Near the jaw and chin
A firm raised bump along the lower jaw, on the chin, or under it — at the site of a former pimple, cut, or suture.
CONDITION / SKIN AND SCARS
Keloid scars on the face.
Keloid scars on the face are dense scars that grow beyond the limits of the original wound, most often along the lower jaw, on the chin, and under it. After excision alone, they often recur, so they are treated with combined methods, and facial sutures are planned to be less noticeable.
CONCEPTUAL VISUALIZATION- What it is
- A dense scar on the face that grows beyond the boundary of a former wound — after a pimple, cut, burn, or surgery.
- Where it happens
- Most often — along the lower jaw, on the chin and under it; in the center of the face — rarely.
- The main thing
- After only the excision, the keloid often returns, so it is treated in combination.
- Who treats it
- A plastic surgeon together with a dermatologist; radiation therapy is carried out by a radiotherapist.
01 / WHAT IS ITWhat is
What is
Keloid on the face.
Keloid — a scar that does not remain within the boundaries of the wound but spreads to the surrounding healthy skin. It appears a few weeks, and sometimes even years, after skin damage — a cut, burn, or acne — and can grow for months or years.
On the face, keloids are distributed unevenly. According to a systematic review of 1,598 keloids of the head and neck, the highest tendency for them is around the ear, in the beard area, under the lower jaw and chin, and the lowest — in the center of the face. In a study of 113 patients with facial and neck keloids, they were most often near the angle of the mandible (41.3%) and on the side under the chin (20.0%).
Why exactly there? Keloids tend to appear where the skin experiences tension. In the same study, they were more often found in areas where the thickness and stiffness of the skin change the most when a person moves their head; this did not consistently coincide with areas having the most sebaceous glands or acne.
Hiding a scar on the face is difficult. The authors of the review note that keloids on the face and neck often distort appearance and cause psychological stress, so seeking help is normal.
This is general information. The doctor will tell you what will suit you after the examination.
02 / SIGNSHow does it look
How does it look
Keloid on the face.
A keloid can easily be confused with a hypertrophic scar or another skin formation, so the doctor will give a definitive diagnosis.
Larger than a wound
The scar extends beyond the edges of the former wound and can grow for months or years.
Itches and hurts
While the keloid is growing, it may itch and hurt; when growth stops, this usually subsides.
Several merge together
On the face, several keloids can merge into one large formation — then it is harder to remove and close the wound.
Could this be a hypertrophic scar?
A hypertrophic scar is also raised and firm, but it does not extend beyond the wound and usually flattens over time.
Hypertrophic facial scarsNear the ear
Keloids on the earlobe and behind the ear have their own treatment peculiarities.
Keloid of the auricle03 / REASONSWhy does it appear?
Why does it appear?
Keloid on the face.
A keloid is an excessive skin reaction to healing. The risk is influenced by the wound itself, skin tension, and a person's predisposition.
Acne
A keloid can grow at the site of pimples. Therefore, acne should be treated in time, and pimples should not be squeezed: this can leave scars.
Scars after acneCuts, burns, surgeries
Any damage to the facial skin—cut, burn, surgery, or piercing—in a predisposed person can result in a keloid.
Scars after operations on the faceSkin tension
The tension of a wound or scar is one of the local factors for keloid growth. On the face, the skin is constantly moving, especially near the corner of the lower jaw.
Propensity
Risk is higher if keloids have already occurred, as well as in people of Asian and African descent; in fair-skinned people, keloids occur less often and are usually less pronounced. Among general factors, high blood pressure and hereditary traits are also mentioned.
Keloid scarPlanned procedures
The authors of the review advise people prone to keloids to consider the risk of a specific area of the face before a planned procedure.
04 / SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE
When to seek medical advice?
A keloid itself does not require emergency care: this is a planned situation. But a fresh wound on the face or an infection in a scar may require immediate help. Call 103 if there is even one of these signs:
103 immediately if:
- bleeding from a wound that does not stop;
- blood beats in a stream;
- a deep, large, or heavily cut wound on the face;
- a fragment or glass is stuck in the wound - do not remove it yourself;
- very high temperature or severe chills;
- rapid pulse or rapid breathing;
- purple spots on the skin;
- confusion of consciousness;
- cold, clammy, or pale skin;
- the person is unresponsive or has lost consciousness.
Do not delay a visit to the doctor:
On the same day: the scar or wound on the face is swollen, painful, warm to the touch, or has pus discharge. Planned: If a scar appears on your face, is growing, itchy, or bothering you, or a keloid has returned after treatment — make an appointment for a consultation: early treatment can help stop its growth. It is also worth seeing a doctor if the pimples are deep, painful, or already leaving scars.
05 / DIAGNOSTICSAs defined,
As defined,
that it is a keloid.
