Hypertrophic scar revision after Breast Reduction?

I am an African American 7 months post op breast reduction. I have painful hypertrophic scars around the areola, as well as horrible scaring from where my plastic surgeon placed these plastic pins to guide him through the surgery. They came through my skin and had to be removed whenever they came to surface and out of the incision, otherwise it would be terribly painful. I also have healed with the marks of sutures. Am I candidate for revision? How soon can revision be determined?

3 answers to “Hypertrophic scar revision after...”

A: Revision of hypertrophic scars

Steven Wallach, MD

Scar revision can sometimes be performed for bresat reduction scars.  If they are keloidal they may need additional treatment with steroids, or silcone sheeting etc.. Hypertrophic scars can sometimes be revised and treated in a similar fashion. 

A: True keloids can be difficult and recurrent

Michael C. Edwards, MD

It sounds as though your skin is very reactive to any trauma (such as a surgical incision). I'm not sure what you are referring to in regards pins for guidance but nonetheless you sound as though the smaller scars healed in the same way. The early treatment of keloids is hopefully avoiding them altogether but... more

A: Proceed with caution and low expectations.

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Unfortunately, treatment for hypertrophic scars in Afro-Americans is unpredictable atr best. In performing scar revisions, you have to ask yourself what characteristic of scarring you are trying to diminsh. You might want to try lower risk treatment such as silicone sheeting, pressure, even small amounts of... more

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