What I can do to flatten/lighten my breast scars? (photo)

Question

I'm 1 yr post op and I am absolutely disgusted by my surgical scars. Please advise.

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Breast incisions can be managed using a multimodal approach in the post-operative period:
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 darkeningThis far out after surgery, I would recommend that you consider fractionated lasers.  With the darker skin tone, you may want to consider a radiofrequency procedure such as the Venus Viva.  I would also consider the use of steroids to help reduce the degree of scarring.

Roy Ng, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

You have hypertrophic scars. These can be treated with steroid injections, but bear in mind that they are not 100% successful and they have some local side effects that your doctor should warn you about. They are not the same steroids that can affect your body as a whole in any way, so you need not worry about that. They can help to soften and flatten the scars. However, the scars themselves are permanent and I trust you were appropriately informed of this prior to your surgery.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Injections/creams/IPL laser can "maybe" improve. But I ALWAYS explain to MY patients in their pre operatives informed consent session that there will be noticeable scars following a breast reduction. Maybe you missed this or it was never offered to you?

A.J. Khalil, MD · Answer

Unfortunately you developed hypertrophic scaring. I would recommend steroid injection to help flatten the scar at this point and see if that improves the thickness of the scar. If that doesn't work then I would recommend  to have the scar revised, with  aggressive scar cream, taping and silicone sheeting after the scar is removed. Good Luck.

Douglas J. Mackenzie, MD · Answer

It seems that some of your scars are hypertrophic.  Steroid injections can soften, flatten, and lighten the scars.  It won't narrow the scars, only a scar revision could help possibly make the scars more narrow.  The injections usually need to be done 2 or 3 times.  Discuss this option with your surgeon, as well as the slight risks involved with steroid injections.  If they don't improve the scars to your satisfaction, a scar revision might be necessary. Close follow-up with silicone taping for 12 weeks may help the second time around, as well as injecting a small amount of steroid in any scar that seems to be beginning to get thick.

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What I can do to flatten/lighten my breast scars? (photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: Breast Scar

Answer: Breast Scar

Answer: Improving thick dark scars a year later

Answer: Improving thick dark scars a year later

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Everything you need to know about Breast Lift

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