How can I get rid of bad scars from breast augmentation?

There are many things you can do to assist with scar maturation such as massage, lotions like emu oil, and IPL treatments. Even left to their own devices, the scars will generally improve over 1-2 years and get even better over a longer time period.

It sounds as though your relationship with your doctor was suboptimal and that may be causing you to be extra critical of scars that are actually normal. Perhaps seeing another doctor for an evaluation would be wise and could put your mind at ease about your own situation.

What is a bad scar? This means different things to different patients. It is important to look at the characteristics of the scar:size, width, height, color, texture, location, contour. Each characteristic is judged separately and treatment  is customized. Unfortunately, scars cannot be erased, just modified. In general, it is usual practice to give the body time to have the scar process go through its many phases. This may take six to twenty-four months.

It is usually a mistake, or even unnecessary, to prematurely "treat" a scar. Redness will often resolve. Thickness will abate. Texture will soften. I have seen over-treatment of scars that lead to additional problems or at least more expense without benefit. There are a myriad of potential treatments (scar revision, Z- or w-plasties, silicone gel or sheeting, steroid injections, laser treatments, pressure therapies) but some carry significant side-effects or costs, promise results that are unpredictable, or may not address the specific sharacteristic you want to influence. Be patient and work carefully with a reputatble plastic surgeon. Do not jump into treatments before considering the risks and benefits.

Emily,

Things can be done to lessen the appearance of scars but the greatest help is time. You will hear most docs tell you to wait a year for the scar to mature... it will change a lot over this time. The other things that can help really depend on what is going on with the scar.

If the scar is lumpy, bumpy or raised, you may have a hypertrophic scar or keloiding scar. There are different medications that can be injected directly into the scar to help calm it down and flatten it.

If the scar is really dark and red, realize it will fade over time, but there are creams out there that will help fade it. Helpful fading creams will have "hydroquinone" or "kojic acid" in them. There are other products and natural agents that can fade scars but these are the more popular and time tested ones. Silicone tape/creams are also known to help improve the overall appearance, along with vitamin E.

Finally, products that contain retinoic acid can help skin turn over and get newer skin to the forefront.

Realize all of these products have a time and place. Talk to your doctor before using them because, if used too early in the healing process or for too long of a time, complications can certainly arise. Finally, if the scars have widened over time, there is always the option of having the scars revised.

I am so sorry you had that experience. It sounds as if you also had a lift (thus the T-scar).

If it is still early, less than a year, scar creams can help. Examples of scar creams are Scar Guard and Kelokote and they are available without a prescriptions.

If it has been longer than a year, bad scars may sometimes need to be revised with surgery. Seeing a plastic surgeon can help determine if that is an option.