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Each type of scar will require a different type of treatment. For the most part, all scar types can be treated effectively using surgery, however, if you're trying to treat a keloid scar then it's a bit more complicated because keloids tend to grow indefinitely and recur after surgical excision.

Luckily, there are other forms of keloid removal that have proven to be quite successful and less invasive than surgery. Depending on the size and location of the keloid you can either use one of these procedure to treat the scar or a combination of them. Here are some alternatives you can look into.

Steroid injections are generally the first option your doctor will choose to treat your keloid(s). These injections are used to help flatten scar tissue and make keloid scars less noticeable, however, the flattened keloid will often feel different than the regular skin.

Steroid injections can be used at any time before, during, or after surgery. When injections are used in this manner, especially when undergoing keloid scar removal surgery, then keloid recurrence can be greatly hindered. Your doctor will evaluate the situation and suggest the best course of action.

Another alternative for keloid treatment, i.e. compression therapy, can be used on burn scars and any type of raised scars. This form of treatment has been around for decades. Compression devices or garments are usually custom fitted and have to be worn for 24 hours a day for up to a year or more.

Silicone sheets are another alternative used to help flatten all types of scars, including most keloid scars and hypertrophic scars. Silicone sheets should be worn for a few hours a day for several weeks.

These sheets are readily available in your drugstore. They are very effective and a good alternative for keloid treatment. In fact, usage is quite simple. All you need to do is cut the sheet down to size so that it will fit the affected area.

Laser therapy can also be implemented as an effective keloid scar treatment. This type of treatment used pulsed dye lasers to help flatten keloids. In fact, the use of laser therapy has proven so beneficial that it can also help reduce the redness that is common in most keloid scars.

Smaller keloids that have formed due to piercings can be treated with cryotherapy. This type of treatment is done using liquid nitrogen to help flatten the keloids. Although it has proven very effective in treating keloids, cryotherapy can also darken the skin surrounding the scar.

Remember that it is important to consult your doctor about all of your possibilities. If the doctor suggests surgery as a treatment option, then you can combine it with one or more of the previously mentioned alternatives. However, if you're not too sure what treatment option is right for you, rest assured that there is a viable treatment out there.