Scars following surgery or injury to the skin can sometimes heal to leave raised or lumpy (hypertrophic) scars.

Occasionally scars can grow beyond the original area of damage or can occur following very minor injury – these scars are known as keloid scars.  Keloid scars can sometimes arise from acne spots, and may occur with no history of skin injury at all.  It is not known what causes keloid scarring but some areas of the body are more prone to forming them, for example on the chest, shoulders and earlobes.  People with darker skin types are also at more risk.  Keloid and hypertrophic scars can be painful or uncomfortable although they are mainly a problem because of their cosmetic appearance.

There are several treatments available to help flatten scars including triamcinolone (steroid) injections into the scar, application of steroid impregnated tape and use of silicone gels or sheets.  Surgery to remove keloid scars can sometimes run the risk of the scar growing back larger than before.