1 year after breast lift - what can I do to minimize painful and sensitive raised scars? (photos)

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

Hello and thank you for your question. It appears you have unfortunately developed hypertrophic scars around your areola, resulting in the appearance and symptoms you've noted. I would recommend a revision procedure to address this- this can even be done in the office under local. I hope this helps!
Best,
Dr. Donald Groves
Plastic Surgeon

The lift procedure you had puts tension on the closure of the areola. At this time, you can undergo a scar revision and there will be less tension at this time.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

You have hypertrophic scars around your areola. They will not likely get better overtime. The most minimally invasive treatment to attempt is a steroid injection to see if you can get the scars to settle, be flatter and stop itching. A more invasive option would be to excise the present scars, and then immediately treat the new incision with solid silicone sheeting (not silicone gel), used at all times unless you are showering. This treatment would be required to continue for many months to see if the hypertrophic scars can be suppressed. Best wishes.

Dear Optimistic649285,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Keloids are a difficult problem. I would recommend dilute kenalog injection followed by a scar revision.

You appear to have hypertrophic scars which can be injected with Kenalog, a steroid to help them flatten and calm down. Please go back to your surgeon and discuss your concerns.

Individuals who are prone to hypertrophic scars need to be managed diligently after surgery. Ideally surgeons should review scar history with patients to get an idea if hypertrophic scars are likely after surgery. If they are, then some individuals may opt to not have certain procedures.
After surgery it’s important that hypertrophic scars are managed. My preferred method is using silicone sheeting, and this should be instituted starting around six weeks. The silicone sheeting cannot keep hypertrophy under control. It’s important to understand that even small amounts of added inflammation can make scars significantly worse. This means that scratching or rubbing the scars is a big no no and this can make the situation worse and prolonged.
The scars should be protected from rubbing against clothing with the use of silicone sheeting. If the situation gets really bad, then a consideration for very dilute, anti-inflammatory stared injections should be given. Steroids have serious drawbacks and can send out scars which can also make them wide.
It’s not an easy situation to manage but at a minimum I recommend using silicone sheeting for at least 3 to 6 months.
Consider consulting with some other plastic surgeons if you don’t feel like you’re getting the care you need from your provider.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD