Why do some scars become raised or form keloids?

Scarring is part of the skin's natural healing process, but sometimes the body produces too much collagen during repair. When this happens, the scar can become thickened. Keloids are an exaggerated form of this response, in which the scar continues to grow beyond the original wound. Treatment focuses on calming this overactive healing response.

Are keloids the same as hypertrophic scars?

Although they look similar, keloids and hypertrophic scars behave differently. Hypertrophic scars remain within the boundaries of the original wound and may improve over time. Keloids, on the other hand, extend beyond the original injury and can continue to grow if untreated. Because of this, keloids often require more aggressive treatment strategies, such as steroid injections and lasers, to regulate the abnormal collagen production that drives the scar's growth.

Can surgical scars be improved after they have healed?

Yes, even mature surgical scars can often be improved. Although the scar itself cannot be completely erased, treatments can remodel collagen in the tissue and improve the skin's texture and colour. Procedures such as microneedling, radiofrequency microneedling, laser treatments, and regenerative therapies stimulate controlled healing responses that help soften the scar.

Will scar treatments change the colour of the scar?

Many scars develop redness or darker pigmentation during healing. Lasers can target these colour changes. Vascular lasers reduce redness by treating the blood vessels within the scar, while other lasers help break down excess pigment and encourage skin regeneration.

Scars and Keloids

Improve the appearance of surgical and traumatic scars by addressing the changes that occur during healing. You may notice raised keloids, thickened tissue, redness, pigmentation changes, or uneven texture. Dr Bhavin Garara takes an anatomy-led approach, combining treatments such as steroid injections, Vascular or Pico lasers, and regenerative therapies to restore smoother skin.

What are scars and keloids?

Refine skin after injury or surgery

Scars form when the skin repairs itself after injury, surgery, burns, or inflammation. During healing, the body produces collagen to close the wound, but this can create thickened, uneven, or depressed tissue. Keloids are a more aggressive form of scarring in which excess collagen causes the scar to grow beyond the original wound, often appearing raised and discoloured. Dr Garara evaluates the type, behaviour, and underlying biology of each scar before designing a personalised plan that may include injections, lasers, and collagen-stimulating procedures.

Conditions

Signs and symptoms of Scars and Keloids

Raised, thickened areas of skin at the site of injuryFirm or rubbery scar tissue that extends beyond the original woundPersistent redness within a healing scarDarkened or uneven pigmentation around the scarItching or tenderness within the scar tissueSmooth, shiny, or stretched skin over the scarDepressed or uneven skin texture following trauma or surgeryGradual enlargement of a raised scar over time

Quick Overview

Treatment at a Glance

Key facts about this procedure to help you understand what to expect before, during, and after your treatment.

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Treatment time

20 - 60 minutes

Recovery time

Varies by treatment type

Anaesthesia

Local anaesthetic for injections

Results duration

Progressive improvement over months

Discomfort level

Mild to moderate

Aftercare

Pressure garments may be advised. Avoid sun on treated areas

Benefits of Treatments

The Real Benefits of Choosing Our Cosmetic Solutions

Reduction in raised or thickened scar tissue

Gradual flattening of keloid scars

Improvement in redness and inflammation

Correction of pigmentation changes within scar tissue

Smoother, more even skin texture

Regulation of abnormal collagen production

Improved flexibility and comfort in scarred skin

Combination therapies tailored to the scar type

Progressive improvement in overall skin appearance

Support for healthier long-term skin healing

Your surgical scar and keloids treatment with Dr Garara

Keloid treatments: Keloids develop when the body produces excessive collagen during wound healing. Treatment focuses on calming this overactive healing response. Keloid treatments often include steroid injections placed directly into the keloid to suppress excess collagen production, vascular lasers to reduce blood flow and redness, and pico lasers to break down excess pigment.

Surgical scar treatments: Surgical and traumatic scars develop when injury disrupts the skin's normal collagen structure. Treatment focuses on rebuilding healthier collagen architecture. This may include subcision to release fibrous bands, microneedling to stimulate collagen production, RF microneedling (Sylfirm X) for deeper remodelling, and fractional laser resurfacing.

Regenerative therapies: Regenerative treatments like PRP and polynucleotides support the skin's natural repair processes. PRP delivers growth factors derived from your own blood, while polynucleotides help improve cellular repair and reduce inflammation.