Scar Treatment Breast Augmentation
As we are all aware, any surgery requiring an incision will have a scar – and breast augmentation surgery isn’t any different. It is a concern for all women who would like to improve their appearance, and then, to end up with scarring that they didn’t bargain for. They want to improve something about their breasts – size or shape or symmetry, but dealing with scarring after a breast augmentation is usually the very last thing a woman thinks about, until it’s there.
In this guide, we review the aspects of Scar Treatment Breast Augmentation, best oil for scars after breast surgery, how to get rid of scars on breasts, and breast augmentation scar treatment.
Is It Possible To Minimize Breast Augmentation Scarring?
As the healing process begins after the surgery, it’s always a good idea to explore some of the options available to make the scars lighter in color. Even before your surgery, your doctor can advise you as to when an appropriate time to begin treatment to minimize your scarring. There are several options available to you.
• Microdermabrasion – this removes the top layers of the skin and consequently triggers the growth of healthy, more elastic skin. Microdermabrasion helps reduce the scarring after a breast augmentation.
• Retinol creams – they contain Retin-A which corrects pigmentation in scarred areas resulting in improved edges, makes neighboring skin healthier and therefore minimizing the scarring after breast augmentation.
• Lasers – these break down the scar tissue that can cause the scar to look large. As the scar tissue gets cleaned away, new tissue grows into place. A laser can significantly minimize scarring after breast augmentation surgery.
The most common place to insert the breast implant would be the underside of the breast, in the crease. The natural look of the bust is enhanced when the implant settles in. As the incision heals, the breast implants tend to move toward the incision location. When the incision is placed on the underside of the breast, the implants are going to settle on top of the tissue, leaving a natural look to the new breast implants.
Scar Treatment Breast Augmentation
Breast lift is surgery to lift breasts higher on the woman’s chest and to improve breast shape to a more youthful, round appearance. Surgeons tighten the breast skin envelope around existing breast tissue, then remove excess breast skin that caused the sagging. Skin removal produces scar on the breast. The more lifting and reshaping the breast needs, the more skin must be removed. The more skin that must be removed, in general, the longer the scar. Visible breast scars are not often sexy, nor are they beautiful. So how does the caring and skilled surgeon conceal breast scars?
If you’re asking before your breast lift surgery, then you’re becoming an educated patient. Educated patients nearly always have the best results. Prevention is the best treatment for scars. What can you do to prevent visible or objectionable breast lift scars?
1/ Scars are only one aspect of breast lift results. Compare scars among breast lift galleries at plastic surgeons’ sites, but also breast shape, proportion, nipple projection, and other elements of the beautiful breast. If you want minimal breast scars, avoid surgeons who lift breasts with an “anchor” type or “Wise pattern” scar. Such long scars traversing the entire width of the crease along the bottom of female breasts are no longer necessary.
2/ Stop smoking for at least 30 days prior to your breast lift surgery. Smoking impairs healing, may lead to wound breakdown, delayed recovery, and wider scars. Do not resume smoking after breast lift until your surgeon approves of it.
3/ Prepare NOT to run long distances or jump repetitively for two months after surgery. Ask your doctor about alternative exercises if you’re a runner or if you often jump as part of your fitness or competitive routine. The excessive motion may widen scars by collagen accommodation to the added stress.
4/ If you’re a “stomach sleeper,” most comfortable sleeping in the prone position, be sure you can sleep on your back or sides. If you cannot, you may be doomed to wound and scar problems after your breast lift. Your body weight resting on your healing breasts after surgery will widen and deform the scars.
5/ Disinfect skin by showering with antiseptics such as chlorhexidine gluconate or povidone-iodine for several days before your procedure. Infection may worsen scars, so it should be avoided. Breast lift surgeons often provide a preferred antiseptic in advance.
6/ If you’re getting implants with a breast lift, nasal decolonization before surgery with alcohol, povidone-iodine, mupirocin, and/or another antiseptic may diminish the chance of infection, avoiding the scars resulting from the treatment of infection.
