Scars are unpleasant enough as is, but keloids take it to the next level. While they aren’t harmful to your health, they can be a source of insecurity about the way you look. Here’s what the best keloid doctor in Marietta, Georgia wants you to know about keloids and keloid removal in this Q and A!
Q: What Is a Keloid?
A: A keloid is a type of scar that is raised and thick. Signs of a keloid include irregular scarring, lumpy, shiny, and/or raised skin, itchiness, brown, purplish, or reddish in color, varied sizes and textures, and general discomfort.
You may only have one symptom, or you may have them all. Keloids can form in any injured area, but they tend to affect the cheeks, chest, earlobes, or shoulders the most.
Q: What Causes Keloid Growth?
It’s not exactly proven what causes keloid growth, but many experts agree it’s a result of improper or dysfunctional wound healing that causes this abnormal type of scarring. Additionally, the overproduction of collagen, which is otherwise important for healing, can cause keloids to form. Piercings and tattoos have been known to cause keloids.
Q: How Are Keloids Diagnosed and Removed?
Keloids are easily diagnosed during a simple visual exam, typically by a dermatologist. Removal can be achieved in various ways. Treatment options include corticosteroid injections, freezing the scar with cryotherapy, laser therapies, silicone gel sheets to flatten the scar, surgical removal, and topical steroids.
Q: Is Keloid Removal Painful?
Keloid removal isn’t painful. Many dermatologists offer an anesthetic, be it topical or local, to minimize your pain and overall discomfort. This doesn’t mean you won’t feel anything, however. For example, you might feel an intense cold if you opt for removal via cryotherapy.
Q: What Is Recovery Like After Removal?
This depends on the procedure you and your dermatologist agree upon for removal. Generally, recovery is easy and follows the same process of skin healing: flattening into a newer, significantly smaller, and less noticeable scar.
Q: How Do I Prevent Future Keloids?
The only way to truly reduce the risk of developing future keloids is by avoiding injuries, tattoos, and piercings. While the latter two are avoidable, injuries aren’t always, so just be sure to be careful and avoid known risks whenever possible.
In order to prevent the original keloid from returning, wearing pressure dressings to keep the scar flat in combination with steroid injections can help prevent your keloid from developing once again.
Q: How Much Does Keloid Removal Cost?
It depends on the treatment you use for keloid removal, alongside the size and severity of your keloid. If you’re removing multiple keloids, you can expect that to increase the overall price. Price can range anywhere from $75 to $2,000 or more.
Steroid injections are one of the less costly options, with a price tag typically between $75 and $250 each, though multiple injections are typically necessary. Keloid removal surgery is the most costly, starting at $500 for small keloids and reaching well over $2,000 for larger or more complex keloids.
Consult with your dermatologist to determine which keloid removal method would be right for you and how much it’ll cost.
Still Have Questions or Want to Book a Consultation for More Answers? The Best Keloid Doctor in Marietta, Georgia Is Here to Help!
Choose Acworth Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center to meet with the best keloid doctor in Marietta, Georgia, Dr. Johnathan Langstan Chappell. We aim to maintain a positive, honest environment and ensure patient safety and satisfaction for the best outcome possible.
Call us today at 678-505-8030 to book your consultation with our expert keloid doctor to learn more about keloids, their removal, cost, and so much more!