Are my breast reduction scars healing properly? (Photo)

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

Thanks for your question! Your scars do look a little thicker and darker than is normal. I would suggest scar gel and perhaps some microneedling or laser treatments to improve the appearance. Good luck!

Dear sherlock87,
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

From your submitted photos it appears you are developing hypertrophic scars. There are various treatments to help them fade and become flatter such as laser treatments and steroid injections. The option is also there to have them revised. Now that the surrounding tissue is healed the tension will be less on the revised incisions and will hopefully result in better scar formation.

From your photos and your description it seems as if you are having some scarring issues. You may be developing some hypertrophic or keloid scars. The scar massage will help but will not completely solve the problem. Try using silicone sheets as well and you may need to go back to your surgeon for some other therapies to help with the scarring like steroid injections or laser therapies.

Photos posted demonstrate spread wide scarring. Only surgical revision of all the scars can improve the appearances. Fee $5,000
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Hi and welcome to our forum!From your photos, I note red, elevated, thick scarring following your breast reduction. This is not abnormal in the early stages of healing as it takes 12-18 months for the scar to mature. At 9 months out, the scar appears somewhat hypertrophic.There are non-invasive and invasive methods to treat these entities. Hypertrophic scars often spontaneously regress with time, the final scar noted when the redness of inflammation has subsided (usually at 12-18 months). The application of pressure and immobilization of a scar with silicone gel sheeting appears to hasten resolution of the process. Various creams are available, but their efficacy is questionable.Laser treatments are available with varying degrees of success. Injection of corticosteroids directly into the scar may flatten the scar and alleviate symptoms, but may also broaden the scar and cause pigmentary change in the skin locally. For this reason, we usually delay its use for as long as possible.Surgical scar revision is an option to consider if regression is not noted at 18 months after the procedure. Speak about your treatment options with your plastic surgeon.Best wishes...