Figure 1.

Objective histopathological analysis: definition of keloid size (mm²), hyalinised keloid collagen (HKC) area (mm²) and ratio of HKC area to keloid size. Keloid size was determined by using Image J software to measure the total cross‐sectional surface area of the keloid where it was bisected at its greatest dimensions (i.e. the area within the black line running around the polypoid‐shaped earlobe keloid in the left‐hand image; the straight black line at the bottom of the keloid connects it with the adjacent normal skin). The area occupied by the HKCs was measured by using Image J software within a 0·5 mm margin (dashed line in both images). The HKC area relative to keloid size was calculated according to the following formula: HKC area ratio (%) = HKC area (mm²)/keloid size (mm²) × 100. (Elastica Masson‐Goldner stain, original magnification ×4, ×40.)