Keloids and Hypertrophic scars are caused due to cutaneous injuries such as burns, insect bites, acne and other skin problems. Both scars result from the overproduction of collagen, a main structural protein found in our skin. A keloid scar is known to spread beyond the boundaries of the original wound, whereas a hypertrophic scar does not spread and grows within the boundaries of the wound. Let us understand the difference between these two wounds in more detail.
Key Takeaways
- Keloid scars grow beyond the original wound boundary, while hypertrophic scars stay within the injury site.
- Keloids can continue to grow over time, but hypertrophic scars stabilize and gradually fade.
- Treatment options differ, with keloids requiring more invasive procedures like surgery or injections.
Keloid Scars vs Hypertrophic Scars
A keloid scar is a thick scar which can be found on the chest or shoulder. It cannot affect the face. These scars are not dangerous. These scars can cause irritation. Hypertrophic scars appear on injured skin. These scars can cause itching. Home treatment can be done to remove these scars. It can appear anywhere on the body.
Keloid scars are smooth and dense outgrowths of fibrous tissue that may exceed the original wound’s area. These can form immediately after a wound or sometime later and are very uncomfortable and itchy. It can range from red to purple to brownish scar, which is smooth and dense. A keloid scar can also be a permanent scar as it is the benign growth of the skin.
On the other hand, hypertrophic scars are mild as compared to the former. The scar is hyperemic, excess blood flow in a body part. It is elevated above the skin’s surface and can become thick after some time. It can appear as a pinkish or dark reddish scar which is formed due to excess tension around the wound.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Keloid Scars | Hypertrophic Scars |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Red to brown and they cross the boundary of original wound | Pink to red and they do not cross the boundary of the original wound |
| Target sites | Shoulder, chest, cheeks, earlobe, jaw | Joints, elbows, arms |
| Thickness | Abnormally thick | Normal thickness is visible and sometimes there is no thickness |
| Structure | Irregularly pale | Parallelly oriented to the epidermal surface |
| Elevation | Sharp elevation seen, more than 4mm | Often elevated |
What Are Keloid Scars?
A keloid scar is huge in appearance as it spreads beyond the boundaries of the original wound. It can be identified by thickness and lumpiness which can appear anywhere on the body. These wounds are much larger than the original wound, and commonly found areas are chest and shoulder regions. It does not appear on the face but can target the jawline and neck areas.
These are not harmful to one’s health, but a person having a keloid scar may lead to cosmetic concerns. Sometimes these scars appear after an injury, such as a simple cut or any other wound. If the damage appears to be normal, then the repairing can happen through a process called regeneration of tissue. But in case of a serious injury, damaged tissues get inflamed and appear larger. These can also be caused by getting a tattoo or piercing.
Causing discomfort and irritation is the main role of a keloid scar. These can form on a large surface of the body and become a hard and tight scar. More than a health concern, these are more of a cosmetic concern, and a person can be conscious about appearance if the size of the scar is large.
What Are Hypertrophic Scars?
A thick appearance characterizes a hypertrophic scar and develops only where the skin is injured. It does not cross the boundary line of the wound. This scar is a result of the overproduction of collagen and can also happen due to someone’s skin type. These scars result from tension around the wound, having a thick red appearance that can last for a couple of years.
Hypertrophic scar arises due to an abnormal response to an injury. These are not very dangerous but lead to severe itching and redness. Both medical and home treatments are available to get rid of a hypertrophic scar.
The scar could be characterized by restrictions in movement as the skin is no more flexible. Visible and elevated scars do not spread into the neighbouring tissues and are caused due to excess deposition of fibroblast derives extracellular matrix proteins.
Main Differences Between Keloid Scars and Hypertrophic Scars
- Keloid scars appear on the earlobes, shoulder or chest region and cheeks, whereas hypertrophic scars can develop anywhere on the body.
- The color of a keloid scar is pink to purple, and the hypertrophic scar is reddish-pink.
- A keloid scar can grow beyond the boundaries of the original wound, but hypertrophic scars remain within the boundaries of the original wound.
- The keloid scars have a high recurrence rate, whereas hypertrophic scar is easier to treat than the former.
- Keloid scar is irregular in appearance, whereas hypertrophic scar is elevated.
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1524-4725.1999.98257.x
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0738081X94902542
Last Updated : 13 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
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