Can Embrace scar therapy dressing starting 3 months post op breast augmentation help with scars?

Dear SweetykrThank you for your question!  The early wound healing and maturity of a scar is in the first 3 months.  The scar is unlikely to change very much as a result of any treatment topically.With Warm RegardsTrevor M Born MD

Our office has many different treatments for scars depending on the depth of atrophy or hypertrophy. Scars require a combination approach using our HI DEF protocol which uses a combination of lasers, topical scar modulation, and RF treatments to pixelate scars, improve contour, reduce hyperpigmentation, and improve the visibility of the scars so that they are no longer visible in ambient light. Everyone has a unique pattern of scarring and we employ our HIDEF technique to improve texture, color, contour, and topography. We often use a combination of treatments that begin with a careful examination to examine the micro texturing of the acne scars. Atrophic scars and indented scars can benefit from injectable fillers such as Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane with or without subcision to remove tethered scars and atrophic depression. Hyper-redness in scars can be improved with V beam laser, Excel V, BBL, IPL, and Venus RF to improve the redness and reduce the visibility of deep scars. Fractional Thulium laser and clear & brilliant can also reduce the inflammation and redness of the scar when combined with topical therapy. Fractional lasers such as Fraxel, erbium, and CO2 laser can be combined with radio frequency and also fractional RF to improve textual issues and microtopography. Subcision and TCA cross are also used for deep ice pick scars and narrow valley scars in order to improve the micro texture. Above all, our combination approach with our clinical nurses and board-certified plastic surgeons can improve the quality of your skin by using at home Melarase creams combined with PRP treatments in our office to improve your skin quality and tone. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with an experienced team of experts in order to reduce your scarring.

Finally, hyperpigmentation of scars can be improved with at-home Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads to help reduce active PIH and melanin deposition.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

For best results, Embrace Active Scar Defense should be started 1-2 weeks after surgery. Patients have reported efficacy even when the treatment is initiated further out from surgery although the efficacy is likely less. Darkened or raised scars may require additional treatment beyond Embrace to decrease the pigmentation and soften the scar thickening. Silicone gel therapy is a simple and affordable supplement that could help and doesn’t hurt.  BioCorneum is a blend of three types of silicone and SPF 30, which helps to prevent potential sun-induced damage. Consult your board-certified plastic surgeon regarding his or her recommendations. Good luck in your recovery!

No.  You have missed the window of opportunity for Embrace.Ideally, it should be started between 2 and 4 weeks post-op.Best to see your surgeon about other treatment possibilities.

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 darkeningEmbrace is a tension reducing dressing and is best for the first couple months when the tension is highest due to lack of scar formation.

Hello Sweetykr. Embrace requires and early start. Usually we start it before 3 weeks after surgery. Best, Dr.ALDO.

The best way to get a good scar after augmentation is to simply leave it alone. Scar treatments don't work unless they are designed to protect the incision.

Dear Sweetykr,



Embrace Scar Therapy really needs to be done
at the onset of healing to tension off of the scar and allow for flatter
healing. At this stage, you are probably better off using silicone gel tape
with compression. If that is unsuccessful, consideration could be given to
prescription-strength steroid cream or steroid injections and lightening
creams.



I hope this has been helpful.

Robert D. Wilcox, MD

Thank you for your question.Applying Aquaphore twice daily to scars along with massage can help improve the
look and contour of scars.

Hypoallergenic paper tape can help improve scar appearance through
its action as a pressure dressing and as a semi occlusive wound hydration dressing.Silicone dressings can be helpful. Several studies have illustrated that treatment of
scars with silicone gel dressings clinically improves scars, especially in
patients at high risk for problematic scarring. Silicone dressings are believed
to decrease scar via wound hydration, increased static charge (i.e., silicone
gels contain increased negative static charge), and modulation of growth
factors.Mederma, a topical onion extract that when applied with scar
massage can decrease the appearance of scars.Ultimately I recommend that you make an appointment with your plastic surgeon to discuss scar treatment options.