeable during hot weather or physical activity. Furthermore, if a keloid develops around a joint, it may actively restrict your range of motion. Many patients also experience emotional distress due to the appearance or persistent symptoms of their scars.
What Causes Keloids?
Keloid formation occurs when the body’s normal wound-healing process becomes overactive. Various types of skin injuries can trigger their development, including:
- Acne scars;
- Ear piercings;
- Vaccination sites;
- Surgical incision sites;
- Caesarean section wounds;
- Burns or other skin injuries.
Some individuals are naturally more susceptible to keloid formation than others.
Genetics appears to play a significant role in keloid predisposition, and susceptibility can also vary among different ethnic groups.
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Where Do Keloids Commonly Develop?
Keloids can occur on almost any part of the body, but they are particularly common on the:
- Chest;
- Back;
- Cheeks;
- Earlobes;
- Shoulders;
- Upper arms.
Their growth pattern can also vary depending on their specific location.
Lateral growth: commonly seen on the chest and back.
Vertical growth: commonly seen on the shoulders and upper arms.
Because keloids may continue growing for years, early assessment is highly recommended if you notice the scar becoming progressively larger.
Keloid Treatment Options
There is no single treatment that is suitable for every keloid. The most appropriate medical strategy depends on factors including location, size, severity, symptoms, previous treatments, the patient’s general health, cosmetic expectations, and the risk of recurrence. Genesis Surgery provides a comprehensive range of treatment options, and a combination of treatments may be recommended for complex or recurrent keloids.
1. Pressure Therapy
Pressure therapy involves applying continuous pressure to the keloid using devices such as pressure earrings or compression garments.
The pressure reduces blood flow to the scar and may help prevent further growth.
It is particularly useful for hypertrophic scars or early-stage keloids, and is often utilised following surgery or cryotherapy to help minimise the risk of recurrence.
2. Steroid Injection
Steroid injections are a primary treatment for early-stage keloids.
When administered regularly — commonly around once a month, depending on the patient’s condition — steroid injections can help:
- Relieve pain;
- Reduce itching;
- Soften the scar tissue;
- Control ongoing scar growth.
Possible side effects include minor bruising and a thinning of the skin around the injection site, though these are generally mild and temporary.
Estimated fee: HKD 1,000–3,000 per injection
3. Intralesional Cryotherapy (Freezing from the Inside)
Intralesional cryotherapy is an advanced treatment that uses a specially designed needle inserted through the core of the keloid.
Liquid nitrogen at approximately −196°C is delivered through the needle, freezing the scar tissue from the inside out.
Compared to conventional spray cryotherapy, this targeted technique allows a larger volume inside the keloid to be frozen. Common side effects may include post-treatment pain and temporary depigmentation of the skin.
The procedure is normally performed under local anaesthesia at a day procedure centre and takes roughly 10–45 minutes, depending on the keloid’s size and location.
Estimated fee: HKD 10,000–20,000, depending on keloid size
4. Surgical Resection + Radiotherapy
For larger, more severe, or recurrent keloids, surgical resection is often combined with radiotherapy such as Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT).
Surgery removes the existing keloid mass, while radiotherapy is administered post-surgery to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and significantly lower the risk of recurrence.
Step 1 — Surgical Resection
The keloid is surgically removed under local anaesthesia at a day procedure centre. Approximate procedure time: 30–60 minutes
Step 2 — Radiotherapy
Radiotherapy begins shortly after the surgery, generally within 24 hours. A standard treatment course usually requires brief sessions over several consecutive days at a specialised radiotherapy centre.
Estimated Fees
Surgical resection: HKD 20,000–30,000, depending on keloid size
Radiotherapy: From HKD 30,000 for a standard treatment course
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Keloid Treatment Cost Comparison
| Treatment | Estimated Fee | Typical Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Steroid Injection | HKD 1,000–3,000 per treatment | Usually repeated periodically depending on the condition |
| Laser Treatment | HKD 2,000–5,000 | Often requires more than one treatment session |
| Intralesional Cryotherapy | HKD 10,000–20,000 | Depends heavily on keloid size |
| Surgical Resection | HKD 20,000–30,000 | Depends heavily on keloid size |
| Radiotherapy | From HKD 30,000 | Usually combined with another treatment, such as surgery |
Note: Actual treatment costs depend on the size, location, severity, and the specific treatment plan recommended by your doctor.
