What can be done to minimize the appearance of lollipop breast lift scars?

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

It is very important to make sure that you do not start scar therapy treatments too soon. Generally, it is good to just to some Bacitracin ointment or Aquaphor for a couple weeks first after sutures are removed at about week three. So by week 5-6 your body should have by then completely finished the first faze of regenerating and healing. Try using a medical grade silicone gel sheeting like BIODERMIS. Pure vitamin E oil also works very well. It is crucial to make sure you are keeping you incisions out of the sun or exposure to tanning beds, etc. For this may deepen the scarring.

Thank you for posting your question here.Scars are a major issue in plastic surgery and surgery in general. The way to minimize scars starts with the way the surgeon handles the tissue , the sutures they use and the amount of tension on the wound itself. Those factors can relatively be controlled , by gently handling the tissues , using less reactive sutures and in certain areas removing those sutures within the right time frame, and by minimizing tension on the wound (for example not excising too much tissue, using devices that can decrease tension on the area etc (like brijjit, prevena etc).
During the healing process the use of silicone gels and tapes can also help decrease scarring and the use of laser can help improve the scar appearance and pigmentation .
That being said the biggest factor is the patient's physiology , some patients heal well they form minimal scar and their scars are almost unnoticeable while others form keloids and hypertrophic scars this factor unfortunately cannot be controlled but you can make sure that you are physically optimized by eating well and when cleared by your surgeon or pre-operatively working out.
That being said though I would recommend utilizing most of those tools in decreasing any scarring I would recommend discussing them with your surgeon first. I would also not judge a scar immediately post operatively as scars change as they mature and usually improve and become lighter in color and less obvious with time .
I hope this helps. Best of luck!

If you’re dealing with challenging scars from your previous breast lift and want to optimize your healing this time, there are several advanced scar treatment options you can consider. Here are some early scar treatments with proven success:
Medical-Grade Silicone Gel and Sheets: High-quality silicone gel or sheets, often prescribed by dermatologists, can be more effective than over-the-counter options. These products help to flatten and reduce redness in scars. Brands like Kelo-cote or ScarAway are well-regarded in clinical settings.
Custom Scar Therapy: Consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon who specializes in scar management. They may recommend custom scar treatments or combinations tailored to your specific needs.
Advanced Laser Therapy: Fractional laser treatments can improve scar texture and color. Although expensive, these treatments often offer significant results and might be worth considering if other methods have been ineffective.
Microneedling: This technique involves using fine needles to create tiny punctures in the skin, stimulating collagen production and improving scar appearance. It’s usually performed in a series of sessions and can be effective for scar reduction.
Prescription Topical Treatments: Certain prescription creams and ointments, like those containing steroids or other active ingredients, may be recommended by your dermatologist to manage severe scarring.
Early and consistent use of these treatments can improve outcomes. It’s crucial to start treatment as soon as your surgeon gives you the go-ahead, and to follow all aftercare instructions carefully.

Scarring after breast surgery is something that scares many patients. However, if the right steps are taken, the scar can be barely noticeable and even imperceptible. The technique used by your surgeon will largely dictate how your scar will turn out (not putting too much tension on the incision/scars). After surgery, using silicone tape/gel, lasers, SPF and avoidance of sun/covering incisions is extremely important. The scar takes a full year to mature, so doing all of those things after surgery for a full year is critical. Trust the process.

Keep a close follow up with your surgeon. should the scars start to thicken, have them injected with Kenalog. I would still use scar products like Mederma or Scar Guard for 6 months.

To minimize the appearance of scars from a lollipop breast lift, there are several approaches that can help reduce their visibility:
1. Follow Post-Surgical Instructions: Carefully following your plastic surgeon’s post-op care instructions is critical. This includes keeping the incision site clean and dry, avoiding heavy lifting, and wearing any compression garments as recommended.
2. Use Silicone Sheets or Gels: Silicone sheets and gels are commonly used to reduce scar thickness and discoloration. They help to keep the skin hydrated and promote healing.
3. Massage the Scars: Once the incisions have healed, gentle scar massage can help break down fibrous tissue and improve blood flow, which can reduce the appearance of scars.
4. Protect Scars from the Sun: Sun exposure can darken scars, making them more visible. Applying sunscreen or covering the area with clothing will protect your scars from UV damage.
5. Laser Therapy: Laser treatments, such as fractional laser therapy, can be used to smooth and lighten scars over time.
6. Microneedling: This treatment can stimulate collagen production in the skin, which can improve the texture and appearance of scars.
7. Topical Treatments: Products that contain ingredients like vitamin E, onion extract (found in some scar gels), or retinoids can help reduce the appearance of scars.
8. Steroid Injections: In cases where scars are raised or thickened (hypertrophic scars), steroid injections can help flatten and soften them.
9. Patience: Scars naturally fade over time, so while they may be more prominent initially, they often become less visible as the skin heals.
A consultation with your plastic surgeon or dermatologist can help determine the best scar-minimizing approach based on your skin type and healing process.

There are many scar treatments available. Silicone strips and creams when used consistently can promote good scar healing. Sometimes steroid injections and laser treatments performed at your surgeons office are also helpful. Check with your surgeon for her/his recommendations.

Your provider should be managing your scars during your recovery or helping you with what to do.
Plastic surgeons should have sufficient skill and experience to know what to do.
I generally have my patience use silicone sheeting starting at the first signs of scar hypertrophy, but not sooner.
It’s important to differentiate hypertrophy versus hyperpigmentation.
Hypertrophic scars can be itchy and it is absolutely paramount to never scratch scars or do anything that causes irritation directly on or over the scar tissue.
In severe cases, inflammatory steroid injections can be indicated, but these have significant side effects and can cause bad widening of the scar.
Steroid injections should only be used as a last resort and used very conservatively.
I generally do not recommend laser treatments early in the recovery. Period.
Basically you want to minimize anything that causes inflammation.
Sometimes even with ideal management scars are inevitable.
Follow up with your provider and ask them for guidance through this process.
I generally do not recommend patients make their own medical decisions without the insight of an experienced provider.
Good luck,
Mats Hagstrom MD