Keloid scars are one of the most difficult types of scar tissue to treat because even through surgical keloid removal there will always be a high probability of recurrence. This is why most doctors will insist that you exhaust all non-surgical options before trying surgery.

Luckily, there are several non surgical options to help you deal with keloid scars. Any one of these can be used on their own or in combination with each other as well as with surgery. In case you're wondering, non surgical alternatives include:

*Corticosteroid injections, also known as cortisone or steroid injections

*Compression Devices or Compression Therapy

*Silicone Sheets

*Laser Therapy

*Cryotherapy

Corticosteroid injects are one of the most common forms of keloid treatment. These injections can help flatten out the scar tissue. Keloids will become less apparent, but they will still feel different from the surrounding tissue.

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. Your doctor will evaluate the situation and suggest the best course of action.

Another form of treatment that has been around for decades is compression therapy. It is used to treat burn scars and all types of raised scars. 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.

Other elements used, such as silicone sheets, are used to help flatten all types of scars, including keloids and other hypertrophic scars. Silicone sheets should be worn for a few hours a day for several weeks.

Silicone sheets are usually sold as an OTC treatment and can be cut to fit the size of the scar. Despite their success rate, they are slightly less effective than compression therapy, which is an older type of treatment that is still used to deal with keloid scars.

Laser therapy can also be implemented as an effective keloid scar treatment. Pulsed dye lasers are used to flatten keloids. Laser therapy can also help the redness that is common with most keloid scars.

Carbon dioxide lasers can also be used to treat keloids and to help reduce the recurrence of keloid formation. If you feel uncertain about which type of treatment you need, consult with your doctor.

Finally, cryotherapy can be used to treat smaller scars and scars that are in areas that are difficult to compress. With this type of treatment liquid nitrogen is used to flatten the affected tissue, but be wary because it can make the treated area look darker than the surrounding tissue.