[Keloid Treatment Survey] 67.7% Leave Raised Scars Untreated; Huge Satisfaction Gap Between Steroid Injections (58.3%) and Surgical Excision (82.4%) - Plastic Surgeon Explains Recurrence Rates and Costs
A survey by Isee Clinic reveals that 67.7% of people ignore raised scars. It highlights that surgical excision combined with radiation therapy offers an 82.4% satisfaction rate, significantly outperforming steroid injections.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 18:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 09:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 09:49 (17 min after Collected)
[Conclusion] Key points of this survey
[Conclusion] Keloids and hypertrophic scars have different criteria for treatment selection. While hypertrophic scars often improve with compression therapy or steroid injections, keloids are most effectively treated with a combination of surgical excision and post-operative radiation therapy. Although treatments are covered by insurance, early consultation with a specialist is crucial due to strong constitutional factors.
- 67.7% of respondents stated they "leave untreated" their raised scars.
- Only 18.3% of people "correctly understand" the difference between keloids and hypertrophic scars.
- Satisfaction with surgical excision combined with radiation therapy was 82.4%, significantly exceeding the 58.3% for steroid injections alone.
Glossary
■ What is a Keloid?
A keloid is a condition where fibroblasts proliferate excessively during the wound healing process, causing a raised area that spreads beyond the original wound into surrounding normal skin. Genetic predispositions are involved, and it rarely shrinks naturally. It frequently occurs on the anterior chest, shoulders, and earlobes.
■ What is a Hypertrophic Scar?
A hypertrophic scar refers to a red, raised scar that remains within the boundaries of the original wound. Unlike keloids, it tends to improve naturally over time, and conservative treatments like compression therapy are effective.
■ What is Kenacort Injection (Local Steroid Injection)?
A Kenacort injection is a treatment where a steroid drug called triamcinolone acetonide is injected directly into the lesion. It inhibits collagen production and is effective in reducing the elevation, itching, and pain of keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Comparison of Treatments for Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars
Comparison Item | Steroid Injection | Compression Therapy | Surgical Excision + Radiation
Effectiveness | Effective for mild to moderate | Effective for mild | Effective for moderate to severe
Recurrence Rate | 40-60% | 30-50% | 10-20% (with radiation)
Treatment Duration | 3-6 months (once a month) | 6 months to 1+ years | Surgery 1 day + Radiation 2-3 days
Estimated Cost (30% co-pay) | 500-1,500 JPY/session | 1,000-3,000 JPY/month | 15,000-50,000 JPY
Pain/Burden | Pain during injection | Almost none | Pain for 1-2 weeks post-surgery
Insurance Coverage | Covered | Covered | Covered
*Figures are based on over 30,000 dermatological surgery cases performed by our supervising physician. Individual results vary depending on the severity and location of symptoms.
Isee Clinic (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and Omiya branches), operated by Medical Corporation Tetsuyuukai, conducted an awareness survey on keloids and hypertrophic scars (raised scars). Under a supervising physician with a track record of over 30,000 surgeries in skin tumors and dermatological surgery, our clinic provides dermatology and plastic surgery treatments centered on insurance-covered care.
Survey Background
"Keloids" and "hypertrophic scars," where scars become red and raised after surgery or injury, are conditions often accompanied by itching and pain, beyond just cosmetic concerns. However, cases are frequently left untreated because people believe "it's just my constitution" or "I don't know where to get treated." Therefore, we conducted this survey to understand the reality of those suffering from raised scars and to raise awareness about choosing the appropriate treatment methods.
Survey Overview
Target: Men and women in their 20s to 60s nationwide who have experienced surgery or injury in the past and have had raised scars.
Survey Period: April 6 - April 15, 2026
Survey Method: Internet survey
Number of Respondents: 300
Survey Results
[Survey Result] 67.7% leave raised scars untreated, only 20% visit a medical institution
Question: How are you currently dealing with your experience of red, raised scars?
It was found that approximately 70% leave their raised scars untreated. Since keloids are hard to heal naturally and can expand if left alone, awareness for early medical consultation is necessary.
[Survey Result] Only 18.3% correctly understand the difference between keloids and hypertrophic scars
Question: How well do you understand the difference between "keloids" and "hypertrophic scars"?
Over 80% do not understand the difference. Since optimal treatments differ, the importance of receiving an accurate diagnosis is suggested.
[Survey Result] The top reason for leaving it untreated is "I thought it wouldn't cure because of my constitution" at 38.4%
Question: What is the most applicable reason for leaving your raised scar untreated? (Only for those who leave it untreated)
Misconceptions that "it won't cure" and lack of information about which department to visit are the main reasons for neglect. It is necessary to make it widely known that keloids can be treated under insurance and that specialized treatment is available at plastic surgery or dermatology departments.
