How to prevent stretch marks post BA?

Question

I have been warned by friends who have had a BA that they wish they had treated their skin pre operatively for stretch marks. Since I am prone to stretch marks I am wondering if it is safe for me to use stretch mark cream pre operatively and if so can I continue to use it post operatively? Is this safe in terms of surgery and recovery? The main ingredient in the stretch mark cream I have is olive oil, which contains a high concentration of Vitamin A, E, Beta Carotene and Squalene.

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

Personally, i prefer coco butter to soften the skin. Avoid drying soaps. Stretch marks are an unusual complication of breast augmentation. Avoid very large implants and heed the advise of your plastic surgeon to use breast implants appropriate for your breast skin envelope. Good luck...

Christian Subbio, MD · Answer

As you can see from this thread, the potential for a breast augmentation to cause stretch marks is debatable.  Regardless, there is no cream or oil or such which has ever been shown to treat or decrease stretch marks.  Do not be fooled by the scams online.Best of luck!
Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and congratulations on your upcoming breast augmentation.  Though always wise to maintain your skin moisturized it is very unlikely that a breast augmentation would cause you to develop stretch marks. It can initially worsen the appearance of any already present but not form new ones.  Hope this helps.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,Thank you for your question. There aren't generally restrictions for what you can put on your breasts pre/post op to moisturize them. Stretch marks caused by breast augmentation are rare in my experience and I'm not aware of any topical treatment preventing them. I recommend that you speak with your Plastic Surgeon about your concerns so that they can advise you.All the best

Matthew Schulman, MD · Answer

Stretch marks generally occur when an area gets large, and then gets small.  This occurs with pregnancy and then the weight loss, or when breasts get large and then small. It is uncommon for breasts to develop stretch marks after a breast augmentation, unless there were stretch marks present before the surgery. Your surgeon should be able to assess your skin and discuss your risks of developing stretch marks.

Richard G. Reish, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.  The
best advice you can receive is from an in-person consultation.  If you don't have stretch marks on your breasts prior to surgery, then there is little risk of developing stretch marks after surgery.  I do not advise any topical treatments to prevent stretch marks.     Make sure you
specifically look at before and after pictures of real patients who have
had this surgery performed by your surgeon and evaluate their
results.   The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified plastic surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Douglas Taranow, DO, FACOS · Answer

Breast augmentation does not cause stretch marks.  No stretch mark product I have seen in 22 years ever worked.  If they did, so many people would use them that you would know the name as easily as Viagra and it would be hard to find because it would be sold out every time.  Good luck with your surgery.Dr T

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear jessSA,Stretch marks on the breasts after breast augmentation are not that uncommon, as evidenced by your having plural friends that have warned you to pretreat your skin.  Unfortunately, there is no known effective pretreatment of the skin to prevent stretch marks (striae), or to treat them for that matter (my opinion, subject to change with changing technologies).  Striae remain an elusive problem and are likely a consequence of our individual skin genetics.  Most would agree that moisturizing your skin is a good thing and that higher profile, larger implants placed under tight skin will be more likely to result in stretch marks.  Good luck!

Adam Hamawy, MD · Answer

The best way to prevent stretch marks from occurring after breast augmentation is to properly select an implant that is not too large as to put excessive strain on your skin an tissues.  Creams rarely help otherwise every woman would be using it with pregnancy and we would eliminate the need for tummy tucks.

Nina S. Naidu, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, thank you for your question. The only time I have seen stretch marks was in a case in which high-profile implants were placed into very tight tissues, and the patient's stretch marks did resolve with time.  Nonetheless, you can certainly be proactive by using the cream you mentioned.  This also has a number of nice ingredients which will keep your skin hydrated in this pleasant NYC weather we're having right now.  :) Your skin will accomodate to its new size by about 6 weeks after surgery, so after that time you likely will not need to keep using the cream.
Best wishes,
Dr. Naidu

How to prevent stretch marks post BA?

Answers (18)

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