Keloid & Hypertrophic Scar Treatment
We offer safe, evidence-based, plastic surgeon-led treatments for keloid and hypertrophic scars, helping to manage discomfort, itch and cosmetic concerns.
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process, but sometimes the body produces too much collagen, in a very haphazard and uncontrolled manner, resulting in raised or abnormal scars.
Whether your scar formed after surgery, trauma, acne or a piercing, our tailored treatment plans are designed to soften, flatten and relieve symptoms, while supporting optimal skin health.
Hypertrophic scars remain confined to the original wound site but appear thick, firm, red and elevated. Although they can take a long time to settle, hypertrophic scars do eventually respond and improve with treatments over time.
Keloid scars on the other hand grow uncontrollably, and far beyond the boundaries of the original injury, sometimes enlarging dramatically over time. The initial skin injury could be something small like a piercing, vaccination jab or a bad acne spot, however the scar response then ends up being far larger than the original skin injury.
These abnormal scars may also be painful, itchy, hypersensitive, or tight, particularly if located near a joint or on mobile skin. Redness and persistent inflammation are also common. Sadly, they can also become very unsightly and stigmatising for sufferers.
Scar Massage and Silicone Applications
Although these are often dismissed as being too conservative to be effective, any scar treatment regime should always include these techniques. They are a simple means of supporting your scars as they naturally heal and they are a great adjunct to any in-clinic treatment you may receive.
Scar massage or pressure across a scar, as well as the application of silicone (in sheet and/or gel form) are evidenced-based means of improving firmness and sensitivity associated with abnormal scars, and we recommend it to all of our patients, either as a preventative tool for post-surgical scars or as a treatment tool for already-established abnormal scars.
Intralesional steroid injections (steroid injections directly into the lesion/scar) are one of the most established and effective treatments for thick, raised, or symptomatic scars.
A very small amount of steroid is injected directly into the scar using a fine needle, and this can help to:
- Soften and flatten the scar
- Reduce itchiness, pain, and inflammation
- Improve skin colour by reducing redness
- Decrease scar projection and size over time
Treatments are quick, with minimal downtime. You may feel some mild stinging during the injection and slight tenderness or itching for 1-2 days afterward. A small plaster is applied post-treatment and can be removed after a few hours.
For best results, a course of treatments spaced 4-6 weeks apart is often recommended, supported by techniques like silicone sheets and scar massage at home.
In select cases, we may recommend surgical removal of a keloid or hypertrophic scar, particularly if it is:
- Restricting movement
- Recurrently inflamed
- Resistant to other treatments
- Causing significant distress
Following excision, we administer steroid injections during the healing phase to reduce the risk of recurrence. However, it’s important to understand that keloid scars carry a very high recurrence rate, even after surgery, sometimes growing back larger than before.
It is because of this reason, that surgical excision is not a first-line treatment for keloids. It is reserved for carefully selected cases, and we will always explain the risks, alternatives, and expected outcomes clearly during your consultation.
FAQs
Steroid injections:
1-3 scars: £200/ session
4-6 scars: £300/ session
7-9 scars: £400/ session
Surgical excision + Course of 3 Steroid Injections inclusive:
£1000 per scar
£600 per additional scar removed on the same day
Please visit our full Price List for further information.
We understand that our patients can be very busy with their daily lives and therefore it is ideal for most to be able to combine their consultation and treatment during the same visit.
Therefore, although we do offer the option to proceed with treatment on the same day (known as a ‘See and Treat’ appointment), we will only do so if you are certain you would like to proceed and if it is safe to proceed on the same day.
If you would prefer to think through all the treatment options first and make provisions for potential downtime, restrictions in exercise etc, then it is best for us to carry our your consultation first, then plan a separate visit for your treatment.
As an ethical medical clinic, we never want you to feel pressured to undergo treatment on the same day, therefore rest assured that your consultation fee is fully redeemable against your treatment, even if you decide to delay your treatment by several weeks or months.
As we always advise patients in the clinic, never feel rushed to commit to an elective, non-emergency procedure and take all the time you need to make that decision.
As with any medical procedure, risks are discussed during your consultation. While side effects are uncommon, they can include:
- Temporary redness, swelling or tenderness
- Skin thinning (atrophy) or fat loss under the skin
- Hypopigmentation (lightening of the scar)
- Tiny blood vessels becoming visible (telangiectasia)
- Ulceration (rare)
- Scar persistence or recurrence
We carefully assess your scar to ensure this treatment is suitable for you and that the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
“My approach is one of patient empowerment and education, open and honest communication and above all ensuring that patients feel at ease and informed through all stages of their treatment”
Dr JennyBook a treatment
Personalised care, clinical precision and profoundly natural results: Your journey to skin confidence starts here
Message: +44 7476937397
Email: info@drjennyclinic.com
What our patients are saying
Read all testimonials
Surgical Treatments