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 are less invasive than surgery but very effective. 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.

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.

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 also a common type of treatment for keloids and other raised scars. This form of treatment has been around for decades. Compression garments or devices are often custom fitted and should be worn for 24 hours a day and 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.

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.

Laser therapy can also be implemented as an effective keloid scar treatment. This type of treatment used pulsed dye lasers to help flatten keloids. Laser therapy has also been known to help reduce redness that is common with 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 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 you're not willing to undergo surgery be assured that there are other less invasive alternatives out there.