Severe acne after my breast augmentation. Was it caused by surgery? When will it go away or how to treat it? (Photo)

Question

Hi There, I have my breast augmentation surgery 7 weeks ago, I now have horrible acne on my chest, neck, face and upper back. My skin as become so sensitive and pimple rashes have become worse and my skin is very itchy. I have treated them with a scrub, antibacterial lemon myrtle soap, tea tree face wash, and I am on Minomycin 50mg. If you can provide any solution and clarify if it will eventually go away and if it has in fact been caused by the surgery. Thank you very much for your help.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

Occasionally this will occur after breast augmentation.  It may be from the skin preparation soap for surgery or the stretching from the implants.  Steroid creams and antibiotics sometimes help minocycline 100 mg once per day.

Gurmander Singh Kohli, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for writing.It is very unlikely that acne has any causative relationship to breast augmentation.The occurrence of acne probably is coincidental. Early ace is often treated by doing things that will reduce the production of sebum in the glands of the skin and also causing the skin to exfoliate. Use a facial sponge scrub such as 'Buff-Puff" with a Soap such as Cetaphil of Neutrogena Ace wash. Wash your face with this twice daily and avoid make up that plugs up the skin pores. Please see a dermatologist if this simple early treatment does not show any response in 11 days. Sometimes people give up a treatment too early without waiting for it to work. Please be patient. Please let your surgeon know in case he thinks you will benefit for any oral antibiotics. It depends on how soon after the date of surgery you are.

Mark Gaon, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Typically, these symptoms occur as a result of the surgical soap/scrub or other skin preparation used for your surgery. Look to see if the pattern of acne or irritation follows an outline spreading from the neck area to your lower abdomen. If the irritation is beyond these areas and includes the back or your arms/legs, then one of the medications you took after your surgery is the likely culprit. This sort of reaction can take a few weeks to fully resolve and all you can do is treat the irritation with mild steroid creams and moisturizer. Benadryl will also help with any symptoms of itchiness.

Thomas M. DeWire Sr., MD (retired) · Answer

emtcibondi,An outbreak of acne on the chest, or face, sometimes occurs after augmentation, though it is certainly not common.  It generally occurs in patients who have had acne in the past, especially acne that fluctuates with the menstrual cycle,  and may be related to transient bacterial flora changes on the skin after a course of antibiotics.  Generally this will gradually resolve, in my experience.  This may require assessment by a dermatologist, though your Plastic Surgeon should also be apprised of this.  I hope that this helps.

Severe acne after my breast augmentation. Was it caused by surgery? When will it go away or how to treat it? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Transient acne outbreak after augmentation

Answer: Transient acne outbreak after augmentation

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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

Severe acne after my breast augmentation. Was it caused by surgery? When will it go away or how to treat it? (Photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Transient acne outbreak after augmentation

Answer: Transient acne outbreak after augmentation

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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