Whether you have breast surgery for cosmetic or health reasons, you may be left with unsightly scars – and you may be wondering what you can do about them. Here is some information on the types of scars you might see after breast surgery and how you can care for and minimize them.
What kind of surgery scar can you expect?
Where your scars are located, of course, depends on where the incisions were made for your surgery, and what you are having the surgery for. An inframammary type of incision is made beneath the breast, along with the natural curve, which can help to hide any scarring (and can make scarring easy to hide with a bra or bikini top). A periareolar incision is made in a semi-circular shape around the lower half of the areola, which can also help to camouflage scars. Or, the transaxillary incision (underneath the arm) may be used so there is no incision in the breast at all.
What can you do about scars?
As you can see, your doctor has a few techniques to choose from to try to minimize any unsightly scars. However, some scarring is inevitable – you should know that scars can take up to 18 months to heal, and often they will start to look worse before they look better as the skin goes through the healing process.
You can try these tips to help your body heal and to diminish the appearance of scars:
• Stay out of the sun, and when you do go outside wear sunscreen with a high SPF and reapply it often.
• Avoid smoking for weeks before and after your procedure.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Drink a lot of water during your recovery.
• Avoid vigorous exercise until your doctor says it is all right.
• Avoid bras that are too tight and that irritate your skin.
• Ask your doctor for advice on a topical product that can help with scars. Vitamin E oil is one product often recommended.
• Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions after the surgery, for a safe recovery but also to minimize scars.
Are you tired of unsightly scars from breast surgery? Skin Care Research may be able to help. Contact them today, at (561) 948-3116.
