Silagen - 9 month old breast augmentation scar, can I cut the sheets to cover the entire scar?

Question

I had a breast augmentation 9 months ago. I had the incision through the areola and both have scars. One is worse than the other (red and raised). My doctor gave me Silagen sheets to use. Since the scar is the entire half of my bottom areola, is it ok to cut the sheet and place it over my entire nipple in order to cover the scar? Or will this effect my nipple (i.e. change the color, or make my actual nipples look different)? Are there any other options for areola scars? Thank you!

David Rankin, MD · Answer

I would try to avoid your nipple if possible as it may cause some irritation. There are various methods of scar treatments and what works for one person does not for another. You can try Mederma or massage with Vitamin E oil. You can also switch up any of these treatments. If the scar remains raised, you may need to get a scar revision or a small amount of steroid injection. Good luck.

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

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Thank you for your recent question.  By cutting them to make them fit the entire scar and covering your nipple will not harm you in any way.  I recommend a silicone scar sheeting system called Oleeva to the patients in my practice.  You can order them online and get them by the shape of the incision.  Best of Luck!

Talmage J. Raine, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

It will not affect your nipple to cover with the product. Nine months is a long time in the process. I'd be interested to know how it helps.Talmage Raine MD

Silagen - 9 month old breast augmentation scar, can I cut the sheets to cover the entire scar?

Answers (4)