Has anyone had a keloid removed? Please can you share how it was for you?

[OohBettySpencer]

Dd (20yrs) is having a keloid scar from a helix piercing removed tomorrow. She is nervous as its a complete unknown to us-we dont know anyone who has had it done.
She had a chat with the consultant on the phone but she isn't sure what to expect about the procedure itself and how to manage it while it's healing.

We've just been talking about how she feels and she thinks if she had spoken to someone who had been through it it may make her feel less worried.

If anyone is willing to share their experience, we would really appreciate it.

DD had keloids removed from her helix and scaffold. She said the worst part was the local anaesthetic. Other than that it was fairly quick and not too painful. Took about a week to heal, with dissolving stitches. She had a course of antibiotics to take and she had to watch her ear in case the site of removal also developed keloids (it didn't). Good luck to your DD.

Have a look for a Dr pimple popper video with keloid removal. Or I think the bad skin clinic has also done keloid removal on TV.

My son had keloid scars on his ear piercings and had regular injections to reduce these. Not sure if this is a slightly different procedure to what your DD is having but he found it uncomfortable but bearable. Hope all goes well.

That's helpful, thank you. I felt the local anaesthetic might be the worst part.

How did your dd manage with hair washing in that first week? I'm expecting the advice will be to keep it dry but dd will really struggle to go longer than 2 days without washing her hair!

Part of her treatment will be monthly steroid injections for 6 months to reduce the risk of it regrowing.

I've had a look at some videos 🤮 but dd can't bear to. Thanks for the odea though.

Dd is past the point of injections being effective enough. It took her a long time to come to terms with it needing medical attention. She tried all manner of home remedies first.

As per my post above she be having monthly injections to prevent regrowth and is worried they will be awful to hear your ds found them bearable is useful-thank you.

Yes I had mine removed when early 20s due to a piercing too!

I had a really good experience!

The anesthetic was fine. I remember having a good chat with the nurse during the operation such that the doctor told us to shut up so he could concentrate 🤣

I slept a lot when I got home, but pain manageable. It hurt a little bit at home.

I have noticed that the area has started throbbing recently. Very occasionally. Over ten years later. I also had the steroid injection at the time to prevent regrowth. I only had one injection though not monthly.

No problems washing my hair!

hope this helps!!

No problems with hair washing here either. I can't fully remember but I think she only had to keep it dry for maybe the first 24 hours, if that? And she had a waterproof plaster/steri strips thing on it that stayed on for most of that first week.

I had one removed from my earlobe as a teen under general anaesthetic but it grew back. It took steroid injections to reduce it although it never went completely. I also had to have the injections in the one that grew on my back after my bcg jab. Painful but worth it. Hope all goes well for your DD x

Oh, I forgot to say that after the first time (surgical removal) I wasn't allowed to wash my hair for three weeks! That was in the late 80s though so it might be different now.