Bad Breast Reduction Scars - Cosmetic Tattoo Cover-up?

Question

I had a breast reduction in 2008 that left me with thick dark scars. I went back to have a scar revision in 2009, but the scars are still bad. I'm wondering if I need to keep up with steroid injections ( I believe the doctor who did my scar revision injected the site once during the surgery, but i do not want to return to him for anything else). Ive also been looking into cosmetic tattooing to camouflage the scars. I am very unhappy with them, Please help!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures.

	Although your dissatisfaction with the surgery is understandable I hope you understand that,  despite your surgeon's best efforts,  unsatisfactory scarring can happen after this type of surgery. Hopefully, you are pleased with the overall change in size/contour of the breasts.

	You may be better off with another attempt at scar revision surgery than tattoo camouflage.

	Best wishes.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

I think the size of your breasts is good. The scars are somewhat hypertrophic and I would suggest another excision with steroids or 5 FU placed in the wound to try to avoid the scar complications that you have.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Scar problems can develop with almost any surgery but the causes are often multifactorial including genetic components, tension, healing issues, etc..  Sometimes revision of scars can be helpful and then treating them with silicone sheeting, massage, taping, etc..  Good luck.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD · Answer

From your photos, it appears that the scars are both wide and dark. You would probably benefit from re-excision of the scars followed by postoperative scar treatment with silicone gel sheeting and a skin bleaching agent like hydroquinone for 4 - 6 months or more. You should also be followed closely for a while to make sure that you are progressing appropriately

Bad Breast Reduction Scars - Cosmetic Tattoo Cover-up?

Answers (6)

Answer: Scar issues

Answer: Scar issues

Answer: Wide and dark scars may be helped with surgery and scar treatment

Answer: Wide and dark scars may be helped with surgery and scar treatment

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Bad Breast Reduction Scars - Cosmetic Tattoo Cover-up?

Answers (6)

Answer: Scar issues

Answer: Scar issues

Answer: Wide and dark scars may be helped with surgery and scar treatment

Answer: Wide and dark scars may be helped with surgery and scar treatment

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.