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How Can I Get Rid of Enlarged, Scarred Areola After Breast Augmentation?

asked 1 year ago by Miami8724 in Miami, FL
Latest answer by Thomas Fiala, MD
Question viewed 9,193 times
Tags: areola, enlarged, scar

Its been now 2 years since my surgery and the scar is more noticable than before. I went to the surgeon that did the procedure and he told me their was nothing more he could do. I am very upset as I was so excited to get my implants. Now I am faced with this. The aereola shows through my bra, and when wearing a bikini top I feel as if everyone can see my imperfection. Please help with any solutions you may have.

29 answers to How Can I Get Rid of Enlarged, Scarred Areola After Breast Augmentation?

+1

Treatment for periareolar scars

A simple scar revision with areolar reduction under local anesthesia will improve size, shape, and the scar itself.
Daniel J. Casper, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

www.drdanielcasper.com

+3

AREAOLAR SCAR REVISION

Thanks for the photos.  They are very helpful.  It appears that you have healed with depigmented circumareolar scars or more simply scars that have lost their natural color.  A surgical revision of the scars may help but there may be only minimal improvement.  The only other option to return the color to the white depigmented scar would be to consider tattooing.  I do not feel any type of scar therapy will be helpful.
Todd B. Koch, MD

Buffalo Plastic Surgeon

www.toddbkochmd.com

+2

The areola can be reduced and/or the scar tattooed

Dear lady, you mention two problems : the visible scar around the areola (were they lifted together with the augmentation?), and the fact that your areola shows in a cutout bra. Correcting the scar is perfectly feasible by a skilled medical tattooist or someone with experience with micropigmentation. Ask for references. This will however not reduce the size of your areola. To make the areolas smaller, a "round block" technique needs to be used, where a donut-shaped... more
Alexis Verpaele, MD

Belgium Plastic Surgeon
+2

Scar Correction Around the Areola

While you periareolar scars are acceptable, they could be improved. If they are raised, a CO2 laser could help to flatten them. Steroid injections help, but you may develop a widened scar. Silicone taping usually works earlier in the recovery period. Tattooing is a good way to camouflage the scars it they are...
Frank Agullo, MD

El Paso Plastic Surgeon

www.elpasoplasticsurgery.com

+1

Scars

It looks like you had a circumareolar lift (also called the Benelli or Donut lift).  You have a few suture marks on the left side, and a slightly wider areolar diameter, in addition to a scar that goes all the way around the areolar area. Although the photos are not the best, the scar doesn't seem depressed, tethered, heaped up, or especially widened. Overall, the scar quality is reasonably good - it doesn't appear to be a keloid or hypertrophic scar. While you could... more
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

www.plasticsurgeryinflorida.com

+1

Areolar size can be reduced

Breast augmentation typically enlarges areolar diameter. An option to consider is a peri-areolar donut mastopexy to reduce your areolar diameter. The technique employs a GoreTex suture which 'locks in' the diameter of the areola. I've done this a few times to revise patients like yourself. It works fairly well.
Scott Sattler, MD

Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast implants

Most likely, the result of any scar revision will be the same.  Tattoo is a good option in this case.
Shahin Javaheri, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1

Areolar reduction after breast augmentation

In most cases the areola will enlarge after breast augmentation. You only need to review a series of before and afters to see the change. When augmentation is combined with an around the nipple breast lift as you appear to have had, the challenges on areolar size and scar spread are remarkable. Our suggestion is revision of the scar with areolar reduction if the size is again an issue. Your skin is now relaxed 2 years after the augmentation and chances are you may do better. I don't... more
Peter E. Johnson, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

+1

Scars are inevitable after breast augmentation

5% of women develop widened scars following breast augmentation.  Assuming your plastic surgeon closed the skin in 2 layers, using long-term dissolving stitches in the deep layer and fine or hidden stitches or glue in the skin, you may just be one of the unlucky ones who are genetically predisposed to poor scars.  On the other hand, if you did not have your skin closed as I described, you could consider a scar revision by a board certified plastic surgeon.  If your scars... more
Arthur W. Perry, MD

Franklin Park Plastic Surgeon
+1

Areolas revision

I am wondering why you have a scar around the entire areola.  Did you have a lift as well?  Are your breasts symmetrical? I would suggest that the scar can be revised, and a permanent "purse string" suture can be placed to keep the diameter the same. Get another opinion.   sek
Scott E. Kasden, MD

Dallas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Prominent areolar scar after breast augmentation

I do not see a prominent scar but if your are referring the the pigmentation, you could consider tattoo of the lighter colored portions of the scar.
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar after breast augmentation may be improved

Hi Miami2784, I cannot see anything in the photo.  Is the scar depressed?  Is it widened?  Is it within the areola?  Please resend question with close up photo of area of concern.  In my experience, in many cases scars can be improved. Tracy M. Pfeifer, MD, MS
Tracy Pfeifer, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

drpfeifer.com

+1

Enlarged areolas after breast augmentation

Hi there- I have to say that your situation is a big part of the reason I am not a big fan of peri-areolar techniques for breast lifting. The result is sometimes pleasing initially, but inevitably over time, the areolas stretch and the scars widen... The only long term effective solution to this problem once it has occurred is to remove the larger implants, place smaller ones, and surgically reduce the areolas and scars. I know this is probably not exactly what you would prefer to more
Armando Soto, MD

Orlando Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar revision after Benelli Mastopexy

Repeat surgery is unlikely to solve the problem.  If plan A doesn't work redoing plan A is unlikely to help.  If the scars are prominent perhaps judicious conservative injections of Kenalog may help.  Some of the prominence may be due to a permanent stitch placed at the time of the initial procedure so check with your surgeon.  If the problem is the pale color tattooing could be helpful.  Maybe there is a tattoo artist in your area who works a lot with breast... more
Terrence Murphy, MD

