Frequently asked questions

A hypertrophic scar stays within the boundary of the original wound and often fades over time. A keloid spreads beyond the edges of the original wound and rarely fades on its own. Both are caused by an overproduction of collagen during healing.

No. They are benign and not cancerous. But they can be itchy, painful, unsightly and emotionally distressing, particularly when they are somewhere visible.

Keloids usually do not go away without treatment and may continue to grow over time. Hypertrophic scars are more likely to fade and flatten by themselves.

Keloids are more common in people with darker skin tones, including those of African, Hispanic and Asian background, and a family history raises the risk. They most often form on the upper chest, upper back, shoulders, ears and cheeks.

Not always, but the risk can be reduced: avoid unnecessary skin trauma such as tattoos and piercings, treat acne early, use pressure earrings after ear piercings, apply silicone sheets or gels while a wound is healing, and tell your surgeon beforehand if you have a history of keloids.

No. No treatment fully removes a scar or restores the skin to exactly how it was, and there is usually some minor residual change in the skin. What treatment can do is reduce the size, redness, itch and pain, leaving something smaller and far less noticeable.

It depends mainly on the size and age of the scar. Small scars under 1cm that are less than two years old usually do well with intralesional steroid injections. Medium (1 to 2cm) and large (over 2cm) scars usually do well with intralesional cryosurgery. Keloids with a narrow base may suit radiosurgical excision, always followed by a second treatment to prevent recurrence. Keloids larger than 3cm may not be suitable for treatment at the clinic and may need to be referred elsewhere, including abroad.

As early as possible. Early treatment considerably improves the success rate, and scars more than two years old are harder to treat. This is particularly true of silicone sheets and steroid injections, which work best while a scar is still forming.

Most treatments are well tolerated. Cryosurgery is carried out under local anaesthetic, so discomfort during treatment is minimal, and most people describe a brief cold sensation. Steroid injections cause brief discomfort.

It depends on the size and type of the scar. Most small keloids treated with cryosurgery clear in one or two sessions; larger ones need more. Steroid injections are usually given every three to four weeks, with most people needing at least three to six sessions.

Cutting a keloid out on its own has a high recurrence rate, and the scar may grow back larger than the original. Excision is only used when it is followed by another treatment, such as cryosurgery, steroid injections, imiquimod cream or radiotherapy, to prevent it returning.

Yes. Some scars recur months or even years after treatment, and not all scars respond in the first place. Combining treatments lowers the chance of recurrence compared with using one alone.

The scar swells, blisters and weeps for the first few weeks. At around four to six weeks it goes black, dries out and falls off. This is the treatment working rather than a complication. Overall healing takes two to eight weeks, and longer on areas such as the legs and feet.

Most people are able to return to work or school the day after intralesional cryosurgery or radiosurgical excision.

Signs are redness spreading into the surrounding untreated skin, swelling, a smelly or pus-like discharge, and pain that gets worse rather than better as the days pass. Contact the clinic immediately if you think the wound is infected, as you may need an antibiotic.

By phone on 066 7174066 or by email to reception@kerryskin.ie. The Kerry Skin Clinic does not have an online booking system.

It depends mainly on the size of the scar. As a rough guide from March 2026: a consultation is €150, cryosurgery is €350 to €450 per session depending on size, and a first steroid injection visit is €180. The fees page at keloids.ie/fees has the full list, and your exact fee is confirmed at consultation.

The surgeon's fee is usually covered in full by insurers or by a medical card. The separate facility fee, which covers surgical materials, the surgical assistant, insurance and overheads, is not covered by private health insurance or a medical card, though you may be able to claim some or all of it through tax relief.

No referral is needed to make an appointment at the Kerry Skin Clinic. A referral from Dr Buckley or one of his nurses is needed to access the free Irish Red Cross Skin Camouflage service for a skin condition.