ABSTRACT
Over the centuries, the keloid phenomenon has remained an enigma. Although it was believed that trauma is the initiating event of keloid formation, the remainder of the process required clarification. The onset of hypertrophic scars and keloids is the sequel to abnormal wound healing processes, and although the processes are gradual, variability occurs in shape and size. Clinically, hypertrophic scars regress spontaneously and remain within the boundaries of the wound area, whereas keloids do not regress and tend to overgrow the boundaries of the wound area. Keloids may grow to gigantic sizes that can be disfiguring and even crippling (Figs. 1 and 2). They are predominantly benign dermal tumors characterized by excessive collagen production. According to the literature, the etiology of keloids is multifactorial.
