Keloids in Dark Skin: Causes, Treatments, and What Actually Works

When skin heals after an injury, some people develop keloids, raised, overgrown scars that extend beyond the original wound site. Also known as keloid scars, they’re not just cosmetic—they can itch, burn, or restrict movement. People with darker skin tones, including those of African, Asian, or Hispanic descent, are 15 times more likely to get them than people with lighter skin. This isn’t random—it’s biology. Melanin-rich skin has a stronger healing response, and when that response goes off track, collagen keeps building even after the wound is closed.

Unlike hypertrophic scars, thickened scars that stay within the boundaries of the original injury, keloids keep growing, sometimes for months or years. They show up after piercings, acne, cuts, burns, or even minor scratches. A pimple you popped? A razor nick? A vaccination site? All of these can trigger them in susceptible people. And once they start, they rarely go away on their own. Steroid injections, silicone sheets, and pressure dressings are the most common first-line treatments, but success varies. Laser therapy helps reduce redness and flatten them, while cryotherapy freezes the tissue—but both carry risks of darker skin turning lighter or darker if not done right.

What’s missing from most advice is the real-world truth: skin pigmentation, the natural color of your skin, directly affects how keloids form and respond to treatment. Many dermatologists treat keloids the same way for everyone, but that doesn’t work. Darker skin needs gentler, more targeted approaches to avoid post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation. Prevention is key—if you know you’re prone, avoid unnecessary piercings, tattoos, or aggressive acne treatments. If you have a wound, keep it clean, moisturized, and protected from sun exposure. Silicone gel sheets worn daily for months can reduce the chance of keloids forming in high-risk people.

You won’t find a magic cure, but you can control them. The right mix of early intervention, consistent care, and a dermatologist who understands your skin type makes all the difference. Below, you’ll find real guides on managing scars, avoiding triggers, and using treatments that actually work for darker skin—not just what works in clinical trials, but what works in real life.