A hypertrophic scar at the elbow 6 months after an operation. If the scar continues to grow, it will be a keloid. The definitional border between a hypertrophic scar and a keloid is imprecise. A hypertrophic scar often becomes thinner in the course of time, whereas a keloid can continue growing even for decades. Surgical operation of a hypertrophic scar and a keloid should be left in the hands of a plastic surgeon. It is worthwhile to consider cryotherapy, possibly combined with a glucocorticoid injection into the keloid area.