Capsular Contracture and Ingrown Hair?

Question

Can ingrown hair around areola cause capsular contracture? Is it ok to plug the hair around areola with a tweezer?

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Unless infected, and somehow communicating with the breast implant pocket, what happens on the surface of the breast skin is quite remote from your implants.

	Plucking is OK so long as you do not get an infection that can travel through your breast ducts or bloodstream and cause trouble with your implants. Consider electrolysis or laser hair removal for a more permanent solution! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Ronald Levine, MD · Answer

There is no research indicating that ingrown hair would cause capsular contracture. You should make sure you sterilize the tweezers you use and your skin after you pluck.

Asif Pirani, MD, FRCS(C) · Answer

Unlikely.  There is a belief that low-grade infections contribute to capsular contractures.  If your in-grown hairs are infected, let your surgeon know prior to your surgery.  I often cover the areola with a tegaderm dressing during breast augmentation surgery to limit exposure of the implant/pocket to native bacteria in the nipple/areola.

	Best,

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

It is unlikely that your breast capsular contracture would develop from an ingrown hair around the areola.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Not a likely cause and effect relationship. 

	It is ok to pluck the hair, but you might want to consider a more permanent modality, such as electrolysis. All the best.

Capsular Contracture and Ingrown Hair?

Answers (5)

Answer: Ingrown hair and capsular contracture

Answer: Ingrown hair and capsular contracture

Answer: Capsular Contracture and Ingrown Hair?

Answer: Capsular Contracture and Ingrown Hair?

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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Capsular Contracture and Ingrown Hair?

Answers (5)

Answer: Ingrown hair and capsular contracture

Answer: Ingrown hair and capsular contracture

Answer: Capsular Contracture and Ingrown Hair?

Answer: Capsular Contracture and Ingrown Hair?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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