Every type of scar will require a special type of treatment. For the most part, they can all be treated with surgery and laser therapy, however, if you're trying to treat keloid scars then it's a bit more complicated than that. Keloid scars tend to grow indefinitely and recur after surgical excision.

Fortunately, there are other forms of keloid removal that have proven to be successful and less invasive than surgery. You can either use one of these procedure or a combination of them depending on the size and location of the keloid. Here are some alternatives you can look at.

Steroid injections are generally the first option your doctor will choose to treat your keloid(s). These injections are used when trying to flatten scar tissue which will help make keloid scars less noticeable, nevertheless, the flattened keloid will still have a different feel than regular skin surrounding it.

Steroid injections can be used before, during and after surgery as well. Injections are used in this manner during keloid scar removal, to hinder the development of new keloid scars. The doctor will evaluate your situation and then determine 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. Compression therapy is one of the oldest forms of scar treatment. Compression garments or devices are often custom fitted and should be worn for 24 hours a day and up to a year or more.

Other elements used, such as silicone sheets, are used to help flatten all types of scars, including keloids and other hypertrophic scars. The treatment includes wearing these sheets for a few hours a day for several weeks.

You can usually find these sheets at your local drugstore. They are quite effective and easy to use and simply need to be cut to fit the affected area.

Another effective keloid scar treatment procedure is the application of laser therapy. In this case, pulsed dye lasers are used to flatten keloids. Laser therapy can also help the redness that is common with most keloid scars.

Smaller keloids, especially those caused by piercings, can be treated with cryotherapy. This type of treatment is done using liquid nitrogen to help flatten the keloids. Even though it is very successful in treating keloids, cryotherapy can also darken the skin surrounding the keloid.

Remember to consult your doctor about all your possibilities. If surgery is an option, it is quite possible that it will be combined with one or more of the previously mentioned alternatives. However, if surgery doesn't seem like your alternative, keep looking, because there is a viable treatment out there.