Englewood Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar Revision after Breast Augmentation

The whiter scar at the edge of the areola is within the range of normal. It is unlikely that cutting out the scar will produce a better result. You might consider tattooing with careful attention to matching your skin tone to help camouflage the scar.
Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon
+1

Treating depigmented white scars

The photos show a white depigmented flat scar surrounding the areolae and a smaller left than right areola. Aside from the right left asymmetry and the color of the scar the result looks good. I don't know how anyone could see that difference through a bikini. The different sized areolae could be visible through a thin bra but that would not usually be for public view. You apparently had a doughnut of tissue around the areolae removed at the time of the augmentation, doughnut... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Correcting Ugly Scars aroung Nipples after Breast Augmentation and Benelli Lift

Putting large implants in a sagging breast and then attempting to lift the breast only by removal of the skin around the nipple complex is commonly doomed to fail. The subsequent sequence of events is always the same; the breast implants push the areola and the scar forward and massively stretch them resulting in large, ugly areolas and widened prominent scars, as is seen in your case. Correction here can only be done by reducing the tension on the breast skin. This can only be done by... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Depigmented Scar/Areolae

You have a normal results with scar depigmentation.  If you're really unhappy, tatooing might be the answer.
Blane T. Shatkin, MD

Ft. Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Unhappy with areolar scars

The photos are somewhat difficult to interpret since you are lying down...the best view would be a straight ahead (frontal) view while standing. It is difficult to assess your contour, symmetry, areolar size and position in these photos. It appears that you had a periareolar lift ("circular", "concentric", whatever one wishes to call it) at the time of your implant placement. The scars do not look raised, red, "ropey," so they do not appear from the photos to be... more
Robert M. Grenley, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.seattleplasticsurgery.com

+1

Circumferential periareolar scar

You appear to have a circumferential periareolar scar, which is rarely used with breast augmentation alone unless the surgeon is performing a lift with the augmentation.  Overall, the quality of the scar is what one can expect with a circumferential periareolar lift.  I agree with the surgeon who previously suggested trying a tattoo.  There are nipple tattoo professionals who will have the colors needed to mask the scar.  You may find one by contacting a local plastic... more
Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD

Chevy Chase Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar around the areola

As the others have mentioned, the quality of you scar is quite good.  However you do have a marked discrepancy between sizes of your areola and it looks like you didn't have to have a life on the right side or it has healed remarkably well.  Nevertheless, you can pursue a scar revision of your  left side as long as you understand you could still end up with a similar result.  If this is extemely distressing to you, I  think it would be worth a try as long as your... more
Curtis Wong, MD

Redding Plastic Surgeon
+1

Areola scars

The scars that you developed as a result of your surgery is something that probably would not improve with sacr revision. Sometimes tattooing has helped.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Periareolar scars

It looks as if you had a periareolar lift and if so this tends to cause a bit of areolar enlargement and spreading of the scar. However, you have very acceptable and normal scars. The only thing is the loss of pigmentation and this is unpredictable. This is fortunately the easiest problem with scars to improve. Just apply a bit of makeup to break up the circumferential pattern of the scar. Raised, dark, discolored, thick, or widen scar are more problematic than hypopigmentation. DO NOT DO A... more
Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

How Can I Get Rid of Enlarged, Scarred Areola After Breast Augmentation?

Thanks for the posted photos, As other experts state these appear as very acceptable scars and result. I would not recommend steroidal injections, or scar revision. you could try tattooing to skin colour. Otherwise you may be at an end point. Regards Dr. Darryl J. Blinski, MIAMI 
Darryl J. Blinski, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consider tattoo for car treatment

Your scars appear white so they are mature and I doubt a steroid injection or laser will help. A surgical revision (in the office)  may be an option. One potential treatment that has not yet been mentioned is scar tattoo. Some highly skilled tattoo specialists can have great results with these types of scars. Search out a specialist who does permanent makeup tattoos and go for a consultation. Make sure you see "before & after" pictures of their work.   more
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

How can I improve the scars around my areola?

It is very difficult to evaluate your scars from the photos but they do not appear to be unacceptable.  That being said, there are a number of ways to improve your scars including: injection of steroid scar taping application of scar improvement topicals (SkinMedica Essential Serum) Fractional laser resurfacing Direct scar revisionm (in-office) Any of these procedures could potentially give you a little more natural appearnace to the scars and so you should... more
Gregory A. Buford, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.beautybybuford.com

+1

Improvement of raised areoalar scars

The areolas appear different in size so one solution may be to surgically revise the scars, make them more even and flatter...two years after the original surgery there will be less tension on the closure and the scar should heal better.  If you prefer not to have further surgery the scars can be flattened with steroids or laser resurfacing...once they heal, the scars can be tattooed to better camouflage them.
Eric Sadeh, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Scar after breast augmentation

Patients scar differently after breast surgery. Not all patients heal the same way. Abnormal scaring can happened after any breast augmentation procedure. There are several types of abnormal scars. Hypertrophic scar is one that is red or dark purple and is raised; it usually improves some with time. They can be improved with steroid injection, silicone sheet and pressure. Keloid scar is one that is large red or dark purple but as oppose to hypertrophic scars, keloids do not confined to... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Enlarged, scarred areola after Breast augmentation

From the photos that you showed, your areolas do not look too enlarged in proportion to your breasts.  It is hard to appreciate the scar based on the photos as well.  If the areola scar is widened and raised, we can treat it with steroid.  However, steroid injection may widen the scar further or depigment the area.  Another option is to perform circumareolar mastopexy to decrease the size of the areola and to remove the scar; however, you will then have a scar around the... more
Sugene Kim, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

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