I am going to have a breast reduction and would like to know my chances of having a hypertrophic scar afterwards. I am 24 years old, fair skin, hispanic.
Answer: How would I know if I am prone to hypertrophic scarring? Hypertrophic scars exclusively develop in humans. They occur with equal frequency in males and females and occur most commonly in younger people, particularly in the second decade of life. They are differentiated by their gross appearance. Hypertrophic scars are confined to the area of injury.Although the risk is always there for any incision made, the fewer incisions made, the less the risk. As an author of Scars and Scar Revision in Reoperative Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, I am well versed in the potential treatment options. One treatment may be helpful for one patient while another treatment may help another patient.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
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Answer: How would I know if I am prone to hypertrophic scarring? Hypertrophic scars exclusively develop in humans. They occur with equal frequency in males and females and occur most commonly in younger people, particularly in the second decade of life. They are differentiated by their gross appearance. Hypertrophic scars are confined to the area of injury.Although the risk is always there for any incision made, the fewer incisions made, the less the risk. As an author of Scars and Scar Revision in Reoperative Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, I am well versed in the potential treatment options. One treatment may be helpful for one patient while another treatment may help another patient.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA
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April 1, 2018
Answer: Scar prevention Dear jessvalera,For scars, I close all of my incisions in 5 layers and do not use absorbable sutures because they cause inflammation and worse scarring. I tape all of my incisions in the office visits once a week for six weeks after surgery to improve the appearance. After taping, I start my patients on a scar gel therapy for 3 months that they have to put on their incisions twice daily.If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
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April 1, 2018
Answer: Scar prevention Dear jessvalera,For scars, I close all of my incisions in 5 layers and do not use absorbable sutures because they cause inflammation and worse scarring. I tape all of my incisions in the office visits once a week for six weeks after surgery to improve the appearance. After taping, I start my patients on a scar gel therapy for 3 months that they have to put on their incisions twice daily.If you are considering a surgery, I would suggest you to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination you will get more information and recommendations.Daniel Barrett, MD
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April 2, 2018
Answer: Hypertrophic scarring after surgery The best prediction of hypertrophic scarring after surgery is an evaluation of any prior scars that you may have. So, if you have had surgery and it has healed well or poorly that is a helpful indicator. If you have not had any other surgery, a family history is a guide but much less accurate.
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April 2, 2018
Answer: Hypertrophic scarring after surgery The best prediction of hypertrophic scarring after surgery is an evaluation of any prior scars that you may have. So, if you have had surgery and it has healed well or poorly that is a helpful indicator. If you have not had any other surgery, a family history is a guide but much less accurate.
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March 31, 2018
Answer: Hypertrophic scars Thanks for your question, jessvalera.
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March 31, 2018
Answer: Hypertrophic scars Thanks for your question, jessvalera.
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