Why is the implant scar on my right breast still bright red it's been 3 years? (Photo)

Question

I want to know why the scar on my left breast still bright red after 3 years? What type of scar is this and what can I do to make it better?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Thank you for your picture.  It appears that you have some increased pigmentation in that scar and it is slightly widened.  Surgical revision or LASER therapy are the options.Dr. ES

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Let's assume same surgeon both breasts, same suture technique, same lack of obvious infection, and same avoidance of ultraviolet exposure. We know it's the same genetics of individual healing (and, in the same area of the body), so there can only be differences in the way the wound healed at the time of your original surgery. Both scars are flat and the left is minimally widened, but the right is definitely more discolored. Perhaps the right  side had more bruising or subcutaneous bleeding (or pocket blood that gravity pooled on that right side). I also assume that one did not get more ultraviolet exposure than the other, because this can certainly cause this discrepancy.So to summarize, something (your guess may be even better than mine, since you observed the healing process) caused one side to heal and mature its scar differently from the other. BTW, these scars are completely mature and cannot be expected to change with additional passage of time.At this point, you have two options.excise and revise the "bad" scar and hope that with good technique and perfect healing you will end up with a scar that is as good or better than the present one. (Small chance it could be worse.)consider pulsed dye laser treatment if this discoloration is indeed vascular. If it is more bronze hemosiderin discoloration, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, then this laser will not work. But if vascular, one treatment will lighten the capillary redness significantly, just as this laser works on port-wine stain birthmarks.I'd recommend laser treatment first, as this still leaves the option open for scar excision and revision. I hope this helps. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

I am not sure it is red as much as it is hyper pigmented. There are many reasons why one would have discolored scar. Some of this is genetic. Certain races have darker scars and also thicker scars. I am not sure why one is better than the other, but you could easily have the surgeon remove the scar in the office and re-suture it. I do see in my practice the same thing happen. Often times I can fix them once time has passed and I excise them as I have discussed above. You should know that may not cure the problem but it really is the best shot. Another option to fade the scar is to have it layered. That can help with pigment changes like you have. You should protect your scar with sunscreen as well.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Sometimes the bloos pigment gets trapped in the scar thus a dis coloration occurs. Either scar revision under local anesthesia or try derma roller therapy at 2 mm depth...

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Your scar looks like it spread. The redness may be amenable to some laser treatment or even consider a scar revision. Now with the tissues stretched, there might be less spreading.

Why is the implant scar on my right breast still bright red it's been 3 years? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Why is the implant scar on my right breast still bright red it's been 3 years?

Answer: Why is the implant scar on my right breast still bright red it's been 3 years?

Answer: Red scars after 3 years

Answer: Red scars after 3 years

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Everything you need to know about Breast Augmentation

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Why is the implant scar on my right breast still bright red it's been 3 years? (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Why is the implant scar on my right breast still bright red it's been 3 years?

Answer: Why is the implant scar on my right breast still bright red it's been 3 years?

Answer: Red scars after 3 years

Answer: Red scars after 3 years

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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.