What can be done about dark breast lift scars 1 year post op?

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

Dear whitekitten,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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

There are a number of available options for dark pigmented scars. They range from topical therapies to lasers/light treatments to surgical excision. The distribution of the pigment makes it unlikely that this represents residual areolar pigmentation. It is more likely just pigmentation which may be a function of your unique healing capacity. With that in mind, I recommend beginning with less invasive treatments before proceeding to surgical excision as this could potentially reset the proverbial clock on the unfavorable healing process which is at issue currently.As always, discuss your concerns with a board certified plastic surgeon (ABPS).

Dark scars one year later can still be treated with local steroid injections, scar massage, mederma, silicone strips and/or tapes.Leftover areolar dark skin can be excised under local. Scars can be revised after aggressive local treatments above.An exam and consultation with your/a plastic surgeon is recommended to discuss your options and expectations. 

Scars darken because they were exposed to sun too early on in the healing process, or the type of skin you have. Micro-needling might be helpful followed by scar creams.