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Keloid Removal in Houston, TX

Sometimes, the body is too good at healing itself – which is the case with keloid scars. The excessive overgrowth of scar tissue can be embarrassing, but you don’t have to continue living with it. Premier Plastic Surgery performs keloid scar treatment for residents in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson and the surrounding areas of South Houston.

What is Keloid Scar Treatment?

Sometimes, the body is too good at healing itself – which is the case with keloid scars. The excessive overgrowth of scar tissue can be embarrassing, but you don’t have to continue living with it. Dr. Hankins and his team at Premier Plastic Surgery are experts in treating and removing keloid scars for anyone looking to reduce the appearance of a scar. Keloid scars are distinct from other types of scars due to their invasive nature into adjacent normal tissue, causing them to progressively increase in size. This characteristic sets them apart from regular scars. Keloids often result in large, unsightly scars that can be bothersome and problematic for the affected individuals.

Dr. Hankins offers a unique approach to keloid scar removal that does not involve the use of irradiation, which can have uncertain long-term effects. His protocol focuses on excision and reconstruction, complemented by injections and laser therapy as needed to prevent scar recurrence. Patients seeking keloid scar removal should consider Dr. Hankins’ expertise and approach, as he has successfully treated many individuals, ensuring their satisfaction with the quality of their scars’ appearance post-treatment.

Keloid Scar Before & Afters

Keloid Scar 1

Keloid Scar 2

Keloid Scar 3

View All Before & After Photos >

Benefits of Keloid Removal

Some of the more common benefits of keloid scar treatment include:

  • Flattening, removal, or reduction in the size of the keloid scar
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Reduced pain, itching, or tenderness caused by the keloid scar

What Treatment Options are Available for Keloid Removal?

Keloid scar treatment may be based on the size and type of the keloid scar and the age of the patient, along with a variety of other contributing factors. Keloid scars can be treated with injections of either Kenalog, 5-FU (a chemotherapeutic agent), excision, lasers and irradiation. At Premier Plastic Surgery, our recommended treatment is generally surgical. We enhance the procedure by injecting triamcinolone into the wound at the time of surgery. In selected cases, superficial radiation therapy or SRT can be given within 24 hours after surgery.

Surgical Options for Keloid Removal

Injections are better for scars that are early in their evolution. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of bringing an evolving keloid scar to the attention of your surgeon or medical care provider early in its evolution before it gets too big. It is sometimes possible to abort that process early in its evolution whereas once a thick ropey scar has been established, its treatment becomes much more difficult. If the scar is one that has been determined to be amenable to surgical excision, then we have established a protocol with the use of lasers and injections as necessary to help prevent recurrence of the scar once it has been excised.

Frequently Asked Questions about Keloid Removal

Is keloid removal right for me?

If you’re an adult man or woman for whom a keloid scar is causing you embarrassment, discomfort, or difficulty, you’re likely a good candidate for keloid scar treatment. Keloid scars can come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so regardless of what yours looks like, you can still be a good candidate for keloid removal.

What is a keloid scar? How does it differ from other scars?

The difference between a keloid scar and a regular scar is that a keloid scar by definition will invade adjacent normal tissue, so that the scar progressively grows in size.  This results in large, unsightly scars that can be problematic and bothersome to the patient.

What type of anesthesia is typically used for keloid scar removal surgery?

Although some keloid scars require surgery for removal and the restoration of a more normal appearance, the good news as these can be done in the vast majority of cases under local anesthesia.

How long is the recovery period after keloid scar removal surgery?

In just about all cases, the keloid scar excision should be completely sealed and watertight within 2 weeks of surgery. All stitches are buried so there are no sutures to remove on follow-up.

Are there any potential complications or side effects associated with the surgical procedure?

As with any surgical procedure, there is always the risk of bleeding, scarring and infection. We have not seen any recurrence of keloid scars and our patient population provided they are compliant with treatment recommendations.

How many treatments or follow-up appointments are needed for the best results?

The vast majority of keloid scars can be treated within our protocol that last approximately 3 months. On some occasions, the treatment interval may need to be longer particularly with presternal scars. Fortunately with the presternal keloid scars, no effective surgical strategy has yet been developed and many of these are exacerbated by other practitioners who have attempted to excise and close these in the presternal area.

What kind of scarring can one expect after keloid scar removal?

So long as the patient is completely compliant with her treatment recommendations, we can routinely obtain good excellent results.

Will you be able to see the scar after keloid scar removal?

Once an incision or an injury to the dermis has occurred, a scar is formed, and the scar is permanent. However, in the vast majority of cases, the quality of the scar would rank in the good to excellent category, much to the delight of our patients.

How Much Does Keloid Scar Treatment Cost in Houston, TX?

Sometimes insurance can be applied to keloid treatment, but every case is different. When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Hankins we can discuss the cost of your procedure, whether insurance applies and financing options, if necessary.

If you’d like more information about keloid scar treatment, contact our knowledgeable, helpful staff to ask questions or schedule a free consultation. The team at Premier Plastic Surgery is proud to serve the residents of Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson and the neighboring areas of South Houston.

