{"id":25578,"date":"2026-08-23T17:13:39","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T17:13:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/?p=25578"},"modified":"2026-08-23T17:25:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-23T17:25:48","slug":"keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/","title":{"rendered":"Keloid vs Hypertrophic Scar: How to Tell the Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>An elevated scar is more than a cosmetic issue. Knowing the types of scars \u2212 like a <strong><b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/keloid.html\">keloid vs hypertrophic scar<\/a> \u2212 <\/b><\/strong>can help you know what you&#8217;re up against and when to seek treatment. Both would be caused by too much scarring, but they don&#8217;t work the same way.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_87_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#What_is_a_Keloid_Scar\" >What is a Keloid Scar?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#What_is_a_Hypertrophic_Scar\" >What is a Hypertrophic Scar?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Keloid_vs_Hypertrophic_Scar_Key_Differences\" >Keloid vs Hypertrophic Scar Key Differences<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#How_Do_You_Know_Which_One_Youve_Got\" >How Do You Know Which One You&#8217;ve Got?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#When_to_Consult_a_Dermatologist\" >When to Consult a Dermatologist?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Treatment_will_be_based_on_the_Type_of_Scar\" >Treatment will be based on the Type of Scar.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Do_Not_Ignore_Change_in_the_Appearance_of_a_Keloid_Scar\" >Do Not Ignore Change in the Appearance of a Keloid Scar<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#FAQs_Keloid_vs_Hypertrophic_Scar\" >FAQs: Keloid vs Hypertrophic Scar<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Q_How_can_one_mainly_distinguish_keloids_and_hypertrophic_scars\" >Q: How can one mainly distinguish keloids and hypertrophic scars?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Q_How_to_know_if_my_scar_is_a_keloid\" >Q: How to know if my scar is a keloid?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Q_Can_a_hypertrophic_scar_become_keloid\" >Q: Can a hypertrophic scar become keloid?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Q_Are_keloids_as_well_as_hypertrophic_scars_a_permanent_problem\" >Q: Are keloids as well as hypertrophic scars a permanent problem?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/keloid-vs-hypertrophic-scar-difference\/#Q_How_to_Treat_Keloids_and_Hypertrophic_Scars\" >Q: How to Treat Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Keloid_Scar\"><\/span><strong>What is a Keloid Scar?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Keloids are thick scars that form at the site of the wound. It can occur following a medical procedure, acne, burns, cuts, and even vaccinations and piercings. Silvery-hued keloids can also be present many years after the skin injury has healed.<\/p>\n<p>Keloids often appear as thick, flat, raised scars. They can be pink or red, purple, or darker than the surrounding skin. Itching, tenderness, or pain may also develop.<\/p>\n<p>One of the easier clues is growth. If the scar continues to spread beyond the injury site, it is more likely to be a keloid.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Hypertrophic_Scar\"><\/span><strong>What is a Hypertrophic Scar?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hypertrophic scars are also raised and thick because the body produces too much collagen while healing. However, this is restrained just to the initial area of the wound.<\/p>\n<p>They are usually visible weeks after an injury or surgery. They cause pain, possibly a burning sensation, or sting. Keloids differ from surgical hypertrophic scars in that the latter tend to soften and flatten with time.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Keloid_vs_Hypertrophic_Scar_Key_Differences\"><\/span><strong>Keloid vs Hypertrophic Scar Key Differences<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The most critical difference between a <a href=\"https:\/\/dermnetnz.org\/topics\/keloid-and-hypertrophic-scar\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><u><b>keloid vs hypertrophic scar<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is where it grows, how it spreads, and how it changes over time.<\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"150\"><strong><b>Feature<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"150\"><strong><b>Keloid<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"150\"><strong><b>Hypertrophic Scar<\/b><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Original wound<\/td>\n<td>Grows beyond it<\/td>\n<td>Stays within it<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Growth<\/td>\n<td>May continue growing<\/td>\n<td>Usually settles over time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Onset<\/td>\n<td>Can appear months\/years later<\/td>\n<td>Often develops within weeks<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Natural improvement<\/td>\n<td>Less likely<\/td>\n<td>More likely<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Common areas<\/td>\n<td>Ears, chest, shoulders<\/td>\n<td>Areas under skin tension<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>These features may offer helpful hints, but they can&#8217;t replace a dermatologic exam.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_You_Know_Which_One_Youve_Got\"><\/span><strong>How Do You Know Which One You&#8217;ve Got?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are wondering whether your scar is a keloid, first inspect its margins. Is the raised tissue contained where the injury occurred or has it extended out of the area?<\/p>\n<p>Also, think about how the scar healed and changed. Hypertrophic scars are flat for many months but become raised over time. A keloid continues to grow or extends beyond the wound edge.<\/p>\n<p>That said, some scars can have rather tricky appearances that are hard to classify by sight. A diagnosis is sometimes made just based on appearance, but a dermatologist may also take your medical history and physical characteristics into account. Sometimes a biopsy may be requested if the diagnosis is not clear.