13 Jul Should You Get Breast Implants If You Are Prone To Keloids? Caring For Your Surgical Scars
How Well Does Your Skin Heal?
When the skin is cut or broken, intentionally or otherwise, a healing process begins. New tissue and skin form over time, creating a scar. Some people heal with minimal scarring that eventually fades. Others develop keloids, an overgrowth of scar tissue. Keloids are an aggressive response to a wound and, while mainly harmless, can be cosmetically unpleasant. Women interested in breast implants and prone to keloids may wonder if the procedure is recommended. After all, while enhancing the breasts can bring confidence, a large, unsightly keloid scar can do the opposite. Patients can take steps to reduce the risk of keloids with proper surgical scar care.
Signs and risk factors
A keloid scar is often identified by thick, raised skin that forms after a wound has healed. Keloids can form from tattoos, burns, surgery, cuts from falls, and even acne. The skin overreacts to the damage, often causing a scar more significant than the original incision. Some keloids are itchy, tender, and even painful. Keloids become darker and flatter over time, with fine lines forming on the scar. Scientists are unable to determine the actual cause of keloids, and any individual can develop this type of scar. However, people with darker skin tones are more prone to the issue. Family history, age, and the type of incision also play a factor.
Implants and keloids
Breast augmentation is an excellent way to improve the volume and size of the breasts. The procedure involves inserting silicone or saline implants through an incision in a specific breast location. The surgeon places the implant in front or behind the chest muscle. The risk of developing keloids is relatively low, but some patients can still develop raised scars. Patients prone to scarring should raise the issue with the surgeon beforehand. Surgeons can now perform techniques to minimize the risk of keloids. For instance, the location of the incision plays a role in the development of scars. Inframammary incisions located under the breast may have more prominent scarring. Incisions along the areola or near the armpit, known as transaxillary breast augmentation, will be less visible and less prone to keloids.
Surgical scar care
Patients also play a significant role in the prevention of keloids. Proper surgical scar care is essential for a favorable outcome. The surgeon will provide a list of do’s and don’ts to minimize scarring. These include keeping the incision areas clean and dry and reducing sun exposure. After the stitches are removed, massaging the surgical site can help improve circulation while breaking up collagen fibers that may be forming incorrectly. The doctor may recommend silicone sheeting or pressure bandages to keep the skin flat. After the scar heals, a cortisone cream can significantly reduce the appearance of scars. Patients are also encouraged to adopt a healthy diet high in vitamins C and E and the mineral zinc, which can all help with wound healing.
Minimize scarring successfully
All surgeries result in some degree of scarring, but the doctor should take every precaution to minimize any residual signs of surgery. Besides choosing the right location, minimizing the incision size and activity around the incision all help. Taking proper care of the wound after the operation is also essential. With surgical scars, consistency is key. Follow the surgeon’s instructions and make surgical care a habit for the best results.