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Laser Scar Removal After Breast Lift?

asked 3 years ago by rachaelann8 in Montclair, New Jersey
Latest answer by Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Question viewed 6,663 times

I am considering laser to remove my breast lift scars. How long after surgery should I wait?

17 answers to Laser Scar Removal After Breast Lift?

Lasers to Treat Scars

No laser can remove scars. There are numerous laser and light technologies purporting to reduce scars, but their use is relatively new and largely unproven by good clinical research studies I would advise allowing 18 months for normal scar maturation before undertaking any laser treatments; then, do so with the advice and supervision of your plastic surgeon.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Scar removal is not a reality

As plastic surgeons we have many tools to help us improve the appearance of scars and laser and light based therapies is one of them. Laser is particularly helpful for immature scars that are pink or slightly raised. Sun protection is also beneficial as is topical massage and silicone sheeting over breast scars. Surgery can also be used to revise scars to relieve tension, redirect, or reposition them to help make them less noticeable. The key word here is improvement, as removal is just not... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Intense pulsed light or laser treatment may improve redness of scars.

There is no way to completely remove a scar from any surgery. When the skin is cut full thickness during an operation, there will always be a scar in that site. We have found that treatment of immature (new) scars with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL or BBL - Broad Band Light) can decrease the redness of these scars more effectively than doing nothing. These treatments, combined with sun avoidance, wearing SPF 30 sunblock over the exposed area, and scar massage with any of the various... more

James C. Grotting, MD
Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Laser treatment of breast lift scars

Lasers have many applications in Aesthetic (Cosmetic) medicine and surgery. For the treatment of scars, pulse dye lasers and pigment lasers (such as the alexandrite laser) have been shown to be beneficial. Rest assured that breast scars generally heal well, but may remain red for a prolonged period of time (up to a year). Furthermore, pigmentation of the scar may occur in some cases. It is unlikely that any laser will completely remove the scar. Instead, the laser will make the scar softer... more

A. Peter Salas, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Laser "scar removal"

There is truthfully no such thing as "laser scar removal". Once you have a cut or incision, you will always have a scar. Scars take quite a while to fully mature, and they go through a normal healing process. Right after surgery (the first few weeks), the skin is touching and the scar might look great. For the first 6-8 weeks after the incision, the body piles up collagen (a building material used to heal scars), and the scars become noticeable and thick. After that, the body... more

Michael A. Bogdan, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Not impressed with the use of lasers for scar improvement

There is no way to 'remove' a breast lift scar or any scar for that matter. There are many techniques that can lessen or camouflage the appearance of a scar. Most scars will mature over time and improve. The trick of plastic surgery is to place the incisions in locations that are know to heal well. In general I would wait at least 6 months and sometimes up to one year until you consider any invasive form of scar revision including laser. I have never been impressed with the use of... more

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Do not laser the scars on your breast after a breast lift.

There is no indication to laser a remodelling scar. Almost always, breast scars become very inconspicuous after a lift given enough time. This might actually be several years. In the mean time, do not laser the scars.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

LASERS and Scars

Scars are permanent....however, I feel that lasers and aggressive scar management after surgery can help minimize their appearance after surgery. Hydroquinone, pulse dye, fractionated CO2, broad band/intense pulse light lasers are all excellent modalities for helping scars vanish. Seek the advice of your board certified plastic surgeon who I am sure has a protocol for post-operative scar treatments....I usually wait at least 1 year post-op. Dr.C

John Philip Connors III, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Laser scar treatment after breast lift

There are several lasers available to improve the appearance of scars, but none of them will erase the scar. Normal scar healing occurs over 1 year or more, and it is difficult to predict the final appearance of your scar immediately after surgery. If your scars are unsightly, and depending on the specifics of the laser, it may be safe to use as early as several weeks out from your surgery.

Olivia Hutchinson, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Scar revision after a breast lift

Patients have multiple options for a scar revision after breast lift. If this card is wide and involves the lower portion of the breast, your plastic surgeon should evaluate your breast tissue to determine if there is enough laxity in the skin that will allow this scar to be cut out completely and replaced with a much thinner one. I would be very cautious about injecting a great deal of steroids into this area. Although steroids may help make the scar flatter, it is important... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Lasers and removing breast scars

Once the skin has been cut, the scar is permanent. A laser can help with improving the color of the scar and sometimes the firmness.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Scar improvement with lasers

Rachaelann8: Lasers are not capable of removing a scar. We use lasers to improve the appearance of a scar, not remove them. Lasers are probably most effective at removing the pink color from a recent or old scar. Lasers can sometimes smooth surface irregularities of a scar. Lasers may be able to improve excessive brown pigment from a scar. You should wait until your plastic surgeon recommends treatment.

Sutton Graham II, MD
Greenville Plastic Surgeon

No such thing as "scar removal"

Your scars will mature with time and massage and can be hastened along with IPL lasers but there is nothing that wil "remove" the scars as they are permanent. They will get substantailly better with time however.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Lasers can improve but not remove breast lift scars.

Hi! Lasers can be very useful. You need different lasers, depending on whether your scars are dark or reddish. See a board certified dermatologist who can offer you different lasers. I recommend waiting 6 months.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Until the day after forever, and you can save money too!

My honest and blunt opinion is that a laser treatment will waste your money. The scars will NOT be removed. The scars may not be improved compared to if they were left alone. I would wait it out, and talk with your surgeon about inexpensive no risk topical treatments that will work. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Scars get better for at least one year

Scars go through a maturation process that takes at least a year. I would not rush into any treatments until at least 12 months have passed, because it is only then that you can see if your scars need any additional treatment. We recommend scar gels and scar pads during the first year after surgery. Nothing will "remove" your breast lift scars. Any laser treatment aimed at scars may make them better, but not completely remove them. I would research any laser treatment very... more

Francisco Canales, MD
Santa Rosa Plastic Surgeon

The healing process for breast lift is long

You need to give yourself at least 6 months to see how the scars heal on their own. You need to ask your surgeon about scarcare with products such as silicones, vitamin e, gels, topicals, etc. Laser is not usually performed in the early period after surgery and does not completely remove scars.