You can develop a scar through a skin injury or cut. Scars can be categorized into three groups: atrophic or sunken scars, hypertrophic or raised scars and keloid scars. Of these groups, the most difficult to treat are keloids and here's why.

Keloid scars can arise from any type of wound: cuts, burns and inflammatory reactions such as acne. As they develop, they begin to extend past the edges of the original site of damage. Sometimes, keloids keep growing for years.

This is why keloid scars are difficult to eliminate. Keloid removal through surgical excision is definitely an option especially in people with large keloids. However, the high recurrence rate of these scars can make the surgery less than successful.

Looking for an Effective Keloid Treatment Plan

Keloid scar removal does not depend solely on surgery, but also on complementary procedures that help minimize the recurrence rate. The most common procedures include steroid injections and compression therapy. Because it is this combination of surgery, injections, and compression that make scar removal successful.

Steroid injections can also be used before and after surgery to help flatten out the scar. The doctor may also choose to inject steroids directly into the site of the scar during the excision process. Studies have shown that this helps reduce the rate of recurrence.

Compression therapy has also been used to treat keloid scars for a long time. Compression devices are custom made and should be worn for 24 hours a day to be the most effective. As soon as the wound heals, the doctor will indicate what type of compression garment or bandage you should use.

Compression garments and bandages are usually worn for long periods of time which may mean anywhere from several months to a year or more. No one really knows how it works, but may speculate that the restriction of oxygen help reduce the biological processes that lead to the development of keloids.

Other Options for Keloid Treatment

Other than the procedures mentioned above, there are a variety of other options for the treatment of keloids.

For example, a therapy that uses a pulsed-dye laser can be effective in flattening out keloids and helping reduce the redness they present. You'll need to undergo several sessions before seeing drastic results, but that shouldn't be much of a problem because this is a painless procedure.

Some doctors use silicone sheets to help reduce the appearance of keloids and other types of scars. They work much like compression devices, but are only worn a couple of hours every day.

If your keloid scar is small you can treat it with cryotherapy. The keloid is frozen using liquid nitrogen. This therapy flattens the scar but can also cause the site to take on a darkened appearance.