Can Photofacial help reduce breast reduction scars?

I had a breast reduction done about 4 years ago and am left with scars on my breasts. I've been to a medical spa and they've said a series of photo facial will improve the appearance. Is this true? Can photo facial help improve the appearnce of scars left from surgery? If not, whats my best bet?

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6 answers to “Can Photofacial help reduce breast...”

A: IPL may reduce scars

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD

Vacular lasers can improve scars AS WE HAVE SHOWN BACK IN 1996. If using an IPL device, it should be very targeted or programmable like the Cutera LimeLight Program A to reduce the scarring. Keep in mind , this is not as powerful as the laser and may not acheive the same results

A: Helpful to have the Photofacial target the blood vessels

Philip Young, MD

More and more research is showing that scar production has a large contribution from the inflammatory component and that blood flow is a perpetuator. Intense pulse light and photofacials (or laser scar revision)can be used to target the blood flow to the scar and hence stiffle the blood flow that is feeding... more

A: Photofacial not helpful for scar treatment

Shawn Allen, MD

Light based treatments can help speed up the resolution of redness in scars but to effect scar remodeling or the thickness of the scar is a stretch. Full ablation or fractionated laser ablation is best. Fraxel nonablative is ok at best... I would recommend seeing a dermatologist or plastic surgeon for help... more

A: Photofacial won't help surgical scars

Steven H. Williams, MD

IPL therapy will not likely help your scars. Therapies that will improve the appearance of some scars depends on the nature of the scar.  If the scar is wide and flat - re-excision with meticulous closure may help If your scar is thick and raised - steroid injection may improve the contour If your scar... more

A: Breast Reduction Scars: Postoperative Correction Options

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Breast reduction scars are usually T-shaped with a vertical component and a large transverse component along the inframmary crease. These scars tend to present with three different problems: Hypertrophic scars Discoloration Widening of scars Treatment of these scars can be done with basic treatments to... more

A: IPL treatment can really only help improve the redness....

Steven Wallach, MD

IPL treatment can really only help improve the redness. I doubt that the scars are still red after 4 years. Most scars mature enough after about 1 year that by then the redness has all but disappeared.

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