Every type of scar will require a special 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 are less invasive than surgery but very effective. 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.
Usually the first option your doctor will give you are steroid injections. These injections help flatten scar tissue and make keloid scars less noticeable. However, the flattened keloid will still have a different feel than 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. The doctor will evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action.
Compression therapy is another type of treatment for keloids and raised scars. This type of treatment is one of the oldest scar removal alternatives. The compression devices and garments used are usually custom fitted and have to be worn for 24 hours a day and sometimes 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. If you are undergoing this type of treatment you should be wearing these sheets for a few hours a day for several weeks.
These sheets can often be found at 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.
Fortunately, there are other forms of keloid removal that are less invasive than surgery but very effective. 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.
Usually the first option your doctor will give you are steroid injections. These injections help flatten scar tissue and make keloid scars less noticeable. However, the flattened keloid will still have a different feel than 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. The doctor will evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action.
Compression therapy is another type of treatment for keloids and raised scars. This type of treatment is one of the oldest scar removal alternatives. The compression devices and garments used are usually custom fitted and have to be worn for 24 hours a day and sometimes 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. If you are undergoing this type of treatment you should be wearing these sheets for a few hours a day for several weeks.
These sheets can often be found at 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. In this case, pulsed dye lasers are used to 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, especially those caused by piercings, can be treated with cryotherapy. This form of treatment uses liquid nitrogen to flatten the keloids. Even though it is successful in treating keloids, cryotherapy can also make the treated area darker than the surrounding skin.
Remember that it is important that you consult with your doctor to find out what possibilities you do or don't have. If surgery is a viable option for you, then it is quite possible that it can be combined 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. By: Martha Fitzharris
Smaller keloids, especially those caused by piercings, can be treated with cryotherapy. This form of treatment uses liquid nitrogen to flatten the keloids. Even though it is successful in treating keloids, cryotherapy can also make the treated area darker than the surrounding skin.
Remember that it is important that you consult with your doctor to find out what possibilities you do or don't have. If surgery is a viable option for you, then it is quite possible that it can be combined 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. By: Martha Fitzharris