An interview with Dr Chinsee: Scarring after breast surgery
Post-surgery scarring is a common concern that shouldn't be overlooked, regardless of whether you have undergone breast surgery or are considering breast surgery. Learning about how you can address potential scarring is something worth considering.
While experienced Doctors aim to reduce the appearance of scarring through strategic placement and various surgical techniques, it is essential to acknowledge that all surgery involving cutting through layers of skin will result in a scar and that the severity of scarring is largely influenced by factors beyond both your and their control, such as genetics, age, and lifestyle.
Fortunately, there are both at-home and in-clinic treatments available which aim to help you achieve the best possible outcome for your scar. We had the opportunity to sit down with Dr Ian Chinsee, cosmetic doctor and co-owner of Inigo Cosmetic to discuss surgical scarring and explore treatments and products aimed at addressing the appearance of post-surgery scarring.
Dr Ian Chinsee interview Q & A
What are your top tips to minimise scarring after breast surgery?
"Poor scarring generally results from increased tension on the skin. Everything that is done surgically is done with a view to reducing the amount of tension that is placed on the scar. For instance, wounds are closed in multiple layers to reduce the direct stress on the skin. They are also reinforced with inelastic dressings or tapes to further reduce the pressure on the wound. But wound healing also depends on other factors, like overall nutrition, tissue quality, and blood supply. That’s why it is so important to stop smoking as it can severely impair your microcirculation. Some things you can do to actively assist in the healing process are:
Prepare your skin for surgery with Healite LED light therapy in clinic. We recommend using Healite LED light therapy two weeks in the lead up to your breast surgery, as well as immediately post surgery 2-3 times per week for four to eight weeks following your breast surgery procedure, as LED light therapy aims to assist with stimulating cell turnover, collagen production, wound healing and reducing inflammation, bruising and pain.
Follow all post operative instructions as well as your dressing change letter.
Keep well hydrated and ensure optimum nutrition. I may recommend incorporating ingestible collagen in the weeks leading up to your breast surgery as well as the weeks following your breast surgery.
Use appropriate serums/ointments on scars once you have approval from your treating doctor. We recommended iS Clinical Super Serum to help address breast surgery scars as well as Strataderm & Silicone tape.
Depending on your scars and your aesthetic goals for your breast scars, you might consider Microneedling RF (Morpheus8 or Exion), Dermapen or Lumecca IPL
Is there anything a patient can do in the lead up to their breast surgery that can help to minimise scarring?
"Ensure you are having a balanced, healthy diet, high in nutrients for optimising healing, you can incorporate ingestible collagen, keep well hydrated, come into the clinic and have a Healite within 3 days prior to surgery and stop smoking 6-12 weeks prior"
Why do some people scar worse than others?
"Everyone is different when it comes to wound healing. Generally darker skin tones are more prone to hypertrophic or keloid scarring. Diet and overall health contribute as well. Regardless, most surgical scars will heal well due to the way the skin is closed, the types of dressings used and the amount of post care you do."
What are your favourite in clinic scar therapy treatments?
"Healite is used pre and post-surgery and works by addressing inflammation, wound healing, swelling, bruising and pain and stimulating an even deposition of collagen."
"Morpheus8 and Exion are skin devices that utilise microneedling with radio-frequency technology. They are designed to create a controlled wound healing process with the aim of stimulating collagen production to support scar tissue repair. RF microneedling may be suitable for surgical scarring on the breast and body, especially for those who have under gone a breast procedure involving a lift."
"Dermapen is a skin device that utilises microneedling technology to create a controlled wound healing process to stimulate collagen production with the aim of addressing the appearance of breast surgery scarring. Dermapen microneedling is one of our treatment options for straight forward breast augmentation."
"Lumecca IPL utilises intense pulsed light to target pigment and vascular lesions. Lumecca IPL aims to address the appearance of scarring by stimulating collagen production and addressing capillary and pigment activity. Lumecca IPL is generally recommended for vascular (red) scarring."
Can all scar therapy treatments be used on all skin types?
"Healite, Exion and Morpheus8 can be used on all skin types. With Morpheus8 or Exion you may need to be prepped on a topical Vitamin A , B and/or C prior. Lumecca IPL can only be used on light Fitzpatricks and may need to be prepped with a tyrosinase inhibitor. "
What at home scar therapy products do you recommend?
"The iS Clinical Super Serum is one of our favourites for scarring on the face or body. The Super Serum Advance+ is a scientifically advanced, clinically proven formula that combines a 15% concentration of next generation L-Ascorbic Acid with a bioidentical Copper Tripeptide growth factor to help address the look of hypertrophic (raised) scar tissue and even out the hyperpigmentation in your scars."
"We also recommend the use of Medisil silicone tape or Strataderm scar therapy gel. Our Scar essentials kit is inclusive of everything you need to support the healing and appearance of your scarring at home. The pack includes Super Serum, silicone gel or tape. These items can be purchased in a pack or separately."
Purchase your scar products here
Read our complete surgical scarring guide.
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– Dr Ian Chinsee (MED0000975196)
Registered Medical Practitioner, General Registration
Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
Surgical Fellow of the Australasian College of Cosmetic Surgery & Medicine [FACCSM (surg)]
All surgical or invasive procedures carry risks and potential complications. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. The images and videos shown on our website and social media pages are published with the consent of our patients. Results, risks and recovery will vary between individual patients and are dependent on factors including, but not limited to genetics, diet and exercise. As such these images do not guarantee that your results or surgical outcome will be the same. For more information on risks, recovery & revisions costs please click the link below (Recovery, Risks, Revisions) The content on our page is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Please contact us for more information