How to minimize mastectomy scarring?

Hi sisters,

I had bilateral mastectomy in 2012. What bothers me most are the giant scars running across my chest. Is there any way to minimize the scarring? Can cosmetic surgery help? My hysterectomy scars from 2014 are nearly invisible but my mastectomy scars are large and pink. I did have some keyloid scarring with the mastectomy.

Thanks,
Erin

I use a product called Mederma, I get it from Amazon. It works better on newer scars.

You know what- I use a lot of essential oils and I have heard they are amazing for scars. I know of people. Is that something you would consider? Frankincense is a really good oil for healing of scars. I had a bilateral, but I am fortunate in that they reduced the scarring each time they did reconstruction. Have you finished with your recon?

I also had many revisions, so yeah I think once they are keloid ish, red and raised, that there's not much to be done topically. Though I was trying before this last surgery to massage the scar, with fingers pulling in opposite directions, to slowly, daily, break up scar tissue. Not sure if mederma, bio oil, vitamin e applied topically, or other things work on old scars.

The easiest way would be to get them surgically revised if they really bother you and your efforts aren't helping. Then after they have healed closed, there are these expensive but great special band aids called "silicone gel sheets" that minimize keloid scarring.

Hope this helps, or gives you and ps something to talk about!