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Do I Need Cortisone Shots Before Keloid Removal?

I have a Keliod on m upper ear, which is caused from a piercing. I just started with the cortisone shot and have to return monthly. After the keliod softens the doctor told me i could get it removed by a plastic surgeon. Do i need to take this step first of can i go straight to a surgeon?

Doctor Answers 6

Cortisone injections and keloid surgery

November 12th, 2012
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I have tremendous experience with keloids and have felt that pre-treatment cortisone injections are less useful than previously thought.  I would recommend a consultation to discuss options with your surgeon. 

Web reference: http://surgery90210.com/cosmetic-dermatology/38/scar-revision.aspx

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS


Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 90 reviews

Keloid Scar Treatment with Steroid Injection Prior to Plastic Surgery

November 2nd, 2010
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Hi sp217 in Houston, TX,

Keloid scars a challenging to remove, as they may recur despite treatment at some point in the future. These types of scars are more common around the ears or chest, especially in darker skinned individuals. The mainstay of keloid scar therapy is both steroid injections and plastic surgery. Commonly, plastic surgeons will inject a keloid scar before, during, and after the plastic surgery. Other treatments for aggressive or extensive scarring include low-dose radiation, silicone, pressure, or skin grafts among other things. Only after a comprehensive evaluation can a plastic surgeon help determine appropriate treatment options for you. Best of luck.

Dr Chaboki

Web reference: http://www.potomacplasticsurgery.com/reconstructive-surgery/mole-removal.cfm

Houtan Chaboki, MD

Houtan Chaboki, MD
Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 76 reviews

Treating keloids on ears

October 31st, 2010
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Many patients find that every 4-6 weeks cortisone injections by an experienced Dermatologist or plastic surgeon is sufficient to improve the keloid significantly, and that you may not even need the surgery in the end. In other cases, the keloid is shrunken by the cortisone shot to the point that the surgery is less invasive and/or a smaller scar is made.

Benjamin Barankin, MD

Benjamin Barankin, MD
Toronto Dermatologic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 42 reviews

Cortisone Shots before Keloid Removal

October 28th, 2010
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Smaller keloids can respond and be significantly improved with cortisone injections, so that excision is not needed.

A larger or very noticeable keloid may need to be excised or removed first , followed by cortisone injections into the site to reduce the risk of having the keloid come back.

Web reference: http://www.skinmdseattle.com

Anifat Balogun, MD

Anifat Balogun, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Cortisone Shots Before Keloid Removal

October 27th, 2010
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Do this regime for 6 months or 6 injections than see a boarded plastic surgeon to discuss removal and the risks of return of the Keloid scar. Be careful Best of Luck. 

Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Cortisone and keloids

October 26th, 2010
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If it is a small keloid, than cortisone may reduce it. If it is a large keoid, then surgical removal and a course of cortisone treatment may help minimize the risk of return of the keloid.

Steven Wallach, MD

Steven Wallach, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon
4.1 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.