7/ Be sure your surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, which requires all members to operate in accredited facilities and to hold hospital privileges in breast lift and other procedures performed in the office.
8/ Ask if your surgeon sits you up during the procedure to evaluate the location, length, symmetry, and configuration of breast lift closure, and thus, features of your scar.
9/ Ask about your surgeon’s post-operative scar management program. What happens if the scar is growing more prominent over time, rather than fading away as it should?
10/ Disclose any past healing problems to your surgeon, including corticosteroid related, Ehlers-Danlos, Lupus, Scleroderma, Pyoderma Gangrenosum, or others.
Scar minimization is an effort shared by the patient AND the surgeon. Surgical technique is important, and management of your breasts after surgery is also important.
Post-operative (After Breast Lift Surgery) Scar Reduction
Scarring is a normal part of healing from breast lift surgery, but it’s best if scars aren’t seen, if they’re essentially invisible on your body if they’re camouflaged within and on the breast skin. You can help your scars disappear after breast lift surgery. Try these techniques for minimizing your breast lift scars.
Getting rid of breast lift scars
Many factors influence scars after breast lift surgery. Age, genetics, skin color, allergies, excessive activity, inadequate support, wound trauma, infection, intercurrent illness, type of surgical closure, operative technique and materials used, and other elements impact scar formation and development. At Feel Beautiful Plastic Surgery, Dr. Laverson believes a comprehensive program for every woman, and with every woman, minimizes breast scarring. Dr. Laverson performs breast lifts only with areola or lollipop scars, never an anchor scar. Scars are permanent, but their visibility should be reduced so women forget about them and are unaware of them. Obvious breast lift surgery scars may be treated by corticosteroid injection, by bleaching medications, by camouflage tattoo, by laser or intense pulsed light, or by surgical revision, depending on what features are causing scar visibility.
Scar-reduction methods have their own potential complications, including pigment abnormalities and recurrent scarring, so they too must be carefully planned and managed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon.
best oil for scars after breast surgery
Nearly every woman who has had breast surgery, whether it was a lumpectomy, mastectomy – sometimes even a biopsy – finds herself dealing with scar tissue or keloids after her wounds have healed.
On a very basic level, scars are caused when the dermis, the layer of skin underneath the surface, is damaged. The body produces a fibrous tissue called collagen to close the wound and assist in healing. When collagen is left behind once the damage to the dermis has been repaired, a scar is the result.
The extent of an individual’s surgical scars has much to do with genetics, age, the type of surgery, and whether or not the skin has been previously radiated. Just as no two surgeries are identical – neither are the outcomes. And since we heal from the inside out, although a woman may feel that she is finished with the process several months after surgery, her skin may still be a work in progress.
It’s no wonder many women are troubled by the appearance of scars; they often feel like yet another assault on a body that has already endured so much. Although most scars will fade and diminish over time, it’s not unusual for a woman to feel impatient and look for ways to make this happen sooner rather than later.
While there are countless claims online and in commercials touting the effectiveness of one product or another, to date there is nothing that can absolutely guarantee a positive end result. Having said that, we searched on blogs, message boards and websites in an effort to share some of the remedies women are discussing.
Before we get started, we want to remind everyone that it is important not to use any products (other than those provided or approved by your doctor) on the surgical area until you’ve been given the green light by your healthcare team. It’s essential for the surgical site to be completely healed before you begin trying to find ways to reduce or eliminate scars.
Some Topical Topics – Lotions and Potions
There appears to be a consensus that massaging the scarred area often helps to reduce the uneven texture and lumpy/bumpy feel. This also seems to help ease the tight, uncomfortable pulling sensation so many women experience as their surgeries heal. Since massaging an area that may still feel tender is more comfortable using creams and oils, many of the treatments discussed include some sort of lubricant.
