We are leaders in cosmetic surgery, facial aesthetics, and medically supervised weight loss, serving the entire San Francisco Bay area. Whether you live in the Bay Area or are coming in from out of town, we’re happy to answer any questions you may have on your path to your new self. Book your cosmetic surgery intro call or Med Spa consultation today and take the first step towards realizing the look you’ve always wanted for yourself.
Best Keloid Removal Advice for African American Skin?
Keloids can be very resistant to treatment. Treatment options can involve any of the following (and also involve combinations of therapies listed below). 1. Steroid treatment - this usually requires multiple treatments. If the keloid is large enough this can leave excess skin after successful treatment. Steroid treatment can cause tissue atrophy and for african american skin or other darker skin types can also cause hypopigmentation - meaning the skin may be lighter in the treated area. 2. Excision - While the mechanism for steroid formation is not fully understood wounds that have issues with contamination or infection may be at higher risk for keloid formation. Excising the keloid with a meticulous closure can effectively treat even keloids that have recurred. 3. Radiation - For extremely resistant or disfiguring keloids radiation therapy can be an effective mechanism to reduce recurrency rates in combination with surgical excision.
Clinical Context
Keloids occur more often in African American skin, though the exact biologic reason isn't fully understood. Areas with more skin tension during healing—like the chest, shoulders, and earlobes—tend to scar more aggressively regardless of skin tone. Steroid injections, one common treatment, can sometimes lighten the treated skin, which tends to be more visible in darker complexions. This is a known side effect of treatment, not a sign it isn't working.
