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How Can I Correct Scarring After My Breast Surgery With Revision Techniques?
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All breast surgeries come with some form of scarring because incisions are made. However, the best breast surgeons use techniques to help ensure that scarring is as minimal and hidden as possible given the particular circumstances. Using an inexperienced or underqualified surgeon initially can leave you with scars that are far more extensive and conspicuous than should otherwise be the case.
If you had a breast procedure such as breast augmentation, breast lift surgery, or breast reduction that left you with excessive scarring of the breasts, you may be able to get this fixed with a scar revision and other techniques. Dr. Turkeltaub specializes in helping women improve the appearance of their breast scars, when possible, with a scar revision procedure.
What Kind of Scarring Can Occur Post-Surgery?
How Can a Surgeon Reduce the Appearance of Scars?
What Other Options Are There for Reducing Breast Surgery Scars?
What Kind of Scarring Can Occur Post-Surgery?
Scars change colors as they go through the natural healing process. Initially, due to increased blood flow and the maturation process, there may be increased redness and swelling, even with some purple coloration. These subside with time. Ultimately and ideally, scars will be flat, narrow, white, or light brown and not very perceptible.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen due to a multitude of factors, some of which are predetermined, unpredictable, and difficult to prevent or modify—such as those related to genetics. Scars can be wide, elevated, hard, hyperpigmented, atrophic, enlarging with time (as with keloids), and deforming. They also may be associated with symptoms such as itching, burning, and pain.
Note that if you allow a healing scar to be exposed to direct sunlight, it can significantly darken the scar (a.k.a. hyperpigmentation). This is because that skin is new, fresh, and highly susceptible to UV exposure.
Most women do not think about their breast incisions being exposed to sunlight since they are often covered with a bra, bathing suit, or shirt; however, UV rays can penetrate through many types of materials. It is always best to protect your incisions with SPF.
How Can a Surgeon Reduce the Appearance of Scars?
A scar revision can potentially improve the appearance of scars in many situations—but not always. Even in the best circumstance, the scar doesn’t “disappear,” nor can it be reduced in length. The procedure typically involves excision of the area followed by skillful, meticulous repair, and an aggressive postoperative scar regimen. This may entail wound splinting for a period, using scar mitigating agents, bleaching agents, and avoiding certain wound stressing activities for a while.
If you want to improve your less-than-ideal breast scars, it’s vital that you choose the right plastic surgeon for your revision surgery. Dr. Turkeltaub is a board-certified plastic surgeon with decades of experience treating difficult, non-ideal, and poor scars.
Unfortunately, even in the best of hands, poor scarring can and does occur, and there is no way to guarantee exactly how your skin and tissues will react and heal.
What Other Options Are There for Reducing Breast Surgery Scars?
There are topical agents, such as silicone scar gels, to maximize the aesthetic quality of the scars. These creams are generally effective when started within the first several weeks after surgery.
In addition, there are some minimally invasive procedures, such as steroid injections, dermabrasion, laser therapy, light therapy, and chemical peel solutions, which may help.
These, however, are all ancillary procedures that can be employed after scar revision surgery, when indicated, in order to facilitate you realizing the best possible outcome.
Interested in Learning More?
At the Arizona Center for Breast Surgery, we specialize in breast procedures—and that includes offering scar revision to improve dark, wide, or generally poor scars. If you have “bad” or “poor” scars of your breasts following surgery and are interested in finding out whether or not they can be substantially improved, please feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. Turkeltaub by calling (480) 451-3000 or by filling out this form.