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How Big of a Problem is Keloid Scarring with Rhinoplasty Surgery?

I am an African American considering rhinoplasty surgery, but I have a problem with Keloids. Am I still a candidate?

Sort 28 expert answers by:
+6

Keloid scarring is not common with rhinoplasty surgery

Your concerns are valid and it is important to discuss your history of poor scarring whenever you undergo any type of surgery. You should note however that different parts of the body will heal differently. The simple answer is that keloids rarely develop in the central face and we here at Profiles have never seen a keloid develop after we have done rhinoplasty. A more in depth explanation begins with an explanation of scarring. First, we need to help you in understanding the difference... more
Jason Litner, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+4

Keloids are very rare on the nose

I have not seen a rhinoplasty-related keloid in my 27 years of practice. With African American rhinoplasty, usually an external approach is used which involves a small inverted V incision under the columella (tip). The remainder of incisions are inside of the nose and have no danger of keloid formation. It would be a good idea to inject your incision line with a tiny amount of Kenalog 10 after the wound heals. Be well and good luck. Dr. P
Michael A. Persky, MD
Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+3

Keloid formation is generally not a problem with...

Keloid formation is generally not a problem with rhinoplasty surgery. For some reason, incisions which are made in or close to the midline of the face don't seem to have a keloid problem. As always, discuss your concerns with your physician to ensure that all of your questions are answered.
D.J. Verret, MD
Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Keloid formation after rhinoplasty is extremely rare

I have never witnessed, or seen described in the literature, keloid formation after rhinoplasty, even in individuals who are prone to keloids in other areas of the body such as the arms/legs, trunk, or earlobes. The reason for this is not well understood. When it comes to African-American rhinoplasty, often an open approach is required to create the tip projection and refinement desired by the patient. The tiny incision across the columella in this open rhinoplasty approach heals... more
Umang Mehta, MD
Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

Keloid is Rare With Rhinoplasty

Fortunately, keloid formation is rare with Rhinoplasty. Do mention your concern to your surgeon at the time of your consultation.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
+2

Keloid scarring not an issue with rhinoplasty

The scar usually heals remarkably well on the nose after a rhinoplasty.  Keloids do not typically form in this area and are not usually a concern with a rhinoplasty incision.  If you are prone to form keloids (thick,raised scars) in other areas of your body (chest, shoulder, ear) let your plastic surgeon know prior to surgery. Best wishes, Dr. Bruno
William Bruno, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+2

Keloid scarring risk in Rhinoplasty

Although the risk of developing keloids on the nose is rare, anyone with a history of keloids should be advised against any elective surgery, especially on the middle of the face. I am very conservative in my practice and would advise the patient to take the safest road to prevent devastating complications.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+2

Keloid scarring is not a problem with rhinoplasty...

Keloid scarring is not a problem with rhinoplasty surgery since all of the incisions are placed internally or inside the nose. Patients with thick, olive, oily skin can develop edema just above the tip with some scar contracture underneath the tip. These complications can be averted through cortisone injection treatment during the first three months after rhinoplasty.
William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Rhinoplasty Scarring

I have never seen a keloid after Rhinoplasty in my hands, during my training, or in my community.  Keloids more commonly form on the sternum, deltoid, and earlobe region.
Stephen Prendiville, MD
Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids never a problem with rhinoplasty.

I personally have never seen a keloid on anyone's nose.  I am sure that it has been reported somewhere but it has to be a rare condition.  I don't think I would let the remote possibility of keloid be a big determinant in choosing a rhinoplasty.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid Scarring Not Likely on the Nose

Keloid scarring is extremely unlikely on the nose.  The reason for this is not known, but it is certainly an observed fact. If you want to further reduce your chance of keloid scarring, see if you can't have a "closed" rhinoplasty in which all of the incisions are kept inside of the nose.
Louis W. Apostolakis, MD
Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

No issue with keloid scarring with rhinoplasty

Keloid scarring is not an issue with rhinoplasty.  Nobody completely understands the pathophysiology of kelopid scarring, but for some reason the nose is protected territory.  It is not susceptible to keloid scarring.
Raghu Athre, MD
Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids after rhinoplasty

