{"id":682,"date":"2026-08-20T17:06:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T15:06:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/glossar\/keloidpraedisposition\/"},"modified":"2026-08-28T11:45:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T09:45:37","slug":"predisposition-to-keloids","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/glossar\/keloidpraedisposition\/","title":{"rendered":"Predisposition to keloids"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-boxed has-apricot-light-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Predisposition to keloids:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A predisposition to keloids (also known as a tendency to develop keloids) is a genetically determined tendency to develop keloids following skin injuries \u2013 benign but aggressively growing scar tumours that extend beyond the original edges of the wound. It is considered a relative contraindication for most purely cosmetic procedures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#was-ist-eine-keloidpradisposition\">What is a predisposition to keloids?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#wer-ist-besonders-gefahrdet\">Who is particularly at risk?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#die-konsequenz-fur-schonheits-ops-eine-relative-kontraindikation\">The implication for cosmetic surgery: a relative contraindication<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#behandlungsmoglichkeiten-warum-pravention-der-schlussel-ist\">Treatment options: Why prevention is key<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#die-rolle-der-folgekostenversicherung-bei-wundheilungsstorungen\">The role of follow-up costs insurance in cases of impaired wound healing<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#haufig-gestellte-fragen-faq-zur-keloidneigung\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on a tendency to develop keloids<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-boxed has-white-warm-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important note<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This article is for information purposes only and is not a substitute for a medical diagnosis or advice. If you are unsure, or if you require a personalised treatment plan, it is essential that you consult a qualified specialist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"was-ist-eine-keloidpradisposition\">What is a predisposition to keloids?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A predisposition to keloids (also known as a tendency to develop keloids) is a person\u2019s genetically determined tendency to develop keloids following skin injuries (such as operations, piercings, vaccinations or even acne). A keloid is a benign but aggressively growing scar tumour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike a normal scar, its growth does not stop at the original edges of the wound, but spreads uncontrollably into the healthy surrounding tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"keloid-vs-hypertrophe-narbe-der-entscheidende-unterschied\">Keloid vs. hypertrophic scar: The key difference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many patients confuse \u201epoor\u201c scar healing with a genuine tendency to develop keloids. The distinction between the two is <a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/glossary\/narbenhypertrophie\/\">Hypertrophic scarring<\/a> is, however, fundamental.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Characteristic<\/th><th>Keloid (scar tumour)<\/th><th>Hypertrophic scar (\u201ethick scar\u201c)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Growth<\/strong><\/td><td>Grows beyond the original wound<\/td><td>Remains strictly confined to the original wound<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Date and time<\/strong><\/td><td>Often only develops months after the injury<\/td><td>Develops in the first few weeks following the injury<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>History<\/strong><\/td><td>Without treatment, it often continues to progress<\/td><td>It often resolves on its own or with treatment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Colour<\/strong><\/td><td>Usually deep red to violet or dark brown<\/td><td>Usually reddish or skin-coloured<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Symptoms<\/strong><\/td><td>Often severe itching, pain and extreme sensitivity<\/td><td>Often just a mild itch<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wer-ist-besonders-gefahrdet\">Who is particularly at risk?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Anyone can be prone to keloids, but certain factors significantly increase the risk:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Genetic predisposition:<\/strong> If close family members (parents, siblings) have keloids, your own risk is significantly increased.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skin type:<\/strong> People with darker skin (of Asian, African or Hispanic descent) are statistically far more likely to be affected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Age:<\/strong> Keloids are most common in people aged between 10 and 30.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Location:<\/strong> Certain areas of the body are more prone to keloid formation, as the skin in these areas is under constant tension: the sternum (d\u00e9colletage), shoulders, upper back and earlobes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"die-konsequenz-fur-schonheits-ops-eine-relative-kontraindikation\">The implication for cosmetic surgery: a relative contraindication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-boxed is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Your safety: Complete honesty during the preliminary discussion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you know that you or your family are prone to keloids, this is the most important piece of information you must share with your surgeon during the consultation. Withholding this information can have disastrous consequences. A known predisposition to keloids is a relative contraindication for most purely cosmetic, non-essential procedures. This means that a responsible surgeon will weigh up the extremely high risk of a disfiguring scar against the patient\u2019s cosmetic wishes and is likely to advise against the operation.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"behandlungsmoglichkeiten-warum-pravention-der-schlussel-ist\">Treatment options: Why prevention is key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The treatment of keloids is extremely difficult, time-consuming and often frustrating, as they frequently recur after removal (high recurrence rate).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cortisone injections:<\/strong> Regular injections of cortisone directly into the keloid can stop its growth and flatten the scar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cryotherapy:<\/strong> Freezing of the tissue using liquid nitrogen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pressure treatment:<\/strong> Wearing special compression bandages or silicone splints for months on end.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Surgical removal:<\/strong> Simply cutting out a keloid, without any accompanying measures (such as subsequent radiotherapy or cortisone injections), almost always results in an even larger, more aggressive keloid.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Therefore, the best \u201etreatment\u201c is prevention \u2013 in other words, avoiding any unnecessary skin trauma, including piercings, tattoos and elective cosmetic surgery, if a predisposition is known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"die-rolle-der-folgekostenversicherung-bei-wundheilungsstorungen\">The role of follow-up costs insurance in cases of impaired wound healing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keloid formation is the most severe form of post-operative wound healing disorder. Treatment often requires months or even years of very costly therapy with a specialist dermatologist or scar specialist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As statutory and private health insurance schemes often do not cover the costs of treating such complications following cosmetic procedures, it is advisable to take out <a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/after-care-insurance\/\">Consequential Costs Insurance<\/a> Essential financial protection. It safeguards you against the high costs of protracted and often frustrating keloid treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Further information on covered procedures can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/after-care-insurance\/#behandlungen\">Overview page on treatments and procedures<\/a> as well as in the <a href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/after-care-insurance\/questions-and-answers\/\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-boxed is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">None<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-polar\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/after-care-insurance\/\">Insure against consequential costs<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"haufig-gestellte-fragen-faq-zur-keloidneigung\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on a tendency to develop keloids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: false, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-1&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-1\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Is it possible to have a test to see if you are prone to keloids?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-1\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-1-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No, there is no specific blood or genetic test. The diagnosis is made on the basis of personal and family medical history (medical history) and by examining any existing scars.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-2&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-2-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-2\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Does a thick scar always mean that I\u2019m prone to keloids?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-2\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-2-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. A hypertrophic scar (red, thick, but confined to the wound) is a common form of excessive scarring, but it can usually be treated effectively and often improves on its own. Only if the scar grows beyond its original boundaries during the scar-healing phase is it a true keloid.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-3&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-3-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-3\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Are there any \u201esafe\u201c surgical procedures for people known to be prone to keloids?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-3\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-3-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is a risk associated with any incision in the skin. Procedures in which the skin is under minimal tension (e.g. an upper eyelid lift or blepharoplasty) carry a lower risk than operations on the breast or shoulders. The decision must be made on an individual basis with the surgeon following an extremely careful assessment of the risks and benefits.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-4&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-4-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-4\" type=\"button\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">Can a keloid become malignant?<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-4\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-4-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No. Keloids are benign growths of connective tissue and do not carry any risk of becoming malignant. They are purely a cosmetic and functional (itching, pain) problem.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A predisposition to keloids is a genetic tendency to develop excessive keloid scarring following skin injuries \u2013 a relative contraindication for cosmetic procedures.<\/p>","protected":false},"template":"","class_list":["post-682","glossary","type-glossary","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossary\/682","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/glossary"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/glossary"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/4beauty.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=682"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}