- Conversation
When and after what the scar appeared — a pimple, cut, surgery, or procedure; whether it is growing; whether there were keloids before or in the family; what has already been tried.
- Review
The boundaries, density, and size of the scar: whether it extends beyond the original wound. This is how a keloid is distinguished from a hypertrophic scar.
- Photo in standard angles
Face straight on, from the side, and from below — to plan treatment and compare changes over time.
- If in doubt
If the growth looks unusual, the doctor will suggest an examination to distinguish the keloid from similar benign and malignant tumors.
06 / TREATMENTHow we treat
How we treat
Keloids on the face.
It is impossible to remove a keloid without a trace, but treatment helps improve its appearance. According to international recommendations, the best chance is given by a combination of several methods tailored to the individual. On the face, there is an additional goal — to make the scars and side effects of the treatment itself as unnoticeable as possible.
01
Without surgery
For small keloids and as part of combined treatment.
- Injections into the scar
- A hormone (triamcinolone) is injected directly into the keloid. In a review of 15 randomized studies, it could help in the short term, while in the medium and long term, better results may be achieved with other drugs (5-fluorouracil, verapamil) or a combination of 5-fluorouracil with the hormone.
- Side effects of injections
- According to the same review, the hormone at a concentration of 20 or 40 mg/ml more often than some other drugs, including 5-fluorouracil, caused thinning of the skin and vascular "stars." Therefore, the medication, dose, and intervals are selected by a doctor, who examines the skin around it at each visit.
- Silicone
- International guidelines consider silicone gel or plates to be the first choice for the prevention and treatment of keloids.
- Cryotherapy and laser
- Among the possible methods are also freezing the scar and laser. Which of these is suitable is decided by the doctor.
- Camouflage
- Special creams and powders, selected according to skin color, make the scar less noticeable. Makeup as part of scar treatment is also mentioned in international guidelines.
02
Surgery
Excision — only together with other treatment.
- Why not just excision
- Removing a keloid without other treatment is usually not recommended because it is most likely to grow back—and larger.
- Suture without tension
- Skin tension contributes to keloid growth, so on the face, incisions are planned along aesthetic lines, and the wound is closed without tension.
- Excision “from the inside”
- Sometimes only the dense tissue of the keloid is removed, and its own skin is used to close the wound. In a review of 20 studies (926 keloids), mostly with additional treatment, recurrence ranged from 0 to 28.6%; the risk was increased by residual scar tissue and complications such as hematoma.
- Large keloid
- If the wound is not stitched directly after removal, it is closed with a flap or a skin graft. In a review of 10 studies (244 patients), keloids recurred in 21%, and when the wound was closed, — less often than when it healed on its own. The authors emphasize that the data on different closure methods still need verification.
- What is added after excision
- In a series of 202 patients with keloids of the head and neck who were observed for at least 2 years, a combination of precise excision, postoperative hormone injections, and silicone (and for the ear — also radiation therapy) resulted in a 15% recurrence.
- Radiation therapy
- It is prescribed and performed by a radiotherapist in a specialized facility.
03
After treatment
- Long observation
- Even after combined treatment, a keloid can return, so long-term follow-up with a doctor is recommended.
- the sun
- Protect the scar from the sun for at least a year and use SPF 30 or higher cream.
- New procedures
- People prone to keloids are advised to avoid piercings and tattoos, and for a planned procedure on the face — inform the doctor in advance.
- mood
- If the scar is distressing, tell your doctor: talking to a psychotherapist can also help.
07 / AT THE VALIKHNOVSKYI INSTITUTE
How
How
we treat it.
Facial keloids at the Valikhnovskyi Institute of Surgery are treated under the "New Face" program together with dermatologists from the "Rehabilitation after Aesthetic Surgery" program. The clinic is responsible for excision, wound closure, injections, laser treatment, and scar care; if radiation therapy is needed, it is performed by a radiotherapist in a specialized facility.
CLINIC SERVICE
A new face
Form, symmetry, facial expressions and functions after injuries, wounds, burns, removal of tumors and congenital changes.
View service
What we do for this condition
- Excision with combined treatment — a keloid is excised only in combination with other methods: after excision — injections into the scar or radiation therapy as prescribed by a doctor.
- Local tissue closure — the wound is closed with local or perforator flaps using tissue of a similar color so that the suture lies without tension.
- Expander — for large areas: a balloon is gradually filled under the healthy skin nearby, and then the stretched skin is moved to cover the scar area.
- Injections into the scar — separately or after excision — to reduce the keloid and the risk of its recurrence.
- Silicone and compression — scar care, which is selected and explained by a dermatologist.
- Fractional CO2 laser and IPL — for the surface, color and hardness of the scar; the number of sessions is determined by the doctor.
