Keloid Treatment in Korea: Expert Management - Prices 2025

Keloids—those raised, overgrown scars that extend beyond the original wound—are notoriously difficult to treat. Korea offers advanced multi-modal treatments for this challenging condition. Here's your comprehensive guide.

Understanding Keloids

What Are Keloids?

Keloids are abnormal scars that:

• Grow beyond the original wound
• Continue growing over time
• Often return after treatment
• Can be itchy or painful
• More common in certain ethnicities

Keloid vs. Hypertrophic Scar

Risk Factors

• Genetics: Strong family history
• Ethnicity: Higher in darker skin tones
• Age: More common 10-30 years
• Location: Chest, shoulders, earlobes, jawline
• Wound type: Burns, acne, piercings, surgery

Common Locations

• Earlobes (piercings)
• Chest
• Shoulders
• Upper back
• Jawline

Why Korea for Keloid Treatment?

Korea excels at keloid management:

• Comprehensive protocols: Multi-modal approaches
• Advanced technology: Latest treatment options
• Experience: High case volume
• Long-term management: Follow-up protocols
• Competitive pricing: Excellent value

Treatment Options

1. Intralesional Steroid Injection (First Line)

How it works: Triamcinolone injected directly into keloid to reduce inflammation and flatten

Details:

• Most common first treatment
• Multiple sessions needed
• Can be combined with other treatments

Price: $80-$155 (₩100,000-₩200,000) per session Sessions: 3-6 (every 4-6 weeks)

Effectiveness: 50-80% improvement

2. Cryotherapy

How it works: Freezing keloid tissue

Details:

• Often combined with steroid injection
• Multiple sessions
• Can cause pigment changes

Price: $80-$155 (₩100,000-₩200,000) per session Sessions: 2-5

3. Laser Therapy

Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL)

• Targets blood vessels
• Reduces redness and height
• Multiple sessions

Price: $155-$310 (₩200,000-₩400,000) per session

Fractional Laser

• Remodels collagen
• Can thin keloid
• Use cautiously

Price: $310-$540 (₩400,000-₩700,000) per session

4. Surgical Excision

How it works: Removes keloid surgically

Caution: High recurrence rate (50-100%) if done alone

Must combine with:

• Steroid injections
• Radiation therapy
• Silicone therapy
• Pressure garments

Price: $385-$1,540 (₩500,000-₩2,000,000)

5. Radiation Therapy (Post-Excision)

How it works: Prevents keloid recurrence after surgery

Details:

• Given within 24-48 hours of excision
• 3-5 sessions
• Very effective prevention

Price: $770-$1,540 (₩1,000,000-₩2,000,000) for course

Effectiveness: Reduces recurrence to 10-20%

6. Silicone Therapy

How it works: Hydrates and flattens through occlusion

Types:

• Silicone sheets
• Silicone gel

Details:

• Use 12-24 hours daily
• Continue 3-6 months minimum
• Preventive and treatment

Price: $20-$60 (₩25,000-₩80,000) per product

7. Pressure Therapy

How it works: Constant pressure reduces blood supply

Best for: Earlobes after excision

Details:

• Clip or custom earring
• Wear constantly for months

Price: $40-$155 (₩50,000-₩200,000)

8. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) Injection

How it works: Inhibits cell proliferation

Details:

• Often combined with steroids
• For resistant cases
• Multiple sessions

Price: $115-$230 (₩150,000-₩300,000) per session

9. Bleomycin Injection

How it works: Anti-tumor agent that inhibits collagen

Details:

• For steroid-resistant keloids
• Limited availability

Price: $155-$310 (₩200,000-₩400,000) per session

Treatment Approach by Location

Earlobe Keloids

Standard Protocol:

1. Steroid injections (3-4 sessions)
2. If inadequate: surgical excision
3. Post-surgery: radiation OR
4. Pressure therapy + steroids

Success rate: 70-90% with combined approach

Chest/Shoulder Keloids

Standard Protocol:

1. Steroid injections (initial)
2. Silicone therapy (ongoing)
3. Consider excision + radiation
4. Long-term maintenance

Note: Higher recurrence rate in this area

Facial Keloids

Standard Protocol:

1. Conservative first (steroids)
2. Laser therapy
3. Surgical excision with caution
4. Radiation may not be appropriate

Pricing Summary (Korea 2025)

Package Pricing

Treatment Timeline

Injection Protocol

Surgical Protocol

Results and Expectations

Realistic Expectations

Important: Keloids often recur. Ongoing management usually needed.

What to Expect

• Steroids: Gradual flattening over months
• Surgery: Immediate removal, but watch for recurrence
• Combination: Best long-term results

Living with Keloids

Prevention

If you're keloid-prone:

• Avoid unnecessary piercings/tattoos
• Treat acne aggressively
• Prophylactic treatment for necessary surgery
• Immediate silicone therapy for any wound
• Avoid skin trauma when possible

After Treatment

• Continue silicone therapy long-term
• Monitor for recurrence
• Early treatment if returning
• Protect from sun
• Avoid re-injury

Who Should Seek Treatment?

Reasons to Treat

• Pain or itching
• Cosmetic concern
• Functional limitation
• Growing keloid
• Psychological impact

Treatment Timing

• New keloids: Early intervention may help
• Stable keloids: Can treat any time
• Growing keloids: Treat soon

Choosing a Clinic in Seoul

What to Look For

• Keloid experience: Specific expertise
• Multi-modal capability: Various treatments available
• Long-term approach: Follow-up protocols
• Radiation access: If needed post-surgery
• Realistic expectations: Honest about outcomes

Questions to Ask

• What treatment do you recommend for my keloid?
• What's the expected improvement?
• What's the recurrence rate?
• What's the long-term management plan?
• Do you have before/after photos?

FAQ

Q: Can keloids be cured? A: Managed, not cured. Keloids often recur and require ongoing treatment.

Q: What's the best treatment for keloids? A: Combination therapy works best. Steroids first, then laser/surgery with radiation if needed.

Q: Will my keloid grow back after surgery? A: Risk is high (50-100%) without additional treatment. Combined with radiation: 10-20% recurrence.

Q: Are steroid injections painful? A: Yes, keloid injections are uncomfortable (4-6/10). Numbing helps.

Q: How many treatments will I need? A: Typically 3-6 steroid sessions minimum, then maintenance. Varies by response.

Q: Is keloid treatment covered by insurance? A: In Korea, some treatments may be covered if medically necessary. Ask the clinic.

Q: Can I prevent keloids? A: If prone, avoid unnecessary skin trauma and treat any wounds promptly with silicone therapy.

Q: Do keloids go away on their own? A: Rarely. Unlike hypertrophic scars, keloids typically persist or grow.

Conclusion

Keloid treatment in Korea offers comprehensive multi-modal approaches for this challenging condition. While complete elimination isn't always possible, significant improvement and long-term management are achievable with expert care.

Struggling with keloids? Consult with a Korean specialist experienced in keloid management for a personalized treatment plan.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This article provides general information about keloid treatments. It is not intended as medical advice. Keloid treatment requires individualized approaches. Always consult with qualified professionals.

Last Updated: January 2025 Prices as of January 2025. Actual costs may vary by clinic and keloid characteristics.