Three Ways to Better Manage Your Keloid Treatment
1. Seek Treatment Early
Keloids may continue to grow over time. When treatment begins earlier, the condition may be less complicated to manage, and overall treatment costs may be easier to control.
2. Maintain Close Follow-Up
Keloids carry a recognised risk of recurrence. Therefore, treatment should not necessarily end when the initial procedure itself is completed. Close monitoring allows the medical team to identify early signs of recurrence and intervene promptly when necessary.
3. Check Your Medical Insurance
Keloid treatment is not always considered purely cosmetic. Depending on the patient’s specific condition and their insurance policy, medically necessary treatment may potentially be covered by medical insurance.
Because coverage varies considerably, patients should check directly with their insurer or insurance adviser prior to treatment.
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Combination Treatment May Help Reduce Recurrence
Keloids are complex scars, and their treatment frequently requires a multi-modal approach. While smaller cases may be managed with steroid injections or pressure therapy, more severe cases may require a combination of cryotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, and diligent follow-up care. The objective is not simply to remove the visible scar, but to prioritise symptom relief, scar appearance, future growth prevention, and long-term monitoring.
Real Keloid Treatment Cases
See the Difference Before and After Treatment
Real treatment cases can help patients better understand the potential results of different treatment approaches.
Case 1 — Intralesional Cryotherapy
Case 2 — Surgical Resection + Radiotherapy
Case 3 — Recurrent Earlobe Keloid
* Actual treatment outcomes vary between individuals. Images are provided for reference only.
To view more patient cases similar to yours,
please reach out to our clinical team.
- All content on this website is provided for informational or educational purposes only. If you have questions about your condition or treatment, please consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional.
Other reference materials
- Keloid scars (United Kingdom National Health Service):
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/keloid-scars/ - Keloids: Diagnosis and Treatment (American Academy of Dermatology Association):
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/keloids-treatment - Keloids (Harvard Health Publishing):
https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/keloids-a-to-z - Management of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars (American Academy of Family Physicians):
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0801/p253.html - Keloids: A Review of Etiology, Prevention, and Treatment (National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine):
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158916/
Why Choose Genesis Surgery?
Multiple Treatment Options
We tailor plans using pressure therapy, steroid injections, intralesional cryotherapy, laser treatment, surgical resection, radiotherapy, or combination therapies.
Extensive Experience in Keloid Treatment
Genesis Surgery has accumulated extensive experience in treating keloids, with our medical team regularly engaging in professional and academic exchanges to introduce new management approaches.
Comprehensive Patient Care
We utilise approaches to reduce patient anxiety and discomfort during treatment, including music, VR goggles, vibration devices, and cooling devices.
Professional Follow-Up
To mitigate recurrence risks, we provide professional follow-up and maintain open communication regarding pre-treatment instructions, post-treatment wound care, and recovery monitoring.
Transparent Pricing
Treatment costs are explained clearly without hidden charges, allowing patients to understand expected costs before proceeding.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Keloids generally do not disappear on their own and may continue to grow over time. Symptoms such as redness, pain, and itching may also become more pronounced. Early medical assessment is strongly recommended if the scar is enlarging or causing symptoms.
While cosmetics may temporarily make a keloid less noticeable, they do not treat the underlying scar tissue. If the keloid is growing, becoming symptomatic, or causing distress, medical assessment is more appropriate than simply concealing it.
Appropriate treatment depends on location, size, severity, symptoms, general health, previous treatments, budget, and treatment expectations. A doctor will assess these factors before recommending a personalized treatment plan.
Most keloid treatments can be safely performed at a day procedure centre without the need for hospitalisation. If surgical resection is combined with radiotherapy, patients generally attend a radiotherapy centre on consecutive days following surgery. Hospitalisation is normally unnecessary unless unusual complications require closer observation.
Treatment can help flatten, soften, and lighten the scar while relieving symptoms and reducing the risk of further deterioration. However, even after successful treatment, the treated skin may not look or feel exactly the same as unaffected, healthy skin. Actual results vary based on the patient’s individual condition and adherence to follow-up care.
Yes. Keloids have a well-recognised risk of recurrence, which is why selecting the appropriate treatment and committing to close follow-up is critical.
Patients should not assume that recurrence means the keloid cannot be treated. Earlier intervention, appropriate combination therapies, and ongoing monitoring form a successful long-term management strategy.