What's the Difference Between a Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar? (with Pictures)

Scarring is a natural process that occurs as part of the body's healing response to injury. However, not all scars are the same. Two types of scars that can occur are keloid and hypertrophic scars. While they may appear similar, they have distinct differences in their appearance, causes, and treatment. 

What Are Keloid Scars? 

Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are raised, thick, and often larger than the original wound. They are caused by an overproduction of collagen during the healing process, which can result in the scar tissue growing beyond the boundaries of the original wound. Keloid scars can be pink, red, or dark brown and may be itchy or painful. 

Keloid scars are more common in people with darker skin tones and can occur anywhere on the body. They can be caused by a variety of injuries, including surgical scars, burns, acne, piercings, and tattoos. 

What Are Hypertrophic Scars? 

Hypertrophic Scars

Hypertrophic scars are also raised and thick, but they are usually smaller and remain within the boundaries of the original wound. They are caused by an overproduction of collagen during the healing process, similar to keloid scars, but do not extend beyond the original wound. Hypertrophic scars are usually pink or red and may be itchy or painful. 

Like keloid scars, hypertrophic scars can be caused by a variety of injuries, including surgical scars, burns, and cuts. They are more common in people with darker skin tones and can occur anywhere on the body. 

Differences Between Keloid and Hypertrophic Scars 

Difference Between a Keloid and Hypertrophic Scar

While keloid and hypertrophic scars have some similarities, they have distinct differences in their appearance, causes, and treatment. 

Appearance: 

Keloid scars are larger, thicker, and can extend beyond the boundaries of the original wound. They may also have a darker color and be more raised than hypertrophic scars. 

Hypertrophic scars are smaller and remain within the boundaries of the original wound. They may also have a pink or red color and be less raised than keloid scars. 

Causes: 

Keloid scars are caused by an overproduction of collagen during the healing process, and can be triggered by a variety of injuries, including surgical scars, burns, acne, piercings, and tattoos. 

Hypertrophic scars are also caused by an overproduction of collagen during the healing process, but they usually remain within the boundaries of the original wound. They can be triggered by a variety of injuries, including surgical scars, burns, and cuts. 

Treatment: 

Treatment for keloid and hypertrophic scars can vary, and it's important to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine the best course of action. 

Keloid scars can be treated with corticosteroid injections, laser therapy, surgical excision, cryotherapy, or pressure therapy. 

Hypertrophic scars can be treated with corticosteroid injections, silicone sheets or gels, laser therapy, or pressure therapy. 

In some cases, a combination of treatments may be necessary to achieve the best results.  

Keloid and hypertrophic scars are two types of scars that can occur during the healing process. While they may appear similar, they have distinct differences in their appearance, causes, and treatment. If you are concerned about a scar, it's important to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine the best course of action. With proper treatment, both keloid and hypertrophic scars can be improved and the appearance of the skin can be restored. 

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Based on 25 reviews
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Skin Type: Normal
Comments: Any ideas on how to get rid of brown skin damage
Skin defence

Marks of sun damage are still there they haven't faded much after using twice a day for 60 days. . I will continue until product is finished. I'm a bit disappointed

Skin Type: Combination

I am so happy that I stumbled upon clearly basics on instagram. I was skeptical at first but decided to give it a try and bought clear out clarifying lotion. It's been 2 months and my skin has improved a lot. I can see significant reduction in pores and acne.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing

After years of medication and products, I decided to try clearly basics. In just 6 weeks my skin has calmed and I am now able to treat scarring.

So glad to have found these products!

Finding products that helped to control my acne without irritating my sensitive skin has always been a huge challenge. The clearly basics products have been my saviour, I can't recommend them enough ☺️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Excellent and actually works

I am so incredibly impressed with the TLC for pore minimising - it 💯 works and has transformed my skin.

I’m in my 50’s and always had hormonal flare ups with larger pores as I age - this is a game changer and have just reordered my 3rd bottle !

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Skin Type: Combination
The Best!!

