7 months post breast augmentation, now have an ugly scar. Options? (photos)

Hi &  thanks for your question.Options are  available to you. Laser to the area, injections or excision.  I suggest contacting your surgeon to discuss scar revision. Best wishes.

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

Dear barbiebebe,scars can become less visible after laser treatment. 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

Thank you for your question and photographs.  Scars can take up to a full year to full mature.  Redness frequently fades during this healing time.  That being said, laser is an option for lightening a red scar.  Best to seek care with an experienced physician who can direct you regarding laser options or consider a scar revision after 1 year.  Best of luck.

Sorry to hear you’re having a frustrating experience with scarring after breast augmentation. However, it sounds like you’re taking all the right steps to help minimize their appearance, and I would recommend sticking to the treatment regimen that you’ve discussed with your plastic surgeon. Laser treatments can help to reduce redness, and you should be able to see a good outcome. Keep in mind that it can take up to 18 months for scars to completely heal and mature, so with time, your scars should continue to improve.

It is unfortunate that you ended up with keloid scars after your breast augmentation, but don't lose hope. You've taken the right steps with steroid injections and topical treatments. You can also certainly try a laser to lighten the appearance. It may take a few sessions with a laser for a notable difference. Your plastic surgeon might offer laser treatment for scars, so I would call and ask about it. If they don't, they may be able to recommend another practice. If you still don't get the results you want after your laser sessions, you can consider a scar revision after a year. 

Thabk you for your question.I’m sorry to hear you are having this outcome.  It sounds you are doing what needs to be done with the steroid injections and silicone topically.  A series of intense pulse light treatments or vascular type laser such as pulse dye laser can help with the redness.  The scar could also be revised after a year.  Dr.L

Hello and thank you for your question.  Although breast augmentation incisions typically heal without issues, we occasionally see patients who heal with a hypertrophic scar. My best recommendation is to follow up with your original surgeon, or obtain a second opinion regarding having the scar excised and revised.Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc”

RealSelf100

America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council