l

Keloids are pathologic scars that grow beyond wound bor-ders and act as a benign tumour. The physical, aesthetic and psychological complaints that they cause are of great concern [1,2]. After injury, the skin heals by forming a scar. Dysregula-tion of signalling molecules in the complex healing process can result in keloid formation, with several times more col-lagen synthesis than for normal skin and normotrophic scars, and a higher ratio of type 1 to type 3 collagen [3-7]. The aetiology of keloids remains unknown. Although it is suggested that a relation exists with wound tension, sex hormones, sebaceous gland activity, melanocyte concentra-tion and overlying keratinocytes, as well as with genetic predisposition, no single theory has proven of value in all aspects of keloids [8-12]. The highest incidence is seen in patients with a dark skin tone, whereas Mediterraneans, South Americans, and Asians are slightly less affected, an