Incisions have healed, and you’re enjoying your gorgeous new curves after your breast lift . It’s time for the next step in scar care. Thin, raised lines likely still appear red or pink along the incisions. As your scars heal, they will darken and flatten, which may take several months or even a year before fading. Untreated scars may get more noticeable over time, though. For instance, darker skin risks hyperpigmentation or even increased thickness, becoming hypertrophic scars or keloids. Dr. Landis can offer additional guidance and resources to help you minimize the appearance of scars, however. Be sure to call us if you have questions about your scars .
Begin With Prevention
Healing can itch and peel, but if you scratch, exfoliate, or scrub your wounds during the healing process, you can aggravate the scars.
Avoid all heavy lifting for the first six weeks after surgery.
If you smoke, it’s ideal that you quit smoking a month before your surgery, but it’s important to abstain while scars heal also.
Tanning will darken scar tissue, so wear sunscreen even under clothing if you are somewhere sunny with a high UV index.
Tension Is the Leading Cause of Scarring
Precise tension reduction is vital in avoiding scar tissue buildup, and you may still be using silicone sheet bandages to gently hold both sides of your incisions together. Check with Dr. Landis, who may approve using an OTC product, Embrace® Breast Lift Kit, that includes silicone-coated Stress-Shields™ to protect scars, especially during showers and exercise. You could be able to wear these for up to a year.
You can begin using the various solutions weeks after your sutures have come out, but you can begin as late as six months after the procedure. Delaying will reduce their effectiveness, however.
For the first few months, wear a support bra, but not an underwire bra. Ask Dr. Landis for recommendations.
Request a Consultation
If you`re in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area and have any questions about a procedure or wish to schedule a consultation on a procedure with Dr. Landis, please contact our office.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
Massage
Scar massage is another helpful remedy. Gently massage your scars horizontally and vertically in circular motions. This technique helps flatten the scars and decrease over-sensitivity and inflammation. Additionally, massage increases blood flow and stimulates the growth of collagen fibers that help heal and smooth your skin.
Two weeks after your surgery, begin massaging your scars for 10 minutes at a time. Repeat several times each day until the scars flatten and fade. Be sure to follow instructions and to remove the shields slowly and gently.
During your massage, you can