15 months post-op, what can be done to improve my surgery scars and what could have caused their appearance? (photos)

Question

Haven’t seen much luck with traditional scar cream. I’ve tried consistently using silagen, scar sheets, Mederma, you name it. I plan on getting CO2 laser in September, per my surgeon’s rec. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to improve the appearance and discoloration of the scars? Thoughts on using Hydroquinone Cream? Why do my scars look like this? I don’t smoke, rarely drink alcohol, and am 28 and in good health. Advice/thoughts appreciated.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear J_2020,
I understand you are concerned with the appearance of your scars. As your scars heal, it should flatten out and lighten. Loss of pigmentation or hyperpigmentation may also be experienced but will resolve over time. Always follow your surgeon's post operative care instructions when it comes to scar management to avoid any complications like infection and for faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

These are unusually wide and atrophic. Did you have steroid injections? Were there complications with initial healing?
Regardless, I question whether any laser (CO2 and vascular lasers combined with microneedling are the better non-surgical option) would be useful, or if surgical excision is not a better choice. You need to be seen in person with a few second opinion consultations.

Karl William Schwarz, MD · Answer

You are doing all of the right things but I wonder if you are massaging the incision with silicone. I know this might sound a little over simplified but silicone is wonderful and necessary and I would encourage you to use it but it must be massaged into the scars very firmly twice a day and then use the silicone strips or sheeting at night. Massage and silicone are the very best ways to get a good looking scar but the massage must be daily, firm, frequent and done for 12 months at least. I would agree with the laser but I would not stop the silicone massage. It will work but only if done in the manner I described above.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

You appear to be a good candidate for scar revision.  Your surgeon will excise the wide scars with the anticipation that the scars will heal more favorably with less tension on them.  You can begin scar therapy as soon as you are cleared by your surgeon to do so.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Your scars widened because of stretching from the implants. I would first suggest revising the scars for a thinner scar when you are at least 6 months out from surgery. Then 6 weeks later, do the laser or micro-needling for the scars.

15 months post-op, what can be done to improve my surgery scars and what could have caused their appearance? (photos)

Answers (5)

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