Are you suffering from keloids? Our keloid removal clinic in London is run by expert dermatologists with decades of experience in managing the condition. Scars and keloids on the skin can be unsightly and cause discomfort in various ways. Problematic scars can occur anywhere on the body as a result of trauma to the skin. A number of treatment options are available to help reduce their appearance. These options include topical treatments, injections into the scar, laser therapy, and scar revision surgery. If you are looking to get relief from keloids and excessive scarring, get in touch with our dermatology clinic in London to see how we can help you.
A keloid is an excessive production of scar tissue that can result from a cut, burn, surgery, scratch, acne, or body piercing. A keloid scar grows larger than the original wound itself and can develop even without obvious damage to the skin. Keloids occur when collagen (a structural protein in the skin) overgrows and produces a lump much bigger than the wound. Keloids differ from hypertrophic scars as they spread beyond the area of the wound. They are often shiny, reddish in colour, hairless, firm, and rubbery to the touch. While mostly painless, keloids can sometimes be itchy or painful. It can take up to a month for a keloid scar to appear, and they can continue growing for months or even years. Keloid scars affect about 10-15% of all wounds. For expert keloid removal in London, consult our dermatology clinic, which specialises in treating these types of scars.
It is not fully understood why these types of scars occur, but they form due to an overproduction of collagen. These exaggerated scars are most likely to occur between the ages of 10 and 30, usually when wounds are under pressure or get infected. They can affect anyone but are more common in darker skin types and certain areas of the body. The most commonly affected parts of the body are the upper chest, shoulders, and earlobes (often due to pierced ears). Other commonly affected areas include the lower legs, chin, and neck. In people with darker skin, keloids also often appear in the beard area—a condition known as pseudofolliculitis barbae, which is worsened by shaving and irritating the skin above ingrown hairs. This can be particularly distressing for men and women who feel the need to shave daily. Keloids can develop or even become larger during pregnancy. The tendency to scar in this way can run in families. Keloids often occur following chickenpox, scratches, acne, vaccination injections, burns, surgical incisions, and traumatic wounds.
With scars and keloids, prevention is definitely better than cure. It might not be possible to avoid keloid scars developing, but you can reduce your chances of getting them by avoiding deliberate breaking of the skin, such as with tattoos and piercings. Early treatment is the best way to prevent this type of scar from growing bigger and becoming more unsightly. If you suffer from acne, treating the acne itself will reduce the chances of acne scarring and the development of keloids.
Other measures for lessening the incidence of problematic scars include exfoliating and moisturising skin where ingrown hairs are common, laser hair removal, and taking care of the skin following an injury. When scars or keloids occur, a skin specialist can advise you on the best treatment for your problem. Our dermatology clinic in London offers several options for both keloid scar reduction and keloid removal.
A variety of topical treatments are available for managing keloid scars, but only a few have proven effectiveness. It's crucial to discuss your treatment options with your dermatologist before starting a new regimen. As part of our keloid treatment in London, our dermatologists may prescribe a strong steroid cream or steroid-containing tape, which can be effective in reducing the appearance of early scars. Additionally, silicone dressings or gels are options that work to soften and flatten keloid scars. These silicone products can be purchased from a pharmacist without a prescription. By consulting with our experienced dermatologists, you can ensure that you are using the most effective treatments tailored to your specific needs. In many cases, other forms of treatment may be more effective for comprehensive keloid removal.
Cryotherapy is an effective method for keloid removal, particularly when performed by a skilled dermatologist. In this treatment, liquid nitrogen is applied to the keloid scar for a few seconds to freeze the tissue. This process helps to diminish the growth of small keloids. Cryotherapy is a beneficial keloid treatment, especially when started early. Multiple sessions may be required to achieve the best results, as repeated freezing can more effectively reduce the size and appearance of the keloid. This treatment is most effective when keloids are small and in the early stages of development. Consulting with an experienced dermatologist at our keloid removal clinic in London will ensure that the procedure is tailored to your specific needs, maximising the effectiveness of your keloid treatment.
