What potential adverse effect might occur after treating a keloid-prone patient with laser?

Treating a keloid-prone patient with laser carries the risk of increased scar formation or keloid development due to the nature of how keloids form in response to trauma or injury. Keloids occur when the body produces excessive collagen in response to skin injury, leading to raised scars that can be larger than the original wound.

When laser treatment is applied, it may inadvertently provoke the skin's healing response. For individuals who are already predisposed to keloid formation, this can increase the likelihood of developing a keloid after the procedure. The laser can disrupt the skin and stimulate collagen production, escalating the chance of a keloid emerging from what may have been a controlled treatment.

Other possible adverse effects listed, such as an immediate burning sensation, reduced pain threshold, or rash and itching, can occur to varying degrees with many dermatological procedures, but these are typically transient and less severe in comparison to the long-term risk associated with keloid formation in susceptible individuals. This nuanced understanding emphasizes the importance of carefully assessing a patient's history and response to previous treatments before proceeding with laser therapy, particularly for those who have shown keloid tendencies.