5 months post op breast lift, what can I do to significantly reduce my hypertrophic scars? (photo)

Thanks for your question. Surgeons have their own protocol for treating post-op scars. I usually recommend silicone strips to help with scars.  Scars take one year or even longer to mature.  It is possible that with time your scars will improve on their own.  Steroid injections can be tried for symptomatic scars, but have the potential to make a scar look worse.  It is best to discuss this with your surgeon to know your options.  

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

Hypertrophic scarring can occur after any procedure for a variety of reasons. Some individuals are more prone to develope the problem than others. There are a number of options for treatment. Steroid injections into the scar will reduce them and generally take away the discomfort, however it will tend to thin the tissues and leave them pink. Topical steroid creams can also be of benefit and are less likely to cause discoloration. The best cosmetic result would probably be obtained with surgical revision. 

Dear christiana1990,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

Every surgeon usually has their own protocol for treating post-op scars. I usually recommend the silicone gel strips to help with improving scars.  You are only 5 months post-op.  Scars can take one year or even longer to mature.  It is possible that with time your scars will improve on their own with minimal intervention.  Yes, steroid injections and/or lasers can possibly make a scar appear worse.  Sometimes I will do a small test treatment on one small area of the scar to see how it reacts.  If I see improvement, then I would treat more of the scar.   It is best to discuss this with your surgeon and review the options.  Thanks for the question. 

Scars mature over the course of at least 12 months, so keep that in mind.  That being said, there are many therapies out there that are available which is what clouds the picture.  I agree with other comments that have been left which is, silicone gel sheeting has been shown to help.  You can undergo steroid injections (Kenalog is the name of the medication) if/when your surgeon feels that is appropriate.  Most importantly, I recommend following up with your surgeon and follow his/her recommendations.  

Hi thank you for your question. If things are improving that is good news. My first line approach is topical silicone too. There are doctors who can advise on lasers and steroid injections but I would discuss with your surgeon first as they seem to be giving you appropriate advice.Best wishes

I would recommend you discuss things again with your surgeon as each has their preferences. Steroid injections, laser treatments, silicone strips, and certain skin care products all may help.

How well you heal your incisions is based on tightness of skin when incision lines were closed, type of suture used, and how your body heals. Do you have any other scars. A scar revision will allow you to not only improve incision line, but also to reposition your incision on your breast, as well as to get a little more lift on your lateral breast mound where it still looks a little saggy. Your surgeon should be able to help you with this.

I always recommend my ScaRx tape to be worn after surgery or injury for several months.It is inexpensive, works and changed infrequently. However,if your scars are older, it will not work and you may need a pulsed dye laser or NdYag.