[Survey Result] Satisfaction with surgical excision + radiation therapy is highest at 82.4%
Question: Asked to those who have received keloid treatment. Which treatments have you experienced? (Multiple answers)
[Conclusion] Keloids and hypertrophic scars have different criteria for treatment selection. While hypertrophic scars often improve with compression therapy or steroid injections, keloids are most effectively treated with a combination of surgical excision and post-operative radiation therapy. Although treatments are covered by insurance, early consultation with a specialist is crucial due to strong constitutional factors.
- 67.7% of respondents stated they "leave untreated" their raised scars.
- Only 18.3% of people "correctly understand" the difference between keloids and hypertrophic scars.
- Satisfaction with surgical excision combined with radiation therapy was 82.4%, significantly exceeding the 58.3% for steroid injections alone.
Glossary
■ What is a Keloid?
A keloid is a condition where fibroblasts proliferate excessively during the wound healing process, causing a raised area that spreads beyond the original wound into surrounding normal skin. Genetic predispositions are involved, and it rarely shrinks naturally. It frequently occurs on the anterior chest, shoulders, and earlobes.
■ What is a Hypertrophic Scar?
A hypertrophic scar refers to a red, raised scar that remains within the boundaries of the original wound. Unlike keloids, it tends to improve naturally over time, and conservative treatments like compression therapy are effective.
■ What is Kenacort Injection (Local Steroid Injection)?
A Kenacort injection is a treatment where a steroid drug called triamcinolone acetonide is injected directly into the lesion. It inhibits collagen production and is effective in reducing the elevation, itching, and pain of keloids and hypertrophic scars.
Comparison of Treatments for Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars
Comparison Item | Steroid Injection | Compression Therapy | Surgical Excision + Radiation
Effectiveness | Effective for mild to moderate | Effective for mild | Effective for moderate to severe
Recurrence Rate | 40-60% | 30-50% | 10-20% (with radiation)
Treatment Duration | 3-6 months (once a month) | 6 months to 1+ years | Surgery 1 day + Radiation 2-3 days
Estimated Cost (30% co-pay) | 500-1,500 JPY/session | 1,000-3,000 JPY/month | 15,000-50,000 JPY
Pain/Burden | Pain during injection | Almost none | Pain for 1-2 weeks post-surgery
Insurance Coverage | Covered | Covered | Covered
*Figures are based on over 30,000 dermatological surgery cases performed by our supervising physician. Individual results vary depending on the severity and location of symptoms.
Isee Clinic (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Tokyo, and Omiya branches), operated by Medical Corporation Tetsuyuukai, conducted an awareness survey on keloids and hypertrophic scars (raised scars). Under a supervising physician with a track record of over 30,000 surgeries in skin tumors and dermatological surgery, our clinic provides dermatology and plastic surgery treatments centered on insurance-covered care.
Survey Background
"Keloids" and "hypertrophic scars," where scars become red and raised after surgery or injury, are conditions often accompanied by itching and pain, beyond just cosmetic concerns. However, cases are frequently left untreated because people believe "it's just my constitution" or "I don't know where to get treated." Therefore, we conducted this survey to understand the reality of those suffering from raised scars and to raise awareness about choosing the appropriate treatment methods.
Survey Overview
Target: Men and women in their 20s to 60s nationwide who have experienced surgery or injury in the past and have had raised scars.
Survey Period: April 6 - April 15, 2026
Survey Method: Internet survey
Number of Respondents: 300
Survey Results
[Survey Result] 67.7% leave raised scars untreated, only 20% visit a medical institution
Question: How are you currently dealing with your experience of red, raised scars?
It was found that approximately 70% leave their raised scars untreated. Since keloids are hard to heal naturally and can expand if left alone, awareness for early medical consultation is necessary.
[Survey Result] Only 18.3% correctly understand the difference between keloids and hypertrophic scars
Question: How well do you understand the difference between "keloids" and "hypertrophic scars"?
Over 80% do not understand the difference. Since optimal treatments differ, the importance of receiving an accurate diagnosis is suggested.
[Survey Result] The top reason for leaving it untreated is "I thought it wouldn't cure because of my constitution" at 38.4%
Question: What is the most applicable reason for leaving your raised scar untreated? (Only for those who leave it untreated)
Misconceptions that "it won't cure" and lack of information about which department to visit are the main reasons for neglect. It is necessary to make it widely known that keloids can be treated under insurance and that specialized treatment is available at plastic surgery or dermatology departments.
[Survey Result] Satisfaction with surgical excision + radiation therapy is highest at 82.4%
Question: Asked to those who have received keloid treatment. Which treatments have you experienced? (Multiple answers)