Laser removal of keloid scars

Keloid scars are one of the most challenging forms of scarring and require a professional approach and comprehensive treatment.

Here the scar has become softer, lighter, and less noticeable against the surrounding skin.

Relevance and impact on quality of life

Keloid scars are not just an aesthetic issue. They are often accompanied by itching, pain, a feeling of tightness, and reduced skin mobility. Such scars can cause psychological discomfort, lower self-confidence, and interfere with normal social interaction. Treating keloids is therefore not only a cosmetic matter but also a medical task that directly affects a patient’s quality of life.

Features of keloid scars

Keloid scars differ from ordinary scars because they:

• grow beyond the boundaries of the original injury

• contain an excess of collagen produced by active fibroblasts

• have a bright pink or reddish color due to increased blood supply

• occur more often in people with Fitzpatrick skin types III–VI (darker, more pigmented skin) and often have a hereditary predisposition

• most commonly form on earlobes, the chest, shoulders, and back

These features make keloids difficult to treat, so management requires an individual approach.

In the photo is the result after several sessions of laser therapy for a keloid scar on the wrist. The scar has become softer, less raised, and is gradually blending in color with the surrounding skin. Over time, the redness fades completely.

Why are keloids harder to treat?

Keloid scars have very dense tissue and a tendency to regrow even after treatment. For this reason, standard methods are often not effective enough.

A lasting result requires combining several approaches: laser therapy, medication, photodynamic therapy, and injectable techniques. Treating keloids calls for a systematic approach, regular follow up, and the expertise of a physician working in a specialized laser clinic.

Lasers have been used in scar treatment since the 1960s, starting with CO₂ systems. Today, fractional, nonablative, and vascular technologies are available, targeting all key elements of keloid tissue: vessels, collagen, and the inflammatory component.

Thanks to advances in laser medicine, keloid treatment has become safe, controlled, and effective, even in complex cases.

Modern technologies and an individualized approach

At Dr. Uskov’s clinic, laser systems across all relevant wavelengths are used, as in leading global centers for keloid treatment.

Protocols are selected individually, taking into account the scar’s stage, depth, color, density, and the overall condition of the skin. This approach delivers maximum effectiveness with minimal risk of recurrence.

Comprehensive course according to protocols

Keloid treatment is always carried out as a course. A single procedure cannot fully correct dense scar tissue. Under Dr. Uskov’s protocols a combination of several lasers and adjunct methods is used, targeting the vascular, inflammatory, and collagen components of the scar.

Early keloids respond faster, while mature ones require more sessions and more intensive settings.

Diagnostics before starting therapy

Before treatment an in-person consultation with mandatory diagnostics is performed: digital dermatoscopy, Wood’s lamp examination, infrared imaging, and, if needed, ultrasound of the skin and scar.

This diagnostics helps accurately assess the structure of keloid tissue, choose the optimal strategy, and forecast the outcome.

Safety principle

Safety is the clinic’s key principle. All procedures are performed with certified medical lasers according to international protocols.

This approach makes it possible to achieve a pronounced result with minimal risk of complications and recurrences.

Realistic expectations

Every case is individual. In some situations the scar can be made almost unnoticeable, in others its density, itching, and tenderness can be significantly reduced.

Complete disappearance of a keloid is rare, but even partial correction can greatly improve the skin’s appearance and the patient’s quality of life.

Consultation and additional resources

An in-person exam is required to determine the optimal treatment strategy for a keloid scar.

At the consultation Dr. Uskov will perform diagnostics, explain treatment options, and discuss expected outcomes.

Book an appointment to discuss the best approach for your specific case.

Frequently asked questions

Can a keloid be completely removed?

A keloid scar cannot be removed entirely, but modern lasers can make it softer, lighter, and less noticeable.

How many sessions are needed?

A typical course includes 4–10 sessions, depending on the stage, size, and density of the scar.

Is laser treatment dangerous?

No. When performed with medical equipment under a physician’s supervision, the risk of complications is minimal.

Does it hurt?

The procedure is done with local anesthesia and is generally comfortable.

When is it best to start treatment?

The earlier, the better. Early-stage treatment yields faster and more durable results.