Darker skin is also prone to keloid scarring when damage to the skin is inflicted by cuts, surgery procedures or accidents. A keloid is a greatly enlarged scar that projects above the skin surface. The skin heals by formation of scar tissue, which at first is often red and somewhat prominent. As the months pass, a scar usually becomes flat. Unfortunately, sometimes scars enlarge to form firm, smooth, hard growths called keloids.

Keloid scars are excessively thick and fibrous, tumour-like growths that extend beyond a wound's original limit. While not dangerous, keloid scar may itch, cause pain or be tender to the touch. Over time, they can develop claw-like projections into the surrounding skin. In the worse cases, they can be quite disfiguring.  

Causes:

• We don't know why keloids form.
• While most people never form keloids, others develop them after minor injuries and even insect bites or pimples.
• Keloids may form on any part of the body, although the upper chest and upper back are especially prone to keloid formation.
• Keloids are a cosmetic nuisance and never become malignant.
• Keloids occur more frequently in dark-skinned people.

Treatment:

• There is no satisfactory treatment for keloids.
• Some doctors have had success injecting keloids with bleomycin an anticancer drug.
• Others inject a long-acting cortisone into the keloid once a month. After several injections with cortisone, the keloid usually becomes less noticeable and flattens in three to six months time.