Women who undergo breast surgery, whether as part of a cosmetic treatment or as breast cancer therapy, often develop scars after the procedure. Surgery produces external scars corresponding to the sites of incision during the surgery, as well as internal scarring around the surgical site within the breast. Patients who undergo breast surgeries may help minimize internal or external scarring through a number of nonsurgical means.
Proper Wound Healing
One of the most important ways of minimizing scarring after surgery is proper wound care and healing, according to Houston, Texas, based Alford ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery. Keeping the wound clean and dry allows tissue around the site of incision to efficiently close the wound and heal, leaving a minimum of scar tissue. If, during wound healing, the surgical site becomes infected or inflamed, the wound remains open longer, leading to the formation of more scar tissue. Following the proper postsurgical procedures, such as changing bandaging as needed, will help facilitate wound healing and prevent the formation of excessive scar tissue.
Vitamin E
Patients can help minimize the appearance of scars by taking vitamin E before and after surgery. The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that using a topical cream containing vitamin E can help promote wound healing, and can therefore help minimize scarring after breast surgery. Many skin creams, from rich moisturizing lotions to aloe vera gels, contain added vitamin E to aid in minimizing scarring, or patients may apply an oil containing concentrated vitamin E. Patients should consult with a doctor before using vitamin E to minimize scarring after surgery.
Scar Pigmenting
A method of minimizing the appearance of scars after breast surgery is scar pigmenting--coloring the scar to match the patient's natural skin tone. A patient may receive a tattoo over the healed scar to help the scar blend into its surroundings and decrease the appearance of the scar, according to the UCLA Health System. Although an effective treatment in camouflaging scarring around the breasts, patients may notice a reappearance of the scars on tanned skin, since the scar will not tan along with the surrounding skin. Patients commonly receive scar pigmenting around the nipple following breast surgery, though patients may undergo scar tattooing for any scar around the breast.
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