At 1Aesthetics, Dr Wan Chee Kwang assesses the keloid’s size, location, thickness, symptoms, and history before recommending treatment. These factors help determine whether injections, laser therapy, surgery, or a combination of approaches is appropriate for keloid scar removal.
The assessment also considers whether the scar is changing over time or causing symptoms such as itching, tenderness, or discomfort.
Keloids can return after scar treatment, so the risk of recurrence is considered from the outset. The aim is to choose an approach that suits the scar while also planning for its longer-term management.
Speak with Dr Wan about suitable options for your keloid scar treatment in Singapore. Same-week appointments available.
📍 1Aesthetics, Medical & Surgery
#14-90 The Central, 8 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059818
(Clarke Quay / Chinatown MRT)
📞 +65 6612 5173
💬 WhatsApp: +65 8489 9962
Mon–Fri 9am–7pm | Sat 9am–3pm
1Aesthetics is a licensed medical clinic in Singapore. Dr Wan Chee Kwang holds a Singapore Medical Council (SMC) licence and is SMC-accredited for Aesthetic Procedures. All treatments are performed in accordance with MOH guidelines.
Keloids and hypertrophic scars are raised, thickened scars caused by excess collagen production during healing. The main difference is how they grow:
Either can develop after an injury or procedure that breaks the skin.
Common triggers
Factors that increase risk
Common sites for keloids:
Treatment may be considered when a scar continues to grow, causes itching or pain, restricts movement, or is a cosmetic concern. The options available will depend on the scar itself and whether it has been treated before.
Some keloids need closer assessment
Keloid scar treatment can be more complex when:
These factors do not necessarily rule out treatment, but they may affect which approach is recommended and what can reasonably be expected from it.
A keloid injection in Singapore helps reduce inflammation and excess collagen production. It is typically a corticosteroid injection, which Dr Wan may combine with other injectable medicines, including:
These are less commonly used in Singapore because of cost and availability.
The concentration, dose, and injection depth need to be carefully controlled to reduce complications such as skin thinning or indentations.
There are two types of laser keloid removal:
A CO2 laser targets water in the scar tissue. It removes or remodels thickened tissue in controlled layers, which can reduce the bulk of a raised keloid and improve its surface. CO2 laser treatment is often combined with injections.
A vascular laser targets blood vessels within the keloid. Damaging these vessels can reduce redness and gradually reduce the size of the scar. Longer wavelengths, such as 940 nm diode lasers, may be used for larger, thicker keloids, while shorter wavelengths, such as 585 nm, may be used for flatter scars with persistent redness. Vascular lasers may also help reduce inflammation, itching, and discomfort in some cases.
Both laser types usually require several sessions and may be combined with injections.
In selected cases, radiofrequency ablation may be used as part of a minimally invasive or surgical treatment plan. It may help reduce raised scar tissue, improve procedural precision, reduce bleeding during tissue removal, and support combination treatment for thicker keloids. Suitability depends on the keloid's depth, location, and recurrence risk.
Surgery may be considered for large, thick, or symptomatic keloids that have not responded well to non-surgical treatment. As keloid scar removal carries a high risk of recurrence, surgery is usually followed by additional treatment.
Depending on the keloid, the surgical approach used will be one of the following:
| Technique | What It Does | Recommended For |
| Shave Excision | Removes the raised portion of the keloid to flatten the skin surface | Superficial scars with a narrow base; not suitable for thicker or deeply seated scars |
| Full-Thickness Extra-Lesional Excision | Removes the keloid beyond its visible margins | Larger or more aggressive scars where complete removal is the priority |
| Intralesional Fillet Flap Technique | Preserves surrounding skin while reducing scar bulk | Reducing wound tension during healing and lowering recurrence risk |
CO2 lasers, vascular lasers, and high-frequency radiofrequency devices may also be used during surgery when appropriate. They can control bleeding and limit damage to surrounding tissue.
Silicone gels, silicone sheets, and pressure therapy are typically used as maintenance or prevention measures rather than primary treatments for established keloids. They may help flatten early or mild scars, reduce itch, and protect the scar surface during healing.
One of the most important things to understand about keloids is that treatment rarely ends with a single procedure. Recurrence is a defining feature of keloid biology, and the choice of treatment has a direct bearing on how likely a keloid is to come back.
Surgical excision alone carries a recurrence rate of 45% to 100%, and recurring keloids are often larger than the original. This is why excision by itself is rarely recommended without additional post-operative therapy.
Combining surgery with adjunct treatments reduces that risk substantially. When excision is followed by intralesional corticosteroid injections, most studies cite recurrence rates below 50%, with some protocols achieving rates as low as 9%. Timing matters too: a systematic review and meta-analysis found that post-operative steroid injection produces significantly lower recurrence rates than injections given before or during surgery.
For non-surgical approaches, steroid injections used as a standalone treatment can be effective for softer, less established keloids. Response rates range from 50% to 100%, with recurrence rates of 9% to 50% in scars that resolve completely.
