What Can I Do to Improve the Skin Lightening After a Keloid Injection?

Question

I had a very small keloid on my chest (no bigger than an inch). I got it injected with steroids and it is now completely flat however the skin there turned much lighter. I just want to know if there was a way to make it darker.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

Most of the time skin lightening (hypopigmentation) that results after a steroid injection resolves on its own given time.  The good news is that in your photo it appears that the repigmentation has already started with those areas of normal pigment arising in the center of the lighter area.

	Unfortunately we do not have any methods of repigmenting hypopigmentation on the skin.  It either resolves on its own or not.  The only skin condition with loss of pigmentation that is amenable to treatment is vitiligo.  That is because it is an autoimmune inflammatory condition and we can treat inflammation.  The loss of pigmentation with steroid injections is not due to inflammation.

What Can I Do to Improve the Skin Lightening After a Keloid Injection?

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What Can I Do to Improve the Skin Lightening After a Keloid Injection?

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Scar Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.