Keloid Scar Treatment
in Houston, TX

Sometimes, the body can be too good at healing itself – and keloid scars are a prime example. Unlike typical scars, keloids can extend beyond the original wound and continue growing into the surrounding skin over time. This excessive buildup of scar tissue can be frustrating and affect your confidence, but you don’t have to live with it.

Premier Plastic Surgery offers keloid scar treatment for patients in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, Friendswood, and the surrounding areas of South Houston.

Before & After

Keloid Scar Treatment Results

What Are Keloid Scars?

Keloid scars are raised, thickened areas of scar tissue that develop when the body produces too much collagen while healing a wound. Unlike typical scars, keloids can grow beyond the boundaries of the original injury and may continue to enlarge over time. They can develop after cuts, burns, surgery, piercings, or even minor skin injuries and may cause itching, tenderness, or discomfort.

How Are Keloid Scars Treated?

Keloid scars can be treated with injections of Kenalog or 5-FU (a chemotherapeutic agent) or excision (surgical removal) and laser treatment. Steroid injections are better for scars that are early in their evolution. The type of treatment may depend on the size and type of the keloid scar and the patient’s age, among other contributing factors.

Our protocol focuses on keloid excision and reconstruction, complemented by injections and laser therapy as needed to prevent scar recurrence.

What’s the First Step?

During your initial consultation, we will take your detailed medical history, and Dr. Hankins will examine your keloid scar and determine the right treatment plan for you. You and Dr. Hankins will be able to determine whether one or a combination of keloid scar treatments is best for you.

All questions will be answered before treatment is initiated. If you’re considering keloid scar treatments in Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the surrounding areas of South Houston, let our team know!

Read Patient Reviews

“I am eternally grateful ”

Five solid black stars in a row

I am eternally grateful to Dr. Hankins and team for resolving my keloid, ending years of pain and itch. I went to many other doctors, but only Dr. Hankins had the right protocol and expertise for successful keloid treatment. The entire team is extremely competent and caring. I highly recommend Premier Plastic Surgery.

– L Clark

“Dr. Hankins is very professional and pleasant”

Five solid black stars in a row

Dr. Hankins is very professional and pleasant. Prior to having my keloid removed he explained the procedure and what to expect. He answered all my questions and put me at ease during the procedure. His staff is very professional, friendly and polite. So far I am very pleased.

–Rhonda Lucas

What to Expect from a Keloid Scar Treatment

Step 1: Anesthesia

Before the procedure begins, anesthesia is provided to keep you comfortable throughout treatment. The type of anesthesia used will depend on the extent and location of the keloid and the treatment plan recommended by Dr. Hankins.

Step 2: Keloid Excision

The keloid is carefully removed, with attention to preserving the surrounding healthy tissue. Once the keloid has been excised, Dr. Hankins reconstructs the affected area to support proper healing and achieve the best possible cosmetic result.

Step 3: Triamcinolone Injection

To help reduce the risk of recurrence, triamcinolone is injected into the wound during surgery. This corticosteroid helps limit excessive scar tissue formation as the area heals.

Step 4: Additional Treatment, When Needed

For selected patients, superficial radiation therapy (SRT) may be recommended within 24 hours after surgery. This additional treatment can help lower the risk of the keloid returning.

Step 5: Follow-Up and Scar Management

After treatment, Dr. Hankins will monitor your healing and provide recommendations for ongoing scar care. Following your personalized treatment plan and attending follow-up appointments can help promote proper healing and minimize the risk of recurrence.

Recovery After Keloid Scar Treatment

Recovery from keloid scar treatment is a crucial phase focused on proper healing and preventing recurrence. Thanks to Dr. Hankins’ advanced techniques, patients can expect minimal downtime. Immediately after the procedure, the treated area will be dressed, and you may experience mild discomfort or swelling, which is easily managed.

Following your personalized post-operative instructions is vital for a successful outcome. These instructions will include guidelines on wound care, activity restrictions, and your schedule for follow-up appointments. Dr. Hankins and our team will closely monitor your healing to ensure the best possible results and manage the new scar to minimize the risk of the keloid returning.

Most patients can resume their normal daily activities within a few days. However, strenuous exercise should be avoided for a short period, as advised by Dr. Hankins.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Keloid Scar Treatment?

The best candidates for keloid scar treatment are individuals in good general health who are bothered by the appearance or physical symptoms of their scars. You may be an ideal candidate if you:

Have noticeable keloid scars that cause self-consciousness or discomfort.
Experience symptoms like itching, pain, or tenderness at the scar site.
Have realistic expectations for the outcome.
Are committed to following Dr. Hankins’ post-treatment instructions to minimize the risk of recurrence.