Plenty of advice floats around about massaging — with everything from Vitamin E creams purchased at the local pharmacy to high-end potions created specifically for this purpose. What’s interesting is that one person will swear by a product they’ve used, while another will say they have used it to no avail. This again, illustrates the basic fact that everybody (make that every body) is unique! The following are just a few of the topical treatments women have used with varying degrees of success.
Although applying oil to a scar will not promote new skin growth or remove the scar completely, sometimes oil will soften the area and possibly smooth out some of the fibrous tissue. When this occurs, it may help to reduce the appearance of the scar and make it less noticeable.
Since Castor oil will not block pores and is believed to help break up excess oil produced by the body, it is thought this may assist in diminishing the appearance of scars.
Remember, a little goes a long way, so applying a small amount of castor oil to your fingertips and massaging the oil over the affected area for a few minutes is suggested. You can do this a couple of times a day. The goal is to soften the scar tissue and help reduce any inflammation. Massaging promotes circulation and healing, and using oil reduces friction so you are less likely to irritate the area. Of course, you will want to rub softly.
It may go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway – any time you are using oils you should wash your hands thoroughly afterwards, so you don’t get the oil on your clothes.
Vitamin E, or tocopherol, is a fat-soluble antioxidant that can be readily found in capsule, liquid or cream form either online or at your local drugstore, grocery, or health food store. Although Vitamin E has been shown to penetrate layers of the skin and reduce the formation of free radicals that are believed to interfere with healing, it has not conclusively been shown to eliminate or reduce the appearance of scars.
Since Vitamin E influences the production of collagen there have been many studies conducted to determine its usefulness in healing scars. Although nothing definitive has been found, there is actually a concern that using Vitamin E may exacerbate the problem.
Onion (or Allium cepa) extract has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and regulate the formation of collagen. Although no studies have shown a significant improvement in the appearance of scar tissue, in a study of 97 people using either an onion gel or a placebo gel, more people using the onion gel thought their scars were softer and less noticeable. There’s something to be said for perception, especially if it brings peace of mind with it.
The aloe vera plant is well known for its natural anti-inflammatory properties which provide the ability to cool and soothe irritated skin and to help heal. Many people use it on burns and some people believe it is beneficial in helping reduce the appearance of scars.
It’s not uncommon for the size, color, and texture of a scar to continue changing for a couple of years after surgery as the dermis continues to re-form under the scar tissue. Proponents of aloe vera’s use feel this is the ideal time to apply it since it may reduce the inflammation associated with ongoing healing.
Using aloe vera in its pure gel form without any additives is believed to be the most effective method, and it doesn’t appear that frequent application has any adverse effects. Even its proponents say that aloe vera is not a miracle cure, since it may only minimally reduce the appearance of scars even after several months of treatment.
Although its use is relatively new here in the United States, Argan oil (traditionally extracted from the nuts of the Argan tree in Morocco) has long been valued for its purported nutritive, cosmetic and medicinal properties. Some believe that its balance of Omega-6 and -9 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), phytonutrients and phytosterols (plant derived sterols or stanols that promote heart health) may provide an anti-aging regenerative, hydrating, protecting and healing power for the skin.
Once again, because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Argan is touted to assist with everything from healing acne, erasing wrinkles, revitalizing and fortifying hair and nails, projecting the skin against sun damage and climate stress – and improving the look and feel of scars.
Allergan, a pharmaceutical company perhaps best known for Botox® and Restatis® has created Scar Recovery Gel with Centelline™ designed to diminish the appearance of red or pink scars over time. Their website shows the before and after results for a woman with mastectomy scars, and claims although results may vary, this product has shown promise when used as intended. This product is rather pricey compared to many other over-the-counter preparations, but if it delivers the promised results, it may well be worth the expense for some women.
iS CLINICAL, a well-respected skincare company, has a product called Super Serum™ Advance+ that they claim has been clinically proven to reduce the appearance of scar tissue.
