Some of my breast scars are coloured black. Is this normal?

Question

One year ago, I had a breast augmentation with a full anchor lifting with replacing my nipples. 8 months later after op i get pregnant. now i am 30 weeks pregnant and some of my scars around the breast get a dark, black colour...is that normal...i am a bit scared.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Paul Vitenas, Jr., MD · Answer

The
color of which you describe your breast scars is common; it is a condition
referred to as hyperpigmentation.  This
is not at all unusual during pregnancy, due to an increased level of hormones within
your system.  These areas of
hyperpigmentation may resolve on their own. 
A consultation with an experienced, Board Certified plastic surgeon will
be able to fully explain this issue to you, as well as the expected resolution.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Hyperpigmentation during pregnancy is not uncommon. If you are worried you should seek an in person follow up appointment with your plastic surgeon. Best of luck.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Hyperpigmentation is not uncommon in pregnancy.  Sometimes this resolves some time after the delivery.  At any rate, it is unlikely that any treatment would be offered while you are pregnant. A call to your plastic surgeon may be helpful, as may seeing him/her after delivery to discuss options.Good luck with the pregnancy. All the best.

Chad Robbins, MD · Answer

This may be due to hormones and pregnancy, the areola's get darker , some women get a vertical dark line on their abdomen,  melasma or pregnancy mask appears on women's faces, as well.  It does take a year for scars to mature, were you in the sun at any point since your surgery where they may have tanned? Your OB/GYN can take a look and tell you if it's pregnancy related, if not , you can visit your PS and get their opinion.

Stephen M. Davis, MD, FACS · Answer

You don't mention your race / ethnicity but in general darker skinned patients who have more melanin in their skin have darker scars. That being said there is also the effect of pregnancy on skin colour and tone, for example the mask of pregnancy which can create a dark area around the eyes during pregnancy giving the appearance of a mask. This can also happen with breast skin.I would suggest you allow your plastic surgeon or ob/gyn to evaluate you just to ensure things are going well and are normal.Good LuckStephen M. Davis, MD, FACSGreen Hills Plastic Surgery

Some of my breast scars are coloured black. Is this normal?

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