Laser skin resurfacing and breast procedures are among the most sought-after cosmetic treatments worldwide. These procedures can significantly boost self-esteem and help achieve your desired appearance. However, many people don’t consider the potential benefits of combining laser skin resurfacing with their breast surgery. When planned and executed correctly, this combination can improve breast surgery results, reduce scar visibility and enhance overall satisfaction with the final outcome.
But how do you determine the ideal time to get laser resurfacing in relation to your breast surgery? In this guide to combining laser resurfacing and breast surgery, we delve into the benefits of pairing these procedures, the ideal timing for laser treatment with each type of breast surgery, and how to determine the ideal approach for your specific needs. With expert guidance from Dr. Andrews and the team at Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery, you can make informed decisions about your breast and laser treatment plan for optimal results.
What Is Laser Skin Resurfacing?
Laser skin resurfacing is a noninvasive cosmetic treatment that uses advanced technology to improve the texture and appearance of your skin. By targeting the damaged outer layers of skin, laser resurfacing stimulates collagen production and promotes skin cell regeneration for smoother, firmer, more youthful skin.
What Does Laser Skin Resurfacing Treat?
Laser skin resurfacing can address various skin imperfections caused by aging and sun damage, including the following:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- Pigmentation issues (dark spots, redness, etc.)
- Scars (acne scars, surgical scars, injury scars, etc.)