The Super Serum™ (although fairly expensive) was developed to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, increase collagen production, treat hyperpigmentation, hypertropic scar tissue (a raised scar but not as much as a keloid) and stretch marks, as well as providing UV protection.
Esthetician Julie Phillips, owner of Skin Essentials in Montecito, CA, has used this line with good results and feels women who may not have had results with other products may want to give this a try. As she points out, it is very good for the face, so if it doesn’t work on a particular scar, the product won’t necessarily go to waste.
Mederma® (and Mederma® PM)
One of the most popular and perhaps well-known products for dealing with scars is a favorite of both physicians and pharmacists alike. Mederma® offers an entire line of products designed to improve the overall appearance, color and texture of scars. They claim their products will make scars softer, smoother and less noticeable.
Their relatively new night cream, Mederma®PM claims to be the first and only overnight scar cream specifically formulated to work while you sleep. With a once-nightly application they say it has been clinically shown that scars become smaller and less visible in as little as 14 nights.
Blogs and chats alike very often contain commentary extolling the benefits of using the time-honored standby: plain old Vaseline®. According to Dr. Terence Davidson, professor of surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine, in an article appearing in the Los Angeles Times in April of 2011, you should “Save your money. There are many old wives’ tales to buy into and a slew of products you can buy, but none have been scientifically proven to work.
“If a scar gets better after months of applying a remedy, how do you know if the treatment or time made a difference? Scar remedies are a gray area because it’s hard to test them with well-designed studies. Since everyone heals differently, a good study would compare treatments on two similar scars in the same person, or on two halves of the same scar.”
He concludes, “The only thing really shown to help the healing process and minimize scarring is keeping a wound moist and covered. Most scar products do that, but so does petroleum jelly. In fact, in two randomized comparison trials of Mederma® and petroleum jelly, Mederma® did not improve the appearance of scars any more than petroleum jelly, and Vitamin E doesn’t do any better.”
The Silicone Peaks and Valleys of Scar Treatment
A very popular method for treating scars involves the use of gels and strips (or sheeting) using silicone. We will touch on a couple of the better known products so you will have some idea of what they involve – and what they say they can do for you.
Newgel™+ Scar Management Solution
NewGel™+ manufactures soft, flexible silicone water product sheets, strips, and dots designed to aid in the prevention, reduction, and management of scars. According to their website, their scar management solution not only fades scars, but also flattens and softens them as well. In addition to the topical gel, they also offer a variety of sizes and shapes of silicone scar sheets.
NewGel+ silicone gel sheeting is non-invasive, self-adhesive, reusable, and formulated from medical grade silicone, available in soft, stretchable beige or clear. Their beige backing is slightly thicker and more durable than the clear backing, while their clear backing is thinner and often more comfortable for the user (both provide the same amount of silicone).
ScarAway® Silicone Scar Healing Sheets
ScarAway® is another type of ultra-thin silicone scar sheeting. They say that their proven Advanced Silicone Technology has been shown in countless clinical studies to reduce the appearance of scars new and old, by simulating the natural barrier function of healthy skin, hydrating scar tissue to soften the scar, thereby shrinking, flattening and fading it.
how to get rid of scars on breasts
However, having scars can make some women feel self-conscious. When you look in the mirror, you may be focusing on your scars rather than how great you look or how much better your back feels. Fortunately, there are things you can do that will help you to reduce the appearance of scars after undergoing your procedure.
Treatment Methods for Scars After Breast Reduction Procedures
In addition to the scar treatment methods that we will touch on below, you will want to speak with your doctor. They will likely have some tips and techniques that they can provide to help with reducing the appearance of scars after breast reduction, as well as recovery methods for you to use after the procedure.
Surgical Tape
Once you are out of surgery, most doctors will apply and recommend that you use surgical tape for a couple of weeks. The surgical tape helps to keep the skin closed, and it will help to reduce the appearance of scars. This is not to say that all you will need is surgical tape, of course. However, it is the first thing that many doctors will recommend when you are healing. When it comes to post-procedure healing, always listen to the recommendations of your doctor.