So good been buying for a couple years. Just a shame they no longer ship to UK and I have to look for another product

not bad but I thought the formula has changed since what it was previously (i had it maybe 2 years ago) and I found it less effective now

Skin Type: Combination
This is the stuff.

So, long time sufferer of acne. Started when I was 12 and I'm 28 now still battling it. I've tried all kinds of different things to try and get it under control and besides birth control, nothing has helped long term. I never want to take birth control ever again and I just happened upon this brand and decided well, why not try? To my amazement, it has helped more than anything else I've tried, I'd say it has improved my skin to the level it was at when I took BC. Of course I still get pimples every now and then, and tiny flare ups during PMS but my skin is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. I highly recommend this company. To those who are considering trying this out, be aware that during the first week or so your skin will go through a purge and your acne will appear to get worse at first. Stick with it! Once that phase is over is when your skin will begin improving. I do need to use it every night for it to be fully effective, but even when I do forget, the pimples don't get too out of control. I just can't say enough good things about this product. It has helped my confidence improve immensely and I definitely recommend trying it to those who have skin as finicky as mine.

Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
The only moisturiser I trust

I am super sensitive and this is the only moisturiser that I trust honestly incredible.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing!

I use this product and with the clear out and it has really helped my hormonal acne.

This skin care routine is the o lay one that has helped clear up my daughters skin.

My daughters skin is really starting to look better!

Skin Type: Oily
So far so good

Bought this for my daughter that has struggled with acne for years. She has seen improvement and less frequent breakouts.

Best moisturizer I have found!

V
Lighten Up Redness Rescue Cream
Veronica Ilenya Ranieri
Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
Perfect

Has changed my skin from acne pro to almost perfect 😍😍

Skin Type: Combination
Obsessed !!

Obsessed with this cleanser!! It left me feeling fresh and prevented break outs. It is incredible . Loved this product so much

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

Skin Type: Combination
Fresh and clean!

My face is filled with energy and feels so fresh and clean!

Skin Type: Normal
excellent item!

have been using this for years! so good for my skin :)

C
So Fresh pH Balancing Cleanser
Carmelinda Di Manno
Skin Type: Combination
Fresh Feeling

My skin feels so clean and still hydrated when I use this cleanser. It’s balancing and refreshing. My skin has responded really well to it and at times my skin can be sensitive. I highly recommend this product to anyone with relatively oily t-zone area

Skin Type: Combination
Very happy!

Love the texture, the minty scent and the lather.
I wish the bottles were a bit bigger HOWEVER they are just small enough to fly with.

Skin Type: Normal
Comments: The only thing I now need to use to keep my skin clear.
The holy grail for clearing hormonal acne.

This is the only product that I have needed to keep my skin clear since discovering it about 2 years ago, after suddenly developing cystic hormonal acne at the age of 25. I now only need to use it every second night, so it's incredibly affordable. It has also never irritated my sensitive skin and it has faded previous acne marks to truly clear my skin. After years of trying expensive supplements/products/harsh prescription creams, Clear Out was the only thing that gave me long-lasting results.

Skin Type: Oily
Clearly Basics is the only product that has helped my Adult Acne

I have always struggled with dehydrated acne prone skin. Every month like clockwork I would get a new breakout on my chin or cheek area. These included large cystic acne that by the time they came to a head would take me months to clear. With new breakouts each month this created more & more spots before the first could heal leaving more hyper pigmentation spots that never have time to clear. Clearly basics changed all that for me. It gave my skin a chance to heal and reduced the number of breakouts each month. When I do get a new breakout it resolves itself quickly with less scarring and redness. Now that the acne is under control the products are helping to eliminate the remaining hyper pigmentation spots left from years of acne. I have not been using the product for long but I will continuing relying on this product and look forward to the day I can happily look in the mirror at a smooth clear & even complexion some day soon.

Skin Type: Combination
Comments: Product consistency in terms of smoothness/coarseness/stickiness/ is sometimes a miss, don't believe it affects the result provided.
Great Combo

Have seen great improvements by using these 2 items concurrently, hard to fault and wil continue purchasing.

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