Published recurrence rates vary widely across studies because of differences in scar type, treatment method, follow-up duration, and patient risk factors. Indicative recurrence rates reported in medical literature include:
| Treatment Approach | Approximate Recurrence Rate |
| Surgical excision alone | 45–100% |
| Excision + post-operative steroid injections | 9–50% |
| Intralesional steroid injections (standalone) | 9–50% |
| Intralesional excision (e.g. KILE technique) | ~13% (pooled) |
| Excision + radiotherapy | 3–32% |
At 1Aesthetics, suppression treatment starts at the time of surgery rather than after a keloid begins to return. The timing follows the stages of wound healing:
| Timing | Purpose |
| At the time of surgery | The first injection is given during the procedure to control excess collagen production from the start. |
| Week 2 | Another injection may be given once the wound has closed to manage early scar formation. |
| Weeks 4–8 | Further injections may be given as the scar remodels. The dose and concentration are adjusted according to how the scar is healing. |
| Week 8 onwards | Keloid treatment may continue as the scar matures to reduce the risk of recurrence. |
Most patients require more than three injections, with treatment typically continuing for six to 12 months. The number of injections, dose, combination of medicines, and time between sessions are adjusted according to how the scar responds.
If your keloid has returned after previous treatment, Dr Wan can assess the scar and discuss whether a suppression plan is suitable and what follow-up may involve.
Step 1: Consultation and assessment
Dr Wan will examine your keloid and ask about its history, including any previous treatment. After the assessment, you will receive a treatment plan with the recommended approach, likely number of sessions, and a written fee estimate.
Step 2: The procedure
For injections and laser keloid removal, numbing cream is applied beforehand. The procedure itself can take from a few minutes to around 30 minutes.
For surgery, numbing cream is followed by local anaesthetic injections to numb the area. Surgery usually takes one to three hours, depending on the size and complexity of the keloid.
Step 3: Recovery and downtime
Recovery depends on the treatment. After surgery:
Step 4: Follow-up and suppression
Dr Wan will provide wound care instructions and a follow-up schedule after the procedure. If suppression therapy is part of your keloid treatment plan, follow-up will continue during the healing period to help manage the risk of recurrence.
The cost of a keloid treatment in Singapore varies depending on the number, size, location, and complexity of your keloids. Dr Wan will confirm your treatment fee after the consultation.
| Treatment | Estimated Fee (SGD) | What’s included | Typical sessions |
| Steroid injections | $100–$300 per session | Steroid injected directly into the keloid under numbing cream. Other injectable medicines may be added if needed. | Usually 3–6 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart |
| Surgical excision | $1,000–$3,000+ per keloid | Local anaesthesia, surgical removal, wound closure, and post-surgery review | Usually one surgery, followed by treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence |
| Laser treatment (CO2 / vascular) | $300–$1,200 per session | Laser treatment under numbing cream, often combined with injections in the same session | Usually 3–6 sessions, depending on the keloid and how it responds |
Fees may vary if you have several keloids, a larger or more complex scar, or need additional treatment and follow-up after surgery.
Insurance and MediSave coverage depends on your plan and the reason for treatment. Treatment for symptoms such as persistent pain or restricted movement may be considered for coverage, while treatment for cosmetic reasons is generally not covered.
Coverage cannot be guaranteed. Check with your insurer before proceeding with keloid treatment. Our team at 1Aesthetics can provide the necessary clinical documents, if available.
Some keloids cause persistent itch, aching, stinging, or tenderness. While these symptoms are best addressed through medical treatment, some measures may provide temporary relief in the meantime:
Seek medical review if your scar becomes more painful, red, or swollen, or starts growing quickly. Over-the-counter creams may ease symptoms temporarily but are unlikely to reduce an established keloid.
Dr Wan Chee Kwang
MBBS (Singapore) | MRCS (Edinburgh)
Dr Wan is the founder and Medical Director of 1Aesthetics, Medical & Surgery. He is licensed by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) and SMC-accredited for Aesthetic Procedures. 1Aesthetics is a licensed medical clinic operating in accordance with Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines.
Dr Wan treats keloids in different areas of the body, including ear keloids after piercings, post-surgical scars, acne-related keloids, and keloids that have returned after previous treatment. His approach combines appropriate removal methods with follow-up suppression treatment to manage the risk of recurrence.
If your keloid has returned after treatment or you have previously been told that surgery is not suitable, you can consult Dr Wan for an independent assessment
To see Dr Wan Chee Kwang, contact 1Aesthetics by phone, WhatsApp, or the form below. He will assess your keloid, discuss suitable treatment options, and provide a written fee estimate after your consultation.
1Aesthetics, Medical & Surgery
#14-90 The Central Tower 1, 8 Eu Tong Sen Street, Singapore 059818
(Clarke Quay / Chinatown MRT)
Phone: +65 6612 5173
WhatsApp: +65 8489 9962
Monday to Friday: 9am–7pm | Saturday: 9am–3pm
Medically reviewed by Dr Wan Chee Kwang. Last reviewed: September 2026.
Address:
1Aesthetics, Medical & Surgery
#14-90 The Central Tower 1
8 Eu Tong Sen Street
Singapore 059818
Mon-Fri 9 AM to 7 PM
Sat 9 AM to 3 PM
Phone / WhatsApp:
+65 66125173 / +65 84899962
Email:
[email protected]