A keloid is a type of raised scar that occurs where the skin has healed after an injury. Unlike other raised scars, keloids grow much larger than the wound that caused the scar. They are thick, irregular, and typically appear on the earlobes, shoulders, cheeks, or middle chest. Keloids can be shiny, hairless, lumpy, raised, and vary in size and texture, from soft to firm and rubbery. They can be reddish, brown, or purplish, depending on your skin color. Keloids can be itchy and uncomfortable, and if they are on or near a joint, they can make movement uncomfortable or difficult. Keloids can be triggered by any sort of skin injury, such as an insect bite, acne, an injection, body piercing, burns, hair removal, and even minor scratches and bumps. Sometimes keloids form for no obvious reason. Keloids are not contagious or cancerous. Risk factors for keloids include having brown or Black skin, having a personal or family history of keloids, and being under 30. Keloids are more common in people with brown or Black skin, and the reason for this predisposition is unknown. You cannot prevent keloid scars, but if you are more likely to get them, its recommended to avoid getting tattoos and piercings.