Breast reduction is a surgical procedure that many women decide if they find the size of their breasts to cause some problem, be that a physical or aesthetical one (usually both). For many women, minimizing the back pain due to their breast size is the priority when it comes to this type of procedure. However, like any other surgery, breast reduction also has risks and downsides. In that respect, most women want to know how to deal with breast reduction scars. More than one breast reduction scar treatment can effectively fade the appearance of scars. That said, keep on reading to learn more about treating scars after surgery successfully. You can always talk this through with the Breast Care Center Team as we plan your breast reduction journey together.
10 Breast Reduction Scar Treatment Options
When you put your trust in the best breast surgeon in Miami, you can be 100% certain that treating scars after surgery and healing breast reduction scars will allow for the fastest recovery and aesthetically pleasing result. The following solutions should considerably minimize the appearance of breast reduction scars. However, it’s still crucial to discuss this with your doctor.
- Surgical Tape
Surgical tape is typically the first thing that the doctor will suggest for treating scars after surgery. While it’s not enough for the best result on its own, it’s a crucial part of breast reduction scar treatment care. For starters, the surgical tape will ensure the skin is closed properly, which also helps minimize the potential scarring.
- Silicone Sheets
About four weeks after the surgery, it’s highly recommended to use silicone sheets. These sheets should be positioned over the incisions and keep the area hydrated and bacteria-free. In that sense, silicone sheets are also a good solution for preventing potential irritation and promoting better healing of breast reduction scars. It’s essential to choose top-quality silicone sheets in order to enjoy the best results.
- Scar Gels
Scar gels can be effective for both the old and new scars. If applied regularly for at least a couple of months, it is possible to have the scars fade and reduce their size. Keep in mind, though, that scars gels should only be used once the incisions are completely and properly healed up.
- The Right Dressings
The right kind of dressing can make a huge difference in terms of breast reduction scar treatment. Essentially, it’s best to wear them for at least a year in order to notice significant improvement. Once the incisions have healed completely, the dressing can keep the skin tight, which speeds up the healing process. Some dressings on the market also contain silicone, which, as mentioned, can help with the hydration of the treated area.
- Steri-Strips
Steri-strips can be a good solution for healing breast reduction scars immediately after the surgery. In general, it’s best to use them two weeks to a month after the procedure. These steri-strips effectively reduce potential scarring by keeping the skin closed at the incision’s place and allowing the medicine to get into the incisions. That way, the healing and recovery process can be considerably faster and more efficient.
- Scar Massage
In case you get scarring after the breast reduction surgery, you can try to minimize its appearance by performing the so-called scar massage. All you need to do is use your fingers in a vertical motion and then horizontal over the scar tissue. These simple actions can make the scar tissue more flexible and boost collagen production in the affected area. In general, you can benefit the most from about three massage sessions a day, with each lasting for about ten minutes. Just remember not to start massaging the treated area until about two weeks after the surgery.
- Fractionated Lasers
In case you have already healed from your surgery, but the scarring remained rather dark and thick, there’s no need to despair as there are still treatment options available. When it comes to severe cases like these, laser treatment can make a huge difference. Basically, microscopic lasers can target very large skin areas and go deep into the middle skin layers for the best results. Typically, one may need at least four laser treatments in order to notice a proper change in appearance. This particular treatment should only be considered once the incisions from the surgery are completely healed.
- Steroid Injections
Aside from laser treatment, it’s also possible to treat older and thicker breast reduction scars with steroid injections. Essentially, the steroid is directly injected into the scar tissue in order to minimize the scar size as well as accompanying itching and burning sensations. It’s necessary to discuss this option with your doctor, but generally, it tends to be a good solution for patients who wish to reduce the appearance of breast reduction scars a few years after having undergone the said surgery.
- Scar Revision Surgery
In the end, if all other options fail, scar revision surgery could always effectively reduce the scar tissue, regardless of how old it may be. Obviously, in order to undergo another surgery, it’s crucial to be completely healed and recovered from the breast reduction one. In general, it’s not uncommon for doctors to suggest waiting anywhere between one and two years in between these surgeries.
- Supportive Bra and Sunscreen
It takes patience and consistency to see the results you want when it comes to fading and reducing scarring from breast reduction surgery. As your doctor will probably tell you, when you discuss the best scar-reducing options, you have to put some effort into this process in order to get satisfactory results. It’s not enough to apply the sheets/gels/dressings on and off for a while or get just one treatment session with steroids or laser and then expect to see a huge improvement.
This doesn’t only include the practices we mentioned previously but also other healthy habits after undergoing breast reduction surgery, such as wearing a high-quality supportive bra as well as applying sunscreen when exposing yourself to direct sunlight. A supportive bra is a must-have for at least six weeks after the surgery and should be worn 24/7.
We at Breast Care Center Miami understand just how important the size and shape of your breasts can be when it comes to living your life to the fullest. In that sense, the overall appearance of your breasts is equally important, which obviously includes potential surgical scars. This is why we urge you to reach out to us even if you’re still just contemplating the possibility of breast reduction or scar removal. You can trust our expert doctors to listen to your concerns and offer the best possible solution that matches the latest medical techniques and your preferences.
