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Options For Hyperpigmentation of Breast Reduction Scars on Light Skin? (photo)
asked 3 months ago by daisy91
Latest answer by Scott R. Brundage, M.D.
Question viewed 365 times
Tags: 6 months post-op, hyperpigmentation, options
I had a breast reduction done 6 months ago at 19. I do wish more tissue had been taken, but that's not my main issue. I've had darkened pigmentation around the scars since shortly after surgery, and it has not improved at all in the 6 months after despite using silicone sheeting and BioOil. I have been trying to find other examples of women with a similar problem, but it seems much more common in darker skin. I am Caucasian with fairly light skin. What are my options to deal with this?
8 answers to Options For Hyperpigmentation of Breast Reduction Scars on Light Skin? (photo)
+3
Hyperpigmentation in Breast Reduction Scars
Pigmentation of the vertical scar following breast reduction can occur for two reasons. It either represents residual peripheral areolar pigment that was not excised, or occurred as result of the inflammation associated with surgery and the healing process (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, PIH).
In women who have large areolas, it may not be possible to remove all of the areolar pigment with the design of the breast reduction, and so some of the peripheral areolar pigment may remain...
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+2
Dark Scars after Breast Reduction
Hi there-
Breast reduction scars can be more conspicuous than we would like for several reasons. While it is possible that the color is related to your surgeon's inability to completely excise pigmented areolar skin at the time of your surgery, it looks to me in your photo more like your scars are simply immature.
In fair skin types, the pinkish-brown color that occurs as a result of the inflammation that is a normal part of the healing process can persist for some time. Rest...
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+1
Scar Hyperpigmentation
As others have stated it will take a year for scars to settle. Something that you may want to try is topical 4% hydroquinone. This is a prescription but also comes mixed with Glycolics to potentiate the effect. It is considered a "skin bleaching cream" but actually just slows the deposition of pigment from the melanocytes (pigment cells in your skin). You will need to use it for 4 months to see if it will help and avoid UV exposure (tanning booth). If this does not help and a year...
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Scott R. Brundage, M.D.
Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
Grand Rapids Plastic Surgeon
+1
6 months after breast reduction and scars
Scars take about a year and sometimes longer for the redness to go away. Give it more time to settle down.
+1
Dark Scars after Breast Reduction
Hello Daisy,
As the others have suggested, I believe your hyperpigmented scars are actually residual areolar skin.
I would wait a full year, and reassess. If you feel that the appearance is unacceptable, you may consider a scar revision, possibly with further reduction as well if you feel you are still too big. This will allow the surgeon to fully excise areolar skin and will probably leave you with light colored scars.
Best of luck!
+1
Bad scars after breast reduction
Breast reduction healing is often dependent on skin type, and tension in the closure. The vertical scar you are having trouble with will pale out over time and look much better. Occasionally there can be a bit of the the areolar skin left in the vertical limb, and a revision can help clear it up.
Best of luck, peterejohnsonmd.com
Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1
Breast reduction result
FIrst, I think you did not have a sufficient reduction, as you suggest. The breasts are still very large and will go on to sag, a well as to produce the same pain pattern in your neck and shoulder as before. You are doing the right thing by using silicone sheeting. Scarring can take up to a year to resolve. Your scars appear spread apart and this may require scar revision to improve their aesthetic appearance.
+1
Hyperpigmented Scars in Breast Reductions
There can be different causes for scars to have skin darkening around them. Sometimes in a breast reduction, there is a little portion of the darker areolar skin that ends up on the vertical scar as the breast "envelope" is being brought together. That cause of darkening is most common in women with wide areolas. If that is the cause of your scar's hyperpigmentation it will not go away. It may be possible at a later date to excise the darkened...
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