Home » Keloid Removal

Keloid Removal in Houston, TX

Sometimes, the body is too good at healing itself – which is the case with keloid scars. The excessive overgrowth of scar tissue can be embarrassing, but you don’t have to continue living with it. Premier Plastic Surgery performs keloid scar treatment for residents in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson and the surrounding areas of South Houston.

What is Keloid Scar Treatment?

Sometimes, the body is too good at healing itself – which is the case with keloid scars. The excessive overgrowth of scar tissue can be embarrassing, but you don’t have to continue living with it. Dr. Hankins and his team at Premier Plastic Surgery are experts in treating and removing keloid scars for anyone looking to reduce the appearance of a scar. Keloid scars are distinct from other types of scars due to their invasive nature into adjacent normal tissue, causing them to progressively increase in size. This characteristic sets them apart from regular scars. Keloids often result in large, unsightly scars that can be bothersome and problematic for the affected individuals.

Dr. Hankins offers a unique approach to keloid scar removal that does not involve the use of irradiation, which can have uncertain long-term effects. His protocol focuses on excision and reconstruction, complemented by injections and laser therapy as needed to prevent scar recurrence. Patients seeking keloid scar removal should consider Dr. Hankins’ expertise and approach, as he has successfully treated many individuals, ensuring their satisfaction with the quality of their scars’ appearance post-treatment.

Keloid Scar Before & Afters

Keloid Scar 1

Keloid Scar 2

Keloid Scar 3

View All Before & After Photos >

Benefits of Keloid Removal

Some of the more common benefits of keloid scar treatment include:

  • Flattening, removal, or reduction in the size of the keloid scar
  • Increased self-confidence
  • Reduced pain, itching, or tenderness caused by the keloid scar

What Treatment Options are Available for Keloid Removal?

Keloid scar treatment may be based on the size and type of the keloid scar and the age of the patient, along with a variety of other contributing factors. Keloid scars can be treated with injections of either Kenalog, 5-FU (a chemotherapeutic agent), excision, lasers and irradiation. At Premier Plastic Surgery, our recommended treatment is generally surgical. We enhance the procedure by injecting triamcinolone into the wound at the time of surgery. In selected cases, superficial radiation therapy or SRT can be given within 24 hours after surgery.

Surgical Options for Keloid Removal

Injections are better for scars that are early in their evolution. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of bringing an evolving keloid scar to the attention of your surgeon or medical care provider early in its evolution before it gets too big. It is sometimes possible to abort that process early in its evolution whereas once a thick ropey scar has been established, its treatment becomes much more difficult. If the scar is one that has been determined to be amenable to surgical excision, then we have established a protocol with the use of lasers and injections as necessary to help prevent recurrence of the scar once it has been excised.

Frequently Asked Questions about Keloid Removal

Is keloid removal right for me?

If you’re an adult man or woman for whom a keloid scar is causing you embarrassment, discomfort, or difficulty, you’re likely a good candidate for keloid scar treatment. Keloid scars can come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, so regardless of what yours looks like, you can still be a good candidate for keloid removal.

What is a keloid scar? How does it differ from other scars?

The difference between a keloid scar and a regular scar is that a keloid scar by definition will invade adjacent normal tissue, so that the scar progressively grows in size.  This results in large, unsightly scars that can be problematic and bothersome to the patient.

What type of anesthesia is typically used for keloid scar removal surgery?

Although some keloid scars require surgery for removal and the restoration of a more normal appearance, the good news as these can be done in the vast majority of cases under local anesthesia.

How long is the recovery period after keloid scar removal surgery?

In just about all cases, the keloid scar excision should be completely sealed and watertight within 2 weeks of surgery. All stitches are buried so there are no sutures to remove on follow-up.

Are there any potential complications or side effects associated with the surgical procedure?

As with any surgical procedure, there is always the risk of bleeding, scarring and infection. We have not seen any recurrence of keloid scars and our patient population provided they are compliant with treatment recommendations.

How many treatments or follow-up appointments are needed for the best results?

The vast majority of keloid scars can be treated within our protocol that last approximately 3 months. On some occasions, the treatment interval may need to be longer particularly with presternal scars. Fortunately with the presternal keloid scars, no effective surgical strategy has yet been developed and many of these are exacerbated by other practitioners who have attempted to excise and close these in the presternal area.

What kind of scarring can one expect after keloid scar removal?

So long as the patient is completely compliant with her treatment recommendations, we can routinely obtain good excellent results.

Will you be able to see the scar after keloid scar removal?

Once an incision or an injury to the dermis has occurred, a scar is formed, and the scar is permanent. However, in the vast majority of cases, the quality of the scar would rank in the good to excellent category, much to the delight of our patients.

How Much Does Keloid Scar Treatment Cost in Houston, TX?

Sometimes insurance can be applied to keloid treatment, but every case is different. When you come in for your consultation with Dr. Hankins we can discuss the cost of your procedure, whether insurance applies and financing options, if necessary.

If you’d like more information about keloid scar treatment, contact our knowledgeable, helpful staff to ask questions or schedule a free consultation. The team at Premier Plastic Surgery is proud to serve the residents of Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson and the neighboring areas of South Houston.

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