A course of steroid injections is the most common keloid scar treatment in the UK. Steroids prevent cells called fibroblasts from producing collagen, while also weakening the scar and encouraging it to flatten. Steroid injections can also reduce any itchiness and tenderness present. Despite the positive effects of steroids on keloids, it can be difficult to inject them since these scars are very firm in texture. Additionally, progress can be slow, with scars often recurring within five years. Fortunately, absorption in keloids is poor, so only a very small amount of steroid enters the systemic circulation. If you and your dermatologist agree on a course of steroid injections, you will visit the keloid treatment clinic several times, usually waiting between four to eight weeks between injections. Other types of injection therapy include 5-fluorouracil and bleomycin.
Laser treatment has proven to be highly successful in the management and removal of keloid scars. This advanced treatment precisely targets the keloid tissue with laser energy, significantly diminishing its appearance. The laser can effectively flatten the scar and help it blend with the colour of the surrounding skin, leading to a more natural look. Various types of lasers are employed for keloid treatment, each with specific benefits. Colour lasers, such as the KTP laser and the pulse dye laser, are particularly effective. The KTP laser targets blood vessels within the keloid, reducing redness and size, while the pulse dye laser delivers energy to the keloid to break down the excess tissue. Additionally, these lasers can soften the keloid, making it more amenable to subsequent treatments, such as steroid injections.
By using lasers, dermatologists can prepare the keloid for further reduction, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the treatment plan. Laser treatment for keloid removal is typically performed in multiple sessions to achieve the best results. Each session builds upon the previous one, progressively improving the appearance and texture of the keloid. If you are seeking keloid removal in London, consulting with an experienced dermatologist at our keloid clinic can provide you with a personalised treatment plan. Our specialists utilise the latest laser technologies to ensure the most effective and minimally invasive keloid treatment, tailored to your specific needs.
Keloid removal surgery is an effective treatment for keloids, especially in cases where other less invasive treatments have not yielded the desired results. For keloid removal in London, our clinic offers a comprehensive approach that often combines surgical excision with other treatments to maximise effectiveness. After surgically removing the keloid or hypertrophic scar, additional therapies such as steroid injections or silicone gel sheeting are typically used to prevent recurrence and improve the final outcome. Steroid injections can help flatten the new scar and reduce inflammation, while silicone gel sheeting can keep the scar hydrated and minimise its formation.
Our experienced dermatologists will assess your specific condition and determine the best approach for your keloid removal. They will discuss all available options with you, including potential risks and benefits, to ensure you have a clear understanding of the procedure and its expected results. If you are considering keloid removal surgery, consult with our expert dermatologists to develop a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our keloid removal clinic in London is dedicated to providing the highest level of care and the most effective treatments for keloid and scar management.
As all keloid scars are different and come in many shapes, variations, and sizes, your treatment plan will depend on the type of scar you have as well as its location on the body. During your first consultation, your dermatologist will examine your keloid scar and first confirm that this is the correct diagnosis. They will ask you what caused the scar, when it occurred, and any treatments you have tried in the past. Depending on the severity of the scar and the steps you have already taken, your dermatologist may suggest topical creams or cryotherapy as a first step. It may be a case of trying out a few different things to see what works best for reducing your scar.
We will be honest with you about our expectations in terms of eliminating your scar, as this may not be possible, but we aim to give you the best result we can. Keloid scar revision surgery is normally a last resort or used in cases where the keloid scar is large and has been there for many years. The decision of whether to do this will depend on the location of the scar on the body and the effect it is having on your life. We can offer you our best advice and professional opinion, but you may wish to choose the option which is best for you. Your dermatologist will discuss all the options with you, as well as any side effects, risks, or aftercare associated with each treatment plan. If you require an expert opinion, get in touch with our keloid removal clinic in London today to book your consultation.
Our keloid removal clinic is situated at 69 Wimpole Street, close to London’s Harley Street. If you are travelling by underground, it’s just a seven-minute walk from Bond Street Station to our clinic. For those driving, ample street parking is available. Wheelchair access is also provided at our dermatology clinic should you require it.
Monday - Friday: 9.00 AM - 5.30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
69 Wimpole Street,
London W1G 8AS.
To schedule a consultation, please complete the contact form, and we will respond promptly. Our expert dermatologists are dedicated to providing optimal, personalised keloid treatment in London and will do their very best to help you.
