How to regain pigmentation in areola after gynecomastia surgery? (photo)

Question

I had gyne surgery around 4 months ago. The sutures were too tight on the left side I think, there was a scab, and now I have those depigmented spots. They were initially red/pink, now they are whitish. They are more obvious in real life than in the picture. Some plastic surgeon recommended coconut butter to apply to regain brown pigmentation. Do you recommend that? or can dermatology help? or just leave it alone and it will regain pigmentation on its own? Thanks.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. If the depigmentation is the sar from the incision used to remove the gland this is unlikely to materially change over time but you could pursue tattooing after a year.  If the depigmentation is along the skin adjacent to the incision then this tends to improve spontaneously with time.  Have your surgeon discuss the best options with you.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and picture.  I know of no science that shows that coconut butter (or any type of dermatologic intervention) and will help with return of pigmentation. However, time may be helpful, given that you are only four months of the procedures. In other words, I would not be surprised if you are happier with the appearance of the scars one year or later post op.  Sometimes, in the longer term, scar revision surgery may be helpful when it comes to improvement of scar appearance. Best to continue to follow up with your plastic surgeon.   Best wishes.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Sometimes the pigment temporarily disappears and over time it returns to a normal color. I would give it 6 months to a year and if it does not, you can always consider tattoo pigment to blend it.

Robert L. Kraft, MD, FACS · Answer

My advice would be to wait until a year postop. If there is no change, then you can consider medical tattooing to restore the pigmentation.  Cocobutter will have no effect other than moisturizing the area.

Bruce K. Barach, MD (retired) · Answer

since you are only a few months out from surgery, you should just wait it out another 8 months or so and probably a reasonable chance things might improve on their own. any moisturizer would be ok to use on the scars, but i don't know of any which is more likely to result in what you are hoping to see happen. if repigmentation doesn't occur spontaneously in the time i've suggested, than tattooing would be a good option at that point.

How to regain pigmentation in areola after gynecomastia surgery? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Areolar pigmentation

Answer: Areolar pigmentation

Answer: Scars from any surgery including gynecomastia surgery take a year to mature

Answer: Scars from any surgery including gynecomastia surgery take a year to mature

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Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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How to regain pigmentation in areola after gynecomastia surgery? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: Areolar pigmentation

Answer: Areolar pigmentation

Answer: Scars from any surgery including gynecomastia surgery take a year to mature

Answer: Scars from any surgery including gynecomastia surgery take a year to mature

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Gynecomastia Surgery

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