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Consult_a_Dermatologist\"><\/span><strong>When to Consult a Dermatologist?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You will need further evaluation by a dermatologist (a skin specialist) if your scar is any of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Growing or changing shape<\/li>\n<li>Painful, itchy, or tender<\/li>\n<li>Restricting movement<\/li>\n<li>Becoming increasingly noticeable<\/li>\n<li>Causing emotional or cosmetic concerns<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Seek help from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/keloid.html\"><strong><u><b>best dermatologist for keloid in Delhi<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to identify whether that raised part is a keloid, hypertrophic scar, or a different dermatologic disorder.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treatment_will_be_based_on_the_Type_of_Scar\"><\/span><strong>Treatment will be based on the Type of Scar.<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Often, silicone gel or sheets, pressure therapy, corticosteroid injection, cryotherapy, laser treatment, and so on. Keloids recur after excision in some selected cases and are usually larger than the primary lesion.<\/p>\n<p>However, if you require therapy, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/\"><strong><u><b>best skin doctor in Delhi<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>; they will suggest an appropriate treatment depending on your scar characteristics, that is, location, size, age, and behavior.<\/p>\n<p>Note: You may be encouraged to consult a specialist who can help you get the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/keloid.html\"><strong><u><b>best hypertrophic treatment in Delhi<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a><strong><b>,<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0especially if your scar remains thick or uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_Not_Ignore_Change_in_the_Appearance_of_a_Keloid_Scar\"><\/span><strong>Do Not Ignore Change in the Appearance of a Keloid Scar<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Keloids and hypertrophic scars may look indistinguishable, but their growth patterns differ. The key determinant is whether that scar stays within the boundaries of the original wound.<\/p>\n<p>If a raised scar persists and you&#8217;re unsure, it is always better to consult an expert than self-diagnose. However, a consultation with one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/\"><strong><u><b>best keloid scar specialists doctor\u00a0 in Delhi<\/b><\/u><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0can help determine<strong><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>the type and available treatments.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs_Keloid_vs_Hypertrophic_Scar\"><\/span><strong>FAQs: Keloid vs Hypertrophic Scar<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_can_one_mainly_distinguish_keloids_and_hypertrophic_scars\"><\/span><strong>Q: How can one mainly distinguish keloids and hypertrophic scars?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0One important distinction between keloids and hypertrophic scars is that keloids extend beyond the original wound margins and hypertrophic scars are confined within them. With time, however, hypertrophic scars may flatten as well.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_to_know_if_my_scar_is_a_keloid\"><\/span><strong>Q: How to know if my scar is a keloid?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0A keloid is diagnosed when any scar grows beyond its original injury. You may also develop signs and symptoms involving your skin, including itchy or hard skin that is painful to touch, or else you might have pain. A dermatologist can confirm this.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Can_a_hypertrophic_scar_become_keloid\"><\/span><strong>Q: Can a hypertrophic scar become keloid?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0No. They are types of abnormal scars. However, they can be very similar that a professional examination may be needed to differentiate them.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_Are_keloids_as_well_as_hypertrophic_scars_a_permanent_problem\"><\/span><strong>Q: Are keloids as well as hypertrophic scars a permanent problem?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0No, not always. In many cases, the initial appearance of a hypertrophic scar will regress over time as the scar matures, becoming flatter and less red (fibrosis). Keloids will generally not resolve on their own either; they tend to require treatment to decrease their size and symptoms.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Q_How_to_Treat_Keloids_and_Hypertrophic_Scars\"><\/span><strong>Q: How to Treat Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong><b>A:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Surgical excision, pressure dressing, laser therapy, cryotherapy, intralesional corticosteroids (triamcinolone acetonide), silicone sheeting or gels, etc. The choice of the management strategy is determined by the type, size, and activity of the scar.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An elevated scar is more than a cosmetic issue. Knowing the types of scars \u2212 like a keloid vs hypertrophic scar \u2212 can help you know what you&#8217;re up against and when to seek treatment. Both would be caused by too much scarring, but they don&#8217;t work the same way. What is a Keloid Scar? [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25580,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25578","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-keloid"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25578"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25578\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25579,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25578\/revisions\/25579"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25580"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thenationalskincentre.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}