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A: Reducing Breast Reduction ScarsI have switched to a "lollipop" type of incison/scar for breast reductions which reduces scars by about 50 % vs a traditional anchor pattern scar. Scar Management tips:Minimize tension on the scar. Embrace scar dressing is the best as it lessens tension directly on the wound. Steri-Strips and/or surgical tape are often placed in non-hair bearing areas to minimize tension and keep pressure over the scar. This minimizes the stress that can pull the scar apart (dehiscence) creating a wound and delaying healing time, and can make the scar wider, or more “ropy”.Keep your incision site/scar clean to prevent infection. Follow your surgeon’s wound care instructions to the letter with out modification. Never apply different products then recommended without first discussing them with your surgeon. This is especially important during the first few weeks. If there are any signs of infection, contact your surgeon’s office right away and/or see your doctor or his nurse immediately. Typical signs of infection may include redness outside the immediate incision site, asymmetric swelling, and drainage, of pus, fever, chills, and “feeling sick”.Protect your scars from the sun. Staying out of the sun is the best advice. Minimal exposure to sunlight is preventshyperpigmentation (permanently turning brown) and other problems that can make the scar more noticeable. Sunscreen, at least 30 SPF and an overlying make camouflage make up additionally protects the scar from the suns harmful rays. This advice is especially important the first year following your surgery.Use specific scar maturation products recommended by your surgeon. Patients seem to have their own opinions on this touting everything from Pure Vit E, Coco butter, to Aloe Vera, etc but most have minimal benefit other than keeping the scar hydrated. Although hydration is important there are better, scientifically studied products with greater efficacy. Most of the scientific articles written about this subject indicate that topical silicone gel or silicone sheets work the best. There are a lot of products to choose from, but silicone should be one of the key ingredients. Although Mederma, an onion extract derivative active ingredient rather than mainly silicone based may help, primarily silicone based products are better and many also contain other ingredients that may be synergistic (hydrocortisone or other steroid, Vitamin E, Sunscreen,etc). At the present time I prefer BioCorneum or Kelo-Cote products especially on areas that silicone strips aren’t applicable, for example, on the face. If the reader has problems obtaining these they can call my office. Patient compliance is also critical – use often and according to directions or it will not work optimally. NEVER apply products without first discussing them with your surgeon.Monitor to make sure your scar is progressing optimally. Keep your scheduled follow-up appointments with your surgeon to verify that your scars are maturing as expected. Occasionally if indicated you may need a topical steroid preparation or even a series of injections (5-FU and/or Steroids) or laser treatments to treat or prevent scar hypertrophy or keloid formation (red raised scars), or other topical medicines to treat post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (brown scars) with prescription creams and possible laser treatments.For best scar managment in general see my below link on best practices for scar managment.
One thing that I have found to be particularly useful is growth factor based scar gels. They can really make a difference, but shouldn't be applied typically until it has been one month from the surgery.
Scar minimisation in breast reduction surgery is all about having the appropriate surgical technique executed by a skilled & qualified surgeon and the compliance from the patient to adhere to all the optimal preoperative preparation as well as all the post operative recovery phase with appropriate scar management plan. Scar treatment options include silicone based therapy either in the form of silicone tape or silicone scar gel. You'll need to be diligent, patient and consistent in its daily application at least for 3 to 6 months post op in order to achieve the most optimal outcome. Appropriate scar massage can also assist in optimal healing and scarring but the intrinsic scar propensity is also determined by various underlying genetic factors as well as certain environmental influence. Hope that helps.Best wishesEllis Choy
The best treatment for scars is called scar massage. Basically this means you massage your incisions with some type of lotion. I tell my patients “it’s the rubbing not what you rub it with”. Silicone is great for scars as well. It helps to reduce the redness faster and flattens them. Many products are now available without prescription which contain silicone.