Try Silicone Sheets to Help Reduce Scarring
After your breast reduction procedure, you may want to start using silicone sheets that you will place over the incision area. These sheets are breathable, easy to use, and can help with scars by ensuring they are kept hydrated and soft. The silicone sheets can offer some other benefits, as well. They are a good solution to help prevent bacterial infection, itching, and irritation.
Typically, you will want to use these for several months after surgery, beginning at about four weeks post-procedure. If you choose to use silicone sheets, be sure to buy quality products to get the best results.
Use Scar Gels
Scar gels are another good option to consider. They can be used with either new or old scars to help reduce their appearance. Use of the gel could help the scars to fade, and in some cases, they may even get smaller. Typically, you will use the scar gels after the incision has healed. Keep in mind that you will need to commit to using the gel daily until you achieve the results you want. This can take several months.
Use the Right Dressings
Another suggestion you might want to consider using is Embrace dressings for your incisions. These are to be used after the incisions have closed and can be worn after surgery. These dressings are designed to help pull the skin together, which will help to increase the healing process.
These dressings include silicone and can be worn for up to a year after the surgery. As mentioned earlier, the silicone can help to provide hydration and flexibility to the scars while reducing their appearance. A study from 2015 found that after a year of use, there was noticeable scar reduction. Embrace dressings are costly compared with some of the other options on the list, but they are readily available over the counter.
Steri-Strips
After surgery, your doctor might also suggest that you use steri-strips. These strips are permeable, which means the medicine can go into the incisions to help with healing. They also help to keep the skin closed at the incision site. Generally, you will need to wear these strips for between two weeks and a month after you have come out of surgery.
Scar Massage
Once the scars have formed, you can perform scar massage on the scar tissue. To do this, you will simply use your fingertips to massage the scar. First, massage in a vertical motion, and then massage horizontally. You can then massage the scars in circles. Massaging the scars could help to increase the collagen in the area and make the scars more flexible.
Keep in mind that you will want to wait until about two weeks after your procedure before you begin using the scar massage procedures. Each massage session should last for about 10 minutes. Split the time up evenly between circles, vertical, and horizontal massage. You can massage your scars up to three times each day. Not only could this help to reduce the appearance of scars, but it can also help with your comfort level.
Fractionated Lasers
If you have scars that have healed and that are thick or dark, there are still options available that can help you reduce their appearance. This procedure uses microscopic lasers that can treat large areas of the skin, including scars. The nature of the lasers allows them to treat more than just the surface of the skin, as well. They can target the upper and middle layers of the skin.
Often, you will need to have treatments every other month with four or more treatments to reduce the appearance of the scars to a point where you are happy. Keep in mind that the lasers can only be used once the incisions have fully healed.
Wear a Supportive Bra
Wearing a high-quality, supportive bra is always important, but it is essential when you are healing from breast reduction surgery. Most doctors will tell you that you should be wearing a supportive, quality bra 24hrs a day for six weeks. From there, you can switch to another bra, but you should not use any that have underwire, as this can cause pain and sores.
When you have a supportive bra after your surgery, it can help with the healing process and assist in reducing the amount of scarring.
Steroid Injections
In those cases where the breast reduction scars are older and thick, steroid injections could help. The steroid will be injected into the scar tissue, where it can reduce redness, burning, and itching sensations. The injections can also help soften the scar tissue and reduce the size of the scar. This could be a good choice for those who may have had breast reduction surgery a few years ago and who now want to reduce their scars. Talk with a specialist about this option.
Scar Revision Surgery
If you find that the other methods discussed here are not helping to reduce the appearance of scars as much as you would like, there is still another option to consider. Scar revision surgery could help to reduce the severity of your scars. Just keep in mind that as with dermabrasion, chemical peels, and other techniques on the list, you will need to wait until you are fully healed. Doctors will want to wait at least one year—and possibly two years—before performing scar revision surgery.
