What is the Healing Process of an Areola Incision? (photo)

Question

I just had breast aug with an areola incision 3 weeks ago. I am putting bacitracin zinc on around 3 times a day. Then next week I am starting silicone strips for 12 hours a day. The scars look scary now, but i know they will look fine eventually. I was hoping you guys could tell me specifically about the healing process, how long it takes, what to expect. etc. and if you have any tips for the scars to look as good as possible. Thank you. p.s. when will the initial redness go away?

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

WOW - what a great early appearance of a surgically well executed Benelli (circumareolar) mastopexy.  I agree with Dr. Tholen.  You need to stop the Bacitracin asap.  This will quickly lead to an allergic reaction.  I personally don't use silicone sheeting.  Since scars tend to separate leaving a visible scar between the areola and your breast skin, I use a particular type of steri strip called Proxistrip.  I place them around the areola and over the junction of the areola with the breast skin.  They are very long lasting and can stay on for two weeks without problems.  I change them every two weeks for about three months.  I find that this allows pleating to go down without separation of the areola from the breast skin.  With reference to the redness of your scars, the redness is there because there is increased blood supply where new collagen is being laid down.  This collagen gives strength to the healing tissue.  The redness will go once the scar matures, and scars mature faster in my experience with steri strips supporting the wound healing.  The strip itself teaches the new collagen to come in flat and not bumpy.  

	This, of course, is what I recommend in my practice.  Since your surgeon did such an excellent job of the surgery, I am sure he or she also has a post op regiment which will give you the best results based on his or her own surgical technique.

Tim Neavin, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Shortly after the wounds heal, you may be left with a red, raised line along the edges of the incision. Over time, the scar color should fade to pink and then to white. They should also flatten out in texture. This scar lightening will take several months up to a year after surgery.

David J. Levens, MD · Answer

Your early appearance looks perfect. Using a silicone gel and/or sheeting is the best treatment for your scars as you are doing and you should continue for at least several months. With time there will be lessening of the early redness. Also the early "puckering" appearance is quite normal for the type of "donut" lift that you had and it will lessen/flatten with time.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Breast incisions can be managed using a multimodal approach:
1)  Scar massage - starting as soon as the surgical dressings come off and the incisions are sealed
2)  Silicone sheets or scar gels for about six months to year
3)  Embrace - a tension reducing dressing for the first 2 months
4)  Fractionated lasers to help blend the scar into the background - done as a series, starting about 4 weeks after surgery and repeated every four weeks for six months.
5)  Sunscreen to prevent the scars from darkening

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Scarring is inevitable after any surgical procedure.  When breast augmentation is performed, every
effort is made to hide scars where they won’t be noticeable.  The peri-areolar approach hides scars at the
junction between the areola and the surrounding skin.

It’s
important to remember that wound healing continues for over a year after a
surgical procedure.  During this phase of
wound healing, there are several maneuvers that can be performed to minimize
scarring.  These include mechanical
massage, the use of Silastic sheeting and topical agents such as Mederma.  Even when these methods are used, scarring
may still be a problem.

If
scars have failed to improve after they have reached maturity, scar revision
may be an option.  If you’re concerned
about scarring, you should consult your plastic surgeon.  Your surgeon will be able to recommend an
appropriate course of action.

What is the Healing Process of an Areola Incision? (photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Breast scar management

Answer: Breast scar management

Answer: Healing can take over a year...

Answer: Healing can take over a year...

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.

What is the Healing Process of an Areola Incision? (photo)

Answers (10)

Answer: Breast scar management

Answer: Breast scar management

Answer: Healing can take over a year...

Answer: Healing can take over a year...

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.