How Soon After a Breast Lift is Laser Scar Removal Ideal?

Thank you for your question. Breast incisions can be managed using a multimodal approach:
1) Scar massage - starting as soon as the surgical dressings come off and the incisions are sealed
2) Silicone sheets or scar gels for about six months to year
3) Embrace - a tension reducing dressing for the first 2 months
4) Fractionated lasers to help blend the scar into the background - done as a series, starting about 4 weeks after surgery and repeated every four weeks for six months.
5) Sunscreen to prevent the scars from darkening

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hello! Thank you for your question. It is common for scars to fully mature for up to a year. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to ameliorate your incision/scar. The most proven (as well as cheapest) modality is simple scar massage. Applying pressure and massaging the well-healed scar has been shown to improve the appearance as it breaks up the scar tissue, hopefully producing the finest scar as possible. Other things that have been shown to add some benefit are silicone sheets, hydration, and topical steroids. In addition, avoidance of direct sunlight to the incision will significantly help the appearance as they tend to discolor with UV light during the healing process. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately a year's time, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself. Hope that this helps! Best wishes for a wonderful result!

Scars can never be removed. Time is the best treatment for fading of the scars. Although tremendous resources have been placed on lotion and potions to treat scars none have been clinically shown to be effective. silicone strips and pressure have been the most significant part of scar control in my practice. I reserve lasers (BBL and Fraxel) for mature scars that continue to have a purple hue to them. I would only use the lasers at about 6 months or so after the procedure.

Most scars improve a lot over a period of months without any special treatment. If your scars are not progressing normally, laser or IPL treatments can help fade the red color and soften them. This could be started as early as 6 weeks if necessary.

It is perfectly understandable why any breast lift patient would want to make every effort to get the best scar result as possible.  There are numerous early incisional/scar treatment approaches with the laser being one of them. It can be used to help expedite the clearing of scar redness or making the scar more flat with resurfacing. I certainly wouldn't embark on any laser treatments before six weeks as the skin has to be completely healed. Once concept about scar treatments that you must understand is that scar removal is not possible...only some degree of scar improvement. You will be left with permanent scars from the breast lift procedure. Time also provides a the best method of scar improvement so do not expect an early miracle in how the scars will appear after laser treatments. 

Scars cannot be removed but they can be revised or treated with injections or laser.  BUT - mother nature does a very good job of scar revision in most cases.  I have patients tape their incision for 3 - 6 months and give most scars up to a year to settle.  Many scars look pretty nasty at a few months but as time passes they fade and get much softer.  Tincture of time is what usually works.  Laser can be useful for persistent redness in a sacr that has been given plenty of time to fade.

Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.

In general, I would wait 4-6 weeks after surgery to begin any laser treatments for your incisions. Do keep in mind that there is no such thing as a scar removal, only improvements in scar appearance. The overall time frame depends on what type of laser treatment you will undergo and how well you are healing after surgery. Make sure to talk with your plastic surgeon before pursuing the treatments as well.

Maybe just a loose use of the word on your part, but make sure you understand that lasers and or any other scar treatments do not remove the scar, they only assist in making the scar less visible.  All scars are permanent but will improve with time, even without laser treatments.