Will a croton or phenol peel help with a tummy tuck and breast lift scar?

Question

I want the best possible scar outcome. A non-textured flat scar is the most important thing for me. Will a croton or phenol peel on the scar help get the flattest scar possible? My budget it limitless and I am willing to go through the healing of the peel if will help my result. How many months post op do you recommend getting the peel for optimal results? Side note: I will be doing silicone scar therapy after surgery and please don’t tell me “time” is the best solution. Thank you!!

James Shire, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. It is extremely important to understand that croton oil /phenol peels are NOT to be used off the face (i.e. on the torso).  This peel wounds the skin to or through the papillary dermis. On the body the papillary dermis layer is superficial, therefore it will produce a scar. Also, please know chemical peels (of any type) will not remove or prevent a scar of any kind. The best way to reduce and limit scarring is good surgical technique and handling the tissue properly.  Please note:  I personally have 34 years experience with phenol/croton oil peels and have written text books and lectured internationally on the the subject of chemical peels.

Robert T. Buchanan, MD (retired) · Answer

Peels of any kind, especially phenol-croton oil ones, are NOT useful in treating scars. The best way to get "the best scar possible" is to choose your surgeon very carefully. The one thing that does the most to produce a thin almost invisible scar is how the wound was closed. Doing things to take pressure off the wound and leaving buried sutures that last for 6 months or more generally markedly improve the resultant scar. Discuss this with your surgeon before surgery.

Kristine Brecht, MD (license suspended) · Answer

Dear Beverly Hills,
Great question. There are many ways to optimize the healing of a scar:
A scar on minimal tension with repair.
Special closure with sutures that don’t react to your skin. 
Special taping of the surface skin rather than sutures. 
Biocorneum post procedure. 
Good healing genetics. 
Avoid sun to incisions. 
Healthy diet with protein and antioxidants. Good compression garments that don’t rub/ irritate the incisions. 
Avoid lifting more than 5 lbs for 6 wks.
Avoid excessive movement/ exercise and irritating incision during healing process.
Avoid tension and stress on incision for at least 6-8wks.
After 6-8 weeks post surgery, surfacing txs with Microneedling and prp.
Patients and all the above can help optimize  the healing of tummy tuck and breast lift scars.
Best. DrBrecht 
Seattle, Wa

Will a croton or phenol peel help with a tummy tuck and breast lift scar?

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Will a croton or phenol peel help with a tummy tuck and breast lift scar?

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