I have never seen, or even heard of, a case of keloid formation after rhinoplasty surgery. This is even if an external rhinoplasty incision is needed. Bottom line is that your keloid history doesn't preclude you from having rhinoplasty surgery in the future.
Thomas A Lamperti, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid and Rhinoplasty

Keloiding after a rhinoplasty is big theoretic concern but in reality is quite rare.  I have never seen a keloid caused from a rhinoplasty or heard of a case reported in the scientific literature.   Choose a surgeon with experience working with African Americans.
Anil R. Shah, MD
Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scarring is not usually a problem in the African American patient in rhinoplasty

Patients of African American origin generally have thick skin and tolerate rhinoplasty well.  The results can yield dramatic improvement in the balance of the nose.  In the rare case where an external incision is required under the nose, Keloid formation is rare.
Robert Mounsey, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid after rhinoplasty.

I'v never seen a keloid after rhinoplasty.  Many African American noses require an open technique which leaves a scar on the columella.  Sometimes this is a bit prominent but typically resolves with time.  There are no keloids internally in the nose with a closed rhinoplasty. Best, Tal Raine MD
Talmage J. Raine, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid scaring after Rhinoplasty.

This is very rare. I have never seen one personally. The issue really arises if you are having an open or external approach Rhinoplasty. Fortunately the skin under your nose heals extremely well. I woundn't worry.
Oakley Smith, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids in Rhinoplasty

I have never seen a case of Keloids following a surgical procedure on the nose. I have however seen a keloid as well as a hypertrophic scar (two different entities) for after trauma to the nose. Unfortunately, never say never in medicine and I am sure my rhinoplasty expert colleagues might have a different experience.  Controlled trauma with delicate handling of the nasal tissues, bloodless and sterile surgical technique followed by a sound closure can typically avoid adverse scars... more
John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Avoiding Keloids in rhinoplasty

In my experience with ethnic rhinoplasty I have never seen a case of kiloids.  In closed rhinoplasty, which you should have,  having a kiloid on inside of the nose is unheard off.  Make sure your surgeon closely follow your recovery and your internal incisions.  At earliest sign of scars enlarging they should be treated with appropriate injections.
Boris M. Ackerman, MD
Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids are not common on the nose

Keloids are common in certain people and on certain body sites.  Fortunately, keloids are seldom, if ever, seen on the nose.  So go ahead and have your rhinoplasty!
Randy J. Buckspan, MD
Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids Scarring not really an issue for rhinoplasty

Not really an issue. For some reasons, keloid scarring rarely, if ever, occurs on the face. Even with the external rhinoplasty approach, the technique I use in the great majority of my rhinoplasty surgeries, the scar heals up as a virtually undetectable fine line scar, which can be confirmed by looking at my website photos.
Jeffrey S. Epstein, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids after Rhinoplasty

Never say never, but keloids after rhinoplasty are very, very rare even in African Americans who are prone to keloid formation in other parts of their bodies. In 35 years I've never seen a  keloid in any of my rhinoplasty patients or any other surgeon's patients.
Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloid scarring is rare with rhinoplasty surgery

Rhinoplasty is a popular and effective surgery to recontour the shape of your nose. In our practice, we perform many rhinoplasties on African-American patients and have not seen any hypertrophic scars or keloids. The skin around the nose heals very nicely and is very unusual to see a hypertrophic scar or keloid if the surgery is done properly.  
B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

African American Rhinoplasty and Keloids

Hi I have performed hundreds of African American Rhinoplasties and have never encountered a keloid post-operatively. Keloids tend to stay out of the T zone of the face and are more commonly found on the periphery of the face. Best, Dr.S.
Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids do not occur in the nose

Althought most answers to this question qualify by saying that keloids "rarely occur", I believe that they do not occur at all in or around the nose.  Scarring can occur, of course, and it is due to imprcise closure or too much tension in the skin when it is closed.  I have discussed this topic with a number of rhinoplasty experts, and we all agree that even something that may look like a keloid probably is not.  I have personally excised a "keloid"... more
Minas Constantinides, MD
Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
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