Will Juvederm Cause Scars on Keloid-prone Skin?

Question

I want to get Juvederm for under eye puffiness, and nasolabial folds. My only concern is that I have keloid prone skin. Will the injections leave tiny scars throughout my face?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Keloid scars are caused by a proliferative deposition of collagen into a wound that may or may not plateau. The incipient cause by as simple as a scratch on the skin to a more invasive surgical scar. Keloids commonly occur from ear piercing, which is analagous to needle injections during Juvederm treatment.
I would not advocate any elective procedure that involves injection, surgical incision, or surgical excision for patients with keloid scars unless absolutely necessary.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Many patients who have keloids are able to have fillers, including Juvederm without keloids developing at the insertion site of the needle or the area in which the filler resides. No one can guarantee that you won&rsquo;t develop a keloid from the Juvederm, provided that it is inserted with a small needle and good technique without any additional surgical procedure being done at the same time (such as subcision which is a procedure that entails breaking up the collagen below the are to be filled by using a needle tip).

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi Fernanda,
Even in patients who are known to keloid, it is extremely rare to form keloids on the face (other than the ear).  I have not seen or heard of a patient who developed keloids after facial injection of fillers.  Discuss your concerns thoroughly with your physician prior to your treatment.  Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Fernanda83,
Keloids are very unpredictable and any trauma to the skin can potentially lead to keloid formation.  The best predictor is previous keloids.  With facial injections, one step that can be used is to perform the injections from inside the mouth.  With this method, there is no external skin puncture and this may reduce the incidence of keloid formation.  Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is unlikely to develop keloids from small needle injections, however, any skin trauma may induce keloid formation, so I would be hesitant to do so.

Will Juvederm Cause Scars on Keloid-prone Skin?

Answers (9)

Answer: Keloids are unpredictable

Answer: Keloids are unpredictable

Answer: Keloid skin and filler injections

Answer: Keloid skin and filler injections

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Everything you need to know about Juvederm

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Will Juvederm Cause Scars on Keloid-prone Skin?

Answers (9)

Answer: Keloids are unpredictable

Answer: Keloids are unpredictable

Answer: Keloid skin and filler injections

Answer: Keloid skin and filler injections

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Juvederm

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