A good supportive bra is effective because it prevents excessive tension, which can stimulate scar formation. The application of pressure to a scar is also effective. Patients can apply paper tape or use a silicone gel pad if more specific pressure is needed. A scar takes approximately 6 months to a year to reach maturity, so be patient.
The goal of everyone is to have no scars, but it is not possible if you have significant sag. Liposuction of the breast will reduce the breast size and you can get some elevation of the nipple. Most patients want smaller, perkier breast. This requires skin excision and thus scars.We try to close all breasts with no external sutures. We use long lasting PDS sutures so that the tension is reduced on the incision longer. Massage of the scars with any lotion starting at 2 weeks and the use of topical silicone sheets or liquid - Scar fade also helps. Time is the most important element. It often takes 6 0 12 months to get the best results.
Scars from breast reduction mostly have to do with your genetics and the surgical technique. Compression and taping are tools that help manage swelling, support the healing process, and improve scar appearance, but the exact protocol may vary based on individual circumstances or surgeon preferences.For scar management, silicone gel and taping is often recommended for the first few weeks to reduce tension on the scar tissue, aiding in better scar formation and preventing excessive scarring. I personally like silicone taping for the first few months to keep the incision hydrated and avoid sun exposure and effectively "splint" the wound to reduce tension. Silicone gel sheets or silicone gel products, such as BioCorneum, are highly recommended to reduce scar visibility by hydrating the skin and regulating collagen production. Additionally, gentle scar massage after the initial healing period can improve circulation and break down collagen buildup. It's important to protect the scars from sun exposure by using sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, as UV rays can darken scars and make them more noticeable (BioCorneum includes this). Compression garments and surgical bras are commonly recommended to reduce swelling and provide support to the breasts during the healing process. Wearing a compression bra for about a month is typical, with some surgeons recommending transitioning to a sports bra for extended support. The compression helps reduce fluid accumulation and supports the tissue and suture lines, especially in the early stages of recovery.If scars become raised or hypertrophic, treatments like laser therapy or steroid injections may help. Be patient, as scars typically improve over time, taking up to a year to fully mature. It is important to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon who can customize your surgical plan and determine the best technique for you based on your individual anatomy and goals.Dr. Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Johns Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic EducatedDouble Fellowship Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York
Hi from Istanbul! Minimizing scars is a process that begins during surgery, by skillful stitching with minimal tension. Good postop wound care also helps, of course. I would recommend silicone sheets, scar gels, steroid injections when necessary and laser treatments for mid post-op period. It's been quite a while since this question has been asked but I hope this will be useful to new patients who have concerns about scarring. Best of luck!
Hello and thank you for your question.You have some options. You can use silicone sheeting, scar gel, or lasers/micro needling. Speak to your surgeon for his/her guidance and recommendations. Best wishes!
Hi there, this is such a great question. I instruct all of my cosmetic surgical patients to use a combination of Biocorneum scar gel and paper tape for approximately 6 months following surgery. The combination of the two maximizes the healing of the scars as well as maintaining the flatness and minimizing keloid and hypertrophic scars with the paper tape. Best of luck!
Severalweeks following a #BreastReduction procedure, I have my patients use a #scar cream such as #Biocorneum to allow the scarsto fade as much as possible. Onoccasion, we may recommend laser treatments to further improve the healing.
Thanks for your question! You are far enough out that you could revise the reduction and possibly get a lift or another reduction, and you should be able to get rid of the residual areola. Good luck!
Liposuction might help. I recommend an in person consultation with a plastic surgeon who may do this procedure. Make sure the surgeon has pictures to show you as well. Dr. Ted Eisenberg, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon and Author. RealSelf Distinguished Hall of Fame Inductee. Philadelphia, Pa., USA
Unfortunately, you have not provided photographs or told us your bra size. However, there are instances where a patient will need a repeat breast reduction. If your breasts are very firm as she have said then it is most likely you have breast parenchyma not fat. I would need photographs to...
