What am I better off doing? Sticking w laser/steroid or revision? (Photo)

Question

I had my breast reduction/lift in February of 2024. I’m very happy with my results. One nipple keloid which is common for me. I do not scar well. My surgeon recommended a possible revision to cut the scar out and resuture. He has been injecting it also and recommended laser which I have done one treatment so far with pico sure, I really don’t see much difference yet. I did have a tummy tuck scar revision with a great result. What am I better off doing? Sticking w laser/steroid or revision ?

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Although it may seem like the same thing done again, it is in fact very different then the original surgery. A scar revision is a very small excision of the scar with precise closure of skin. The tissue has far better circulation then at the original surgery, which will optimize healing and minimize inflammation, the root cause of hypertrophic scarring.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

It seems like it has been injected multiple times. If you did well with your scar revision elsewhere, that may be a faster way to deal with this than continued laser. There is often tension on scars during the initial surgery, which can make scars thicken. At this point, it should be more straightforward.

I encourage patients getting scar revision to use silicone scar strips starting two weeks after surgery (for at least three months). I will also see them 4-6 weeks after surgery, and if there are any signs of hypertrophy, we inject with the dilute steroid at that time. Good luck.

Kenneth R. Francis, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear michy,
The technical definition of your scars is hypertrophic, not keloid.  There are distinct differences between the two, and fortunately for you, one of those differences is that hypertrophic scars will involute (shrink) over time.  Keloids will not.  Being relatively early in the maturation process of scarring (8 months), your best bet in my opinion would be topical silicone gel applications in some form.  Scars can take 2 years or more to mature.  Steroid injections, laser treatments, although somewhat effective carry some significant risks that you must be aware of as well.  Good luck!

What am I better off doing? Sticking w laser/steroid or revision? (Photo)

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What am I better off doing? Sticking w laser/steroid or revision? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Nipple Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.