How Long for Scars to Heal From Breast Implant Removal?

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

It can take a year for scars to mature. That does not mean that you can't begin scar treatments sooner. There are many options available including silicone strips, scar creams, and the vitamin E oil you mentioned. Check with your surgeon first, but at one month post op you should be able to begin these treatments at any time.

Scars are usually their firmest and reddest at the 6-12 weeks mark and then settle down with time. For specific instructions you should ask your surgeon. 

Thank you for the question.

You will find that the scars will “feel smoother” 6 months from now  and will continue to improve on a yearly basis. The plastic surgeon will likely have a preferred incision line management routine;  always best to check with him/her. Personally, we recommend the use of silicone gel/ sheeting.

Best wishes.

All scars go through a maturation process that can usually takes one to two years depending on how thick the skin is.  I always tell my patients their scars will look worse before they look better.  You may be feeling the sutures beneath the skin.  Most likely your surgeon used absorbable sutures that may take several months to dissolve completely.  Around three months breasts scars will get a little raised and look red.  At around nine months they usually start to fade and flatten.  There are many scar treatments the best of which is silicone sheeting which speed up the process a little, but time will usually take care of it if you are patient.  Massaging also helps.  Don't worry.