- Control of the ripening of the scar — during examinations, the doctor monitors the scar and offers timely treatment if it has begun to thicken.
Rostislav Valikhnovskyi
Plastic surgeon, candidate of medical sciences, founder of Dr. Valikhnovskyi Institute of Surgery.
Publications by topic
- "Ways to improve outcomes in patients with facial keloid scars" - Clinical Anatomy and Operative Surgery, 2025 (DOI).
How treatment works with us
- Photo onlineSend a photo of your face straight on, from the side, and from below — this shows the jaw area and under the chin.
- ConsultationReview, talk about what has already been tried and whether there were keloids before.
- PlanWhat to combine with excision and how to place the sutures so that they are less noticeable.
- TreatmentExcision and wound closure, injections, laser — according to the plan, often in several stages.
- Follow-upSilicone, sun protection, and follow-up check-ups over a long period.
08 / QUESTIONS AND ANSWERSCommon
Common
questions
Short answers. What is right for you, the doctor will tell you during the consultation.
Can a keloid on the face simply be excised?
Excision alone is usually not recommended: the keloid is most likely to grow again. Therefore, it is combined with injections, silicone, or radiation therapy, and the wound is closed without tension.
Will the keloid disappear completely?
It is impossible to remove a keloid without a trace, but treatment helps improve its appearance, reduce itching and pain.
Are hormone injections safe on the face?
This is one of the main methods. But in a review of 15 randomized studies, a hormone concentration of 20 or 40 mg/ml more often caused thinning of the skin and vascular "stars," so the dose is selected by a doctor and the skin is monitored.
Why did the keloid grow specifically on the jaw?
Keloids tend to appear where the skin is under tension and movement. In a study of 113 patients, facial and neck keloids were most often near the angle of the lower jaw.
Will the keloid return?
It can. In a series of 202 patients with keloids of the head and neck after combined treatment, it recurred in 15%. Therefore, follow-up check-ups over a long period are important.
I am prone to keloids. Is it possible to have procedures on the face?
Tell the doctor about keloids before any planned procedure: the risk depends on the area, and it is taken into account in advance. Piercings and tattoos are advised to be avoided.
How to conceal a keloid while it is being treated?
Camouflage creams and powders matched to your skin tone help. Protect the scar from the sun and use a cream with SPF 30 or higher.
Sources
17 sources · guidelines, systematic reviews, and NHSshowCollapse
- Diagnosis and Treatment of Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars-Japan Scar Workshop Consensus Document 2018Burns & Trauma, 2019doi:10.1186/s41038-019-0175-y ↗
- Updated international clinical recommendations on scar management: part 2--algorithms for scar prevention and treatmentDermatologic Surgery, 2014pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25068544 ↗
- Updated scar management practical guidelines: non-invasive and invasive measuresJournal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, 2014doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2014.04.011 ↗
- The Most Current Algorithms for the Treatment and Prevention of Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids: A 2020 Update of the Algorithms Published 10 Years AgoPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2022doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000008667 ↗
- Location Propensity for Keloids in the Head and NeckFacial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine, 2021doi:10.1089/fpsam.2020.0106 ↗
- In the face and neck, keloid scar distribution is related to skin thickness and stiffness changes associated with movementWound Repair and Regeneration, 2024doi:10.1111/wrr.13180 ↗
- Facial keloids. A 15-year experienceArchives of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery, 1997doi:10.1001/archotol.1997.01900040031005 ↗
- Wound Coverage, Adjuvant Treatments, and Surgical Outcomes for Major Keloid Scars: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum, 2025doi:10.1093/asjof/ojae129 ↗
- The safety and efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide for keloids and hypertrophic scars: A systematic review and meta-analysisBurns, 2021doi:10.1016/j.burns.2021.02.013 ↗
- Effectiveness of Core Excision Technique for Keloids: A Systematic ReviewPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2025doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000011733 ↗
- Keloid Skin Flap Retention and Resurfacing in Facial Keloid TreatmentAesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018doi:10.1007/s00266-017-0949-1 ↗
- Ways to improve the results of treatment of patients with keloid scars on the faceClinical Anatomy and Operative Surgery, 2025doi:10.24061/1727-0847.24.2.2025.20 ↗
- Keloid scarsNHS, 2023nhs.uk/conditions/keloid-scars ↗
- AcneNHS, 2026nhs.uk/conditions/acne ↗
- ScarsNHS, 2023nhs.uk/conditions/scars ↗
- Cuts and grazesNHS, 2026nhs.uk/conditions/cuts-and-grazes ↗
- CellulitisNHS, 2024nhs.uk/conditions/cellulitis ↗
The figures on the page are from these sources.
Keloid on the face
Is it growing or has it returned?
Send a photo of your face straight on, from the side, and from below. The doctor will advise how to treat the keloid and reduce the risk of its return.