New Stretch Marks Started Developing 2 Months Post Op Breast Augmentation. Will They Become Less Prominent? (photo)

Stretch marks after breast augmentation is fortunately not common and they usually improve and fade over several months. About 5% of patients experience the degree of stretch marks that have occured. It is more common in patient who have not yet had children and when larger implants are utilized. However, except for not having surgery, there is nothing you or your surgeon could have done to prevent this.

Fortunately, the visibility of stretch marks diminsh with time. I would advise that for now that you are patient and allow for further healing and fading. Creams and supplements have not been consistently helpful to prevent or improve stretch marks - so save your money. If these marks are still bothersome after 6 months then you should speak with an experienced Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon who provides laser scar treatments. The color and texture may be amenable to improvment with various non-surgical treatments.

Good luck,

Dr. Mosher

Stretch marks are not a common consequence of breast augmentation, but for the unfortunate few they can be very distressing. Stretch marks come from a rapid stretching of the dermis (or deeper layers of the skin) resulting in tears and weakening of dermal layer and thinning of the skin in these areas. Once the dermis tears nothing really reverses the process. Over time stretch marks usually go from being pink or red when they are new to lighter or more pale as they mature. Treatments such as lasers or topical creams offered by some dermatologists may speed up the maturing process, but nothing actually repairs the damage from the stretching. Retin A that you asked about causes an increase in skin cell turnover (or exfoliation) and would not influence the thickness of the dermis in any way. The best advice is patience….they naturally improve a lot over time.

In my practice, Stretch Marks are rarely a result of breast augmentation. In the thousands I have done it is hare to remember but one or two that may have developed them. In some cases looking closely as the preoperative photos they were already there but just became transiently pink and more noticeable because of the normal increase of blood flow to the area after any surgery.The things I can think of that may make you more prone to this is if you are on steroids, certain endocrine conditions such as Cushing's syndrome and others, associated with a larger weight gain and light colored skin.