KELOIDS: HOW TO PREVENT THESE RAISED SCARS

If you have (or had) a keloid, you have a higher risk of getting another one. You also have a higher risk if one (or more) of your parents, siblings, or children has (had) a keloid.

The good news is that there are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting a full-blown keloid. Below you’ll find four common causes of keloids and what you can do to prevent each from causing a keloid.

Ear piercing: Pay close attention to your ears after getting a new piercing. If you notice the skin on an earlobe start to thicken, you may be able to prevent a keloid if you act quickly. At the first sign of thickening, immediately remove the earring and start wearing a pressure earring instead.
To get the best results, you’ll need to wear the pressure earring for at least 12 (and preferably 20) hours a day for 4 to 6 months. You’ll find pressure earrings available online.
Because you cannot wear another earring under a pressure earring, your pierced hole will likely close if it’s new. Dermatologists caution against getting your ears pierced again. You’ll likely develop another keloid.
Tattoo, body piercing, or cosmetic surgery: Try a test spot first. You can see how your skin will heal by getting a small amount of work done in a test area first. If the skin in the test area starts to thicken, you’ll know that the work could cause a keloid.
Wearing a pressure garment can prevent thickening skin from turning into a keloid. To be effective, you need to start wearing it as soon as you notice thickening skin. A dermatologist can fit you with a pressure garment. Other treatment may also help.
Surgery: If you have (or had) a keloid, tell your surgeon before the surgery. There may be a technique that your surgeon can use to reduce the likelihood that you’ll develop a keloid after surgery.

If you notice the surgical scar thickening, starting keloid treatment immediately may help prevent a keloid. A dermatologist can create a keloid treatment plan for you.
Injured skin: Follow these wound-care tips. The right wound care can reduce your risk of developing a keloid after you injure your skin.