(757) 496-5556 Scarring is an inevitable side effect of undergoing cosmetic surgery. However, an individual’s unique genetics and lifestyle habits could contribute to more visible scarring after an operation, such as smoking nicotine which disrupts normal incision healing. Though scarring does not fade entirely in any case after surgery, patients could take several steps for breast augmentation scar management in Virginia Beach.
Though breast augmentation scarring could be minimized with specific surgical techniques and incision placements, all patients develop some degree of visible scarring. Therefore, after surgery, patients could consider various at-home management techniques and professional treatments for breast scar reductions, ranging from topical ointments to additional surgery in more severe cases. Our team at Galardi | Bowen Plastic Surgery could discuss the best scar management approaches for your particular concerns.
At-Home Steps for Managing Breast Augmentation Scars
The first step for scar management every breast augmentation patient in Virginia Beach should take is waiting for the incisions to heal and fade on their own with time. Throughout this period, patients must follow the post-operative care instructions provided by their surgeon to ensure incisions heal properly and minimize the visibility of scars. Typically, breast augmentation scars substantially fade after one year of recovery from surgery but are still somewhat visible permanently for most patients.
In addition to following care instructions, patients could manage scarring with at-home steps in the year following breast augmentation surgery, such as limiting the scars to sun exposure. Further, keeping the skin moisturized is essential for healing, so use topical products such as Mederma scar gel, vitamin E oil, and silicone topical ointments or strips. Finally, massaging the scars throughout recovery reorganizes the tightened collagen fibers that contribute to scarring, resulting in flatter, smoother scars, and less scar tissue formation.
Additional Treatments to Manage Scarring After Breast Augmentation
Some breast augmentation patients in Virginia Beach turn to various cosmetic treatments when at-home products and time do not result in a sufficient degree of scar management. For example, steroid injections containing cortisone could break down excess collagen within raised scars to reduce their appearance. Alternatively, collagen injections could restore volume beneath the skin of sunken scars, creating a smoother breast skin appearance.
Additionally, patients could undergo routine cosmetic skin treatments for scar reduction, such as microdermabrasion, laser treatments, and microneedling with or without PRP. However, it is best for patients to wait until one year after their breast augmentation surgery to undergo these procedures as the incisions may still be healing beforehand. In severe cases, scar revision surgery may be necessary to remove or reposition scars that cause physical limitations or significant discomfort.
Consider Medical and At-Home Breast Augmentation Scar Management Options in Virginia Beach
Every individual that undergoes a surgical procedure develops scarring afterward as the body tries to heal the skin, resulting in excess collagen buildup that leads to scars. However, visible scarring, such as on the breasts after augmentation surgery, could negatively impact an individual’s body image and self-confidence. In that case, patients who are unhappy with the visibility of their scars should consider breast augmentation scar management in Virginia Beach.
Though augmentation scars fade with time after the procedure, patients could make further improvements with at-home actions and products that reduce visible scarring. Further, if additional treatment is necessary for a patient’s suitable degree of scar reduction, they could turn to non-invasive cosmetic treatments or surgery to correct severe scarring. Get in touch with Galardi | Bowen Plastic Surgery for a consultation on breast augmentation scar management.