How to clean my BA incision/scar?

Hello cio90,
Congratulations on your recent breast augmentation procedure! Plastic surgeons have different post-operative protocols, customized for every patient to achieve the best results. I typically recommend the following care measures to my patients: 1)Take the antibiotics medication as prescribed to prevent the development of any infection, and analgesics to control post-operative discomfort. 2)Wear a well-fitting bra around the clock (except for showering) for the first 4 weeks after surgery, then daytime only for the next 2 weeks. The support bra may be washed on the gentle cycle and air-dried as needed. 3)You may shower 72 hours after surgery. Wash all incisions gently with Hibiclens or any other similar antibacterial soap and water. 4)Do not remove the white tape (steri-strips) on your incisions. This should remain in place for at least 3 weeks. If you have steri-strips, leave this intact as it can get wet and normally will not come off in the shower. 5)The steri-strips placed during surgery will protect the incisions and may be left open to the air after your post-surgical dressing is removed. Your incisions do not require any routine care such as the placement of dressings or ointment. Please, do not clean your incisions with Hydrogen Peroxide. 6)Do not apply hot or warm compresses to any of the surgical areas. 7)Some itching of the healing wound is expected, but avoid scratching the incisions. 8)Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months after breast augmentation. If sun exposure is unavoidable, make sure to use a high protection sunblock (SPF 30 or greater). Sun exposure can cause permanent discoloration of the scars. Sunlight can even reach scars under a swimsuit or clothing, so take adequate precautions. 9) Keep your incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection. Some of the common symptoms of surgical site infection are: redness and pain around the area treated, drainage of cloudy fluid from the surgical wound, and fever (above 100.4 F). 10)No tub soaking while sutures are in place. It's typically recommended to avoid swimming or being in a bath tub (at least for 6 weeks) when you have wounds that are still open since these wounds can get infected caused by Vibrio bacteria. 11) Contact your plastic surgeon promptly if you notice an increase in swelling, pain, redness, drainage, or bleeding in the surgical area, or if you develop fever (above 100.4 F), dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Hope this is helpful, Dr. De La Cruz. 

Use regular soap and water in the shower.  Don't scrub the scar or pay special attention to it 12 days out. You should be applying scar cream to the scar. I recommend an in-office examination as well as a detailed discussion with a surgeon who you are comfortable with.   Finally, make sure your surgeon is a Double-Board Certified Plastic Surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), a member of the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).Best,Dr. DesaiBeverly Hills Institute for Aesthetic Plastic SurgeryHarvard Educated, Beverly Hills & Miami Beach TrainedDouble Board-Certified, Double Fellowship-Trained Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

hello thank you for your question and provided information as well.. based in your question its recommended alcohol , and put cream antibiotic and cover with gazue or brown tape, and its recommended clean the scars every 2 days

cio90.  I appreciate your concern, however if your wound is completely healed, daily cleansing with regular soap and water is all you need to do and start applying scar cream. Confirm my postoperative care advice with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Hi.  At this time postop, I have my patients use regular soap in the shower and then pat themselves dry and apply a silicone based scar gel.  I have found that other products, such as hibiclens antiseptic, alcohol, peroxide, etc. are too irritating to the young scar.  Infection is not a problem unless you have a break in the skin, in which case, a small amount of daily antibiotic ointment is helpful. Be sure to wear an SPF if you are going to have sun exposure (UV radiation penetrates clothing so a small amount over the scar is more protective).  Best wishes, Dr. Doolabh

Thank you for your question! Each surgeon has his/her own protocol for post-procedure care, however here at Capizzi, M.D. we tell patients that they can shower the morning after surgery with warm water and their normal soap regime. You do not need to scrub the incision site or apply alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to it. It is very normal for the incision site to become reddened and raised so I tell patients that Biocorneum (a medical grade silicone gel) should be applied two times per day for 12 weeks to help with the coloration and texture of the scar. If you have any further questions or concerns I recommend reaching out to your plastic surgeon. Best of luck!

Dear cio90,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello and thank you for the question. It's best to speak to your surgeon about the specifics of your care. I would just keep it clean. Providing that your recovery has been uncomplicated, you should be able to gently wash the incision with soap and water and you should not need to apply alcohol to your incision. Best,

Hi and thank you so much for your question! I suggest asking your board certified plastic surgeon, but I counsel my patient's to not touch the incision. They can shower, rub soap on their chest then let water wash it off. Once out of the shower they can pat dry with a towel. Congratulations on your breast augmentation!

Hi. Never alcohol because it will burn the tissue, I always required my patiens to wash the wounds every day when shower with a "liquid  moisturizer  soap" (after 48 hours after surgery), rinsing it very well after rubbing the foam over the wound.International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon