Does Ethnic Background Increase Your Risk Of Scarring After Surgery?

African Americans have a sevenfold increased risk for developing keloid scarring following surgery in the head and neck area compared with Caucasians. According to a study presented at a recent medical meeting, a retrospective chart review of 6,692 patients who had head and neck procedures requiring incisions between 2005 and 2009, revealed that the rate of keloid scarring was 0.8% in African Americans, 0.1% in Caucasians, and 0.2% in other ethnic groups.