A personal consultation with Dr. Hankins is the definitive way to determine your candidacy. He will assess your specific case, review your medical history, and recommend a tailored treatment plan to meet your goals.

Benefits of Keloid Scar Treatment

Choosing to treat your keloid scars at Premier Plastic Surgery can lead to significant improvements in your quality of life. Key benefits of our advanced treatment protocol include:

Improved Aesthetic Appearance: Treatment effectively reduces the size, height, and redness of the scar, creating a smoother and more even skin texture.
Relief from Physical Symptoms: Alleviates the persistent itching, pain, and tenderness often associated with keloid tissue.
Prevention of Further Growth: Our protocol is designed not only to remove the existing keloid but also to halt its growth and minimize the chance of it returning.
Enhanced Confidence and Comfort: By improving the scar’s appearance and eliminating discomfort, treatment can restore your self-confidence and allow you to feel more comfortable in your own skin.
Minimal Downtime: Dr. Christopher Hankins is known for delivering exceptional results with minimal downtime, allowing you to resume your normal activities quickly and with confidence.

Cost of Keloid Scar Treatment in Houston, TX

The cost of keloid scar treatment in Houston, TX, may vary widely – from $100 to $3,000 or more – depending on the treatment method, size and location of the keloid, and number of sessions required. Common treatments, such as corticosteroid injections, may cost a few hundred dollars per session, while more extensive options, including surgical removal followed by additional therapy, can be significantly more expensive.

Insurance Coverage

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. Our team at Premier Plastic Surgery is proud to serve the residents of Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and the neighboring areas of South Houston.

Why Choose Dr. Hankins?

Christopher Hankins, MD, is a highly trained plastic surgeon specializing in facial, breast, and body aesthetic surgery, with additional expertise in reconstructive and hand surgery. His advanced training includes five plastic surgery fellowships in the United States and the United Kingdom, including programs at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Hankins has extensive experience in wound care, anti-aging medicine, and academic medicine. He served as Medical Director of the Wound Care Center at Lake Jackson Hospital from 2011 to 2014 and continues to treat wound care patients. He is also a Diplomate of the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine, has published 19 peer-reviewed manuscripts, serves as an editor and reviewer for medical journals, and has presented plastic surgery topics at regional, national, and international conferences.

Dr. Hankins is equally committed to serving his community and giving back through international medical missions in Peru, Bolivia, and Pakistan, where he provided surgical care to underserved children and adults. He also serves on the Boards of Directors of the Agris-Zindler Children’s Foundation and the House of Charity. With advanced training, broad surgical experience, and a strong commitment to his patients and community, Dr. Hankins proudly serves individuals throughout Houston, Pearland, Lake Jackson, and surrounding areas.

Keloid Scar Treatment FAQs

Is a keloid scar treatment painful?

No. We use a local anesthetic and buffer it to a neutral pH before surgically removing a keloid scar so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. As for injections, you may feel a little discomfort, but it’s typically very well tolerated.

We do have ProNox, which is a patient-controlled method that assists in relieving the pain and anxiety of the procedure. However, for the vast majority of patients, the use of this option is not necessary.

How many appointments will I need?

It depends on the size of the scar and where on the body it is located. Most keloid scars can be treated within our protocol, which lasts approximately three months.

Sometimes, the treatment interval may be longer, particularly with presternal scars. Unfortunately, no effective surgical strategy has yet been developed for presternal keloid scars, and many of these are exacerbated by other practitioners who have attempted to excise and close them in the presternal area.

How long until I see results?

Scars excisions take approximately 2 – 3 weeks to heal. In almost all cases, the keloid scar excision should be completely sealed and watertight within two weeks of surgery. All stitches are buried, so there are no sutures to remove during follow-up.

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. So long as the patient complies with treatment recommendations, we can routinely obtain beautiful results.

Unfortunately, keloid scars can grow back. That’s why we recommend using laser treatment to inhibit the blood supply to the keloid scar and injections after surgery to keep them at bay. If you see a recurrence after treatment, you must seek medical attention immediately rather than waiting for it to disappear. It will only get bigger.

Can I combine keloid scar treatment with other procedures?

Yes! Some keloid scar treatments may even require the addition of other procedures to achieve the desired results. Dr. Hankins is happy to discuss all your options in your private consultation.

What are the risks associated with keloid scar treatment?

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

Some keloid scars can and do recur, even after surgical removal. If this happens, you must see a plastic surgeon to prevent the tissue from growing larger until it requires even more dramatic intervention.