Sunscreen
UV rays can cause scars to darken. While you may not have your breasts exposed to the sunlight often—or ever—you will always want to be careful. This is especially true if there is even a chance that the scars could be exposed to the sun based on the shirt or bikini you might be wearing. Using a high-quality sunscreen can help to prevent your scars from darkening and becoming more noticeable.
Remember, It Takes Time
Scars will not entirely vanish overnight or with just one or two sessions of treatment. You need to be consistent and patient. Eventually, you will begin to see results. If you are still unhappy with the results, you will want to speak with a cosmetic surgery specialist in your area to figure out your next best steps.
Find a Specialist to Help Treat Breast Reduction Scars in Your Area
Professionals, such as Dr. Hopkins and the staff at J. Hopkins Plastic Surgery, understand the need for help and advice when dealing with these types of scars. As you have seen from the information provided above, treating your breast reduction scars after your procedure is possible, and it is easiest when you have the help of a specialist.
breast augmentation scar treatment
One of the biggest concerns we get when it comes to breast related plastic surgery clients is scarring. Many patients are concerned that the scars related to procedures like breast augmentation and breast lifts are going to be highly noticeable and unsightly.
This is a valid concern considering it is a surgical procedure that requires incisions to be made in the skin, so unfortunately scarring is a part of that process. That being said though, there are things that the surgeon can do to help minimize scarring and there are things you can do, post-op, to help reduce the visible scars.
How a Skilled Surgeon Helps to Reduce Scars
If you’re considering a breast lift or breast augmentation, one of the most important things you can do is to trust your doctor. Finding a reputable doctor that is active in the plastic surgery community, understands what they are doing, has good reviews and referrals, is always the first place to start.
A good surgeon will listen to, and understand, your needs when it comes to minimal scarring, and will explain exactly how they go about ensuring that the scars are as invisible as they can be after healing.
In most cases, the doctor will place the incisions in areas that are normally concealed by clothing and bathing suits so that you won’t have to worry about an unsightly scar while at the beach. By placing the scars around the areola or in the creases of the breast, your surgeon will be able to hide the incisions in areas that 99% of people will never see.
Avoiding Sunlight and Using Creams
In regard to post-op care to help minimize the scars, or the color of the scars, there are a number of things you can do.
While it shouldn’t be too hard to do after your surgical procedure, we always must tell patients to remain out of the sun to avoid causing your scars to become darker. If you can’t avoid being in the sun, or just love the sun in general, be sure to put on a high SPF sunscreen to help protect your scars from the UV rays.
There are also creams available to help lighten up scars and reduce their appearance but making sure you keep your healing incision clean and properly cared for is another great way to help minimize scarring.
Using anti-bacterial cream and cleaning the incision on a regular basis will help keep any foreign germs out of the area and will allow for better healing. The smoother the healing process, the less likely for scarring complications.
Once the healing process has finished, you can use things like softening creams or silicone treatments, which both help to keep the scarring area hydrated and flexible. This will help the scar tissue appear more normal, as scar tissue itself is relatively hard compared to normal skin.
Will The Scar Ever Go Away?
Unfortunately, that scar tissue is there to stay, but over time they will be less and less noticeable. If you’re really uncomfortable with the way the incisions have healed, there are medical options to available to help reduce the look of the scars.
Laser treatments and scar revision procedures are designed to help the scar tissue blend in with the skin around it, making it less visible. It won’t completely erase the scar, but it can help to make it less noticeable to the naked eye.
Scarring is a natural part of the human body and when an incision is made in the skin there’s no getting around it. Thankfully Dr. Adams is an extremely skilled surgeon, with years of experience, that can help minimize your scarring after breast augmentation surgery.
If you’re looking for more information about scarring or want to setup a consultation to talk to Dr. Adams about breast augmentation or a breast lift, please contact Dr. William Adams Plastic Surgery in Dallas, TX today!