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.

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

Usually the first option your doctor will give you are steroid injections. 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.

You can use steroid injections before, during, and after surgery as well. When injections are used in this manner, especially when undergoing keloid scar removal surgery, then keloid recurrence can be greatly hindered. The doctor will evaluate your situation and then determine the best course of action.

Compression therapy is another type of treatment for keloids and raised scars. Compression therapy is one of the oldest forms of scar treatment. 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 also used to help flatten keloids and other hypertrophic scars. In fact, they can be used on all types of scars, not just keloids. Silicone sheets should be worn for a few hours a day for several weeks.

These sheets can often be found at your drugstore. Just as with any other type of bandage you will need to cut it and fit it to the affected area. This is a good alternative for keloid treatment.

Laser therapy can also be implemented as an effective keloid scar treatment. In this case, pulsed dye lasers are used to flatten keloids. Laser therapy has also been known to help reduce redness that is common with most keloid scars.

Cryotherapy is especially effective in treating smaller keloids caused by piercings. This type of treatment freezes the keloid scar using liquid nitrogen to help flatten its appearance. Although it has proven very effective in treating keloids, cryotherapy can also darken the skin surrounding the scar.

Remember to consult your doctor about all 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 surgery doesn't seem like your alternative, keep looking, because there is a viable treatment out there.