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Are African Americans More Prone Keloids After Plastic Surgery?

asked 1 year ago by hasanewperspective in Chicago, IL
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 162 times
Tags: African American, keloid scar

I've read that African Americans are more suceptible to forming keloids scars after plastic surgery. Is this true? Can it be prevented?

4 answers to Are African Americans More Prone Keloids After Plastic Surgery?

+2

Scarring in African Americans

There are some skin types that are more prone to forming keloid scars: African American, Mediterranean, Indian, Hispanic, for instance.  There are also body areas that are more prone to form keloid scars: the mid-sternum, shoulders, back, earlobes, for instance.  But this does not mean that all African Americans form keloids.  In fact, most do not, and do just fine after plastic surgery procedures.  In my practice, we use early scar interventions to reduce the... more
Carmen Kavali, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+2

African Americans and Keloids

In general, African Americans, Asians, and Latin Americans are at greater risk for keloid formation than Caucasians.  The areas where keloids are most likely to form on a statistical basis are the sternum (chest), deltoid, and earlobe/ peri-auricular areas.  This is not to say that keloids are an inevitable consequence, because many African Americans are not at risk for and do not form keloids.  Whenever I see an African American patient who is considering a Facelift, I look... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids

Keloids are more prone in certain ethnic groups. African-Americans can develop them as well as some Hispanic patients, as well as patients of mediteranean descent.  Usually patients know before hand if they form keloids from prior injuries.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Keloids in African Americans undergoing plastic surgery

If you look at the entire population of people with keloids you find a greater percentage of darker skinned indiviuals-African, Indian etc. than you do white caucasians. That does not mean that in individual African American is more susceptible to forming keloids after plastic surgery. The vast majority of keloids that I have seen were due to ear piercings and acne. The few keloids I have seen after surgery were mostly in the lower abdomen after gynecologic surgery. I have performed cosmetic... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

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