How Can I Reduce Areola Scars from Breast Augmentation?

There is no way to remove scars (other than replacing them with other scars).
There are several treatments with scientific evidence that make small improvements in normal healing scars.
They include:
1. Scar massage
2. Silicone sheeting
3. Topicals like Mederma
Timing of the use of these treatments is important and using something like Mederma too early can cause wound healing problems.
Remember, it won't remove the scar but it will make them less noticeable.
For atypical scars (keloids and hyertrophic scars there are additional treatments like steroid injections which carry separate risks but may be of some benefit).
I hope this helps.
Steven Williams, MD

There are new scar gels which have growth factors in them which can improve the appearance of the scars.  I typically wait one month before applying anything to the scars.

All scars are permanent, but will always fade with time. I tell patients to massage their scar to soften it and to apply topical scar creams such as Mederma to help lighten the scar. There are also scar creams available in many surgeons office that have silicone to compress the scar. Using silicone sheets also helps to soften and compress scars. Avoiding direct sunlight on the scar by using sun block will also help to speed the healing and fading time. 

How long ago was your surgery done ? If it is less than 12 months ago, so you still have a good chance that the scars get better if you deal properly with them. The first 24 months post op the scars are somewhat active, so you should do repeated massage of the scars daily, and you may use silicon gel and lightning cream. Laser treatment is also may be very efficient. Within 6 months the scars will most probably improve. Do not expose them to the sun during this period as well.I advise you to do the above procedures and be patient. In time they may become very discrete.

Areolar scars after a breast augmentation are under tension which tends to make scars larger, the body will do this to overcome these forces and help heal after surgery. Silicone sheets have been clinically verified to help with these scars. Silicone containing scar gels and creams are also used. Generally, the best time to address scar hypertrophy is between one month and 6 months after surgery. In my experience, larger scars improve little after this time (except color as this will fade for a year or more). Close follow-up with your surgeon for a year post op is often practiced to address these issues as they occur.

Thank you for your question. Breast incisions can be managed using a multimodal approach:
1) Scar massage - starting as soon as the surgical dressings come off and the incisions are sealed
2) Silicone sheets or scar gels for about six months to year
3) Embrace - a tension reducing dressing for the first 2 months
4) Fractionated lasers to help blend the scar into the background - done as a series, starting about 4 weeks after surgery and repeated every four weeks for six months.
5) Sunscreen to prevent the scars from darkening

With any surgery, there is always a trade off when you decide to go through a breast augmentation- you are left with a scar. There are multiple things that can help reduce the appearance of the scar. The first thing we recommend is silicone scar gel that is applied 2 weeks after your surgery, or once the incisions have healed. Any product that has silicone in the ingredients will help with your areola scars. We also strongly recommend that you get in the habit of applying sunscreen to the scars. UV rays can cause the scar to turn dark, especially for women with  fair skin. You may feel that your scars are slightly raised and/or "bumpy" after surgery. Doing a light massage on the scar will help flatten it over time.   Scar maturation can take up to a full year and sometimes longer, so its important that you start getting in the habit of scar care early to get the best outcome!

The scars around the areola after breast augmentation typically heal very nicely. It takes a full year for a scar to mature fully. Some treatments can help that process occur more quickly include silicone sheets/gel, daily scar massage, or the use of paper tape applied over the scar.It's best to ask your surgeon about formal recommendations because they will have specific techniques that they prefer. Also important to make sure that your incisions have fully healed before starting any scar therapy.

Hello! Thank you for the question!  The typical incision used for breast augmentation are: inframammary (in the fold beneath your breast), periareolar (at the border of the areola), axillary (within the armpit crease), and TUBA (through the umbilicus). Incision placement will do a lot with your preference, surgeon comfort level with that approach, and the type of implant - silicone implants will be difficult to place within certain access incisions. Breast augmentation scars are well concealed and are very discrete. They should not be visible within clothing, and likely hidden without clothing. If your concern is the visibility without garments, you should consider remote access incisions such as in the armpit. However, these other incisions heal very well on the breast and often times inconspicuous. It is common for scars to fully mature for up to a year. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to ameliorate your incision/scar. The most proven (as well as cheapest) modality is simple scar massage. Applying pressure and massaging the well-healed scar has been shown to improve the appearance as it breaks up the scar tissue, hopefully producing the finest scar as possible. Other things that have been shown to add some benefit, albeit controversial, are silicone sheets, hydration, and topical steroids. In addition, avoidance of direct sunlight to the incision will significantly help the appearance as they tend to discolor with UV light during the healing process. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately a year's time, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself.Consult with a plastic surgeon your goals, concerns, and expectations. Certainly incisions should be considered, but should not limit your overall result by hindering visualization and access to your surgeon, and what produces the best results in his/her hands.Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

First realize that scars always get better in time, sometimes up to two years. I also recommend silicone gel sheeting.

Scarring is inevitable after any surgical procedure. When breast augmentation is performed, every effort is made to hide the scars where they won’t be noticeable. Incisions are typically hidden in the armpit, beneath the fold of the breast and at the junction between the areola and the surrounding skin.

Unfortunately, in rare cases, adverse scarring can occasionally occur. This is usually due to wound healing biology and is frequently seen in patients with darker pigmentations.

It’s important to remember that wound healing continues for over a year after a surgical procedure. During this phase of wound healing, there are several maneuvers that can be performed to minimize scarring. These include mechanical massage, the use of silastic sheeting and topical agents such as mederma. Even when these methods are used, scarring may still be a problem.

If scars have failed to improve after they have reached maturity, scar revision may be an option. If you’re concerned about scarring, you should consult with your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon will be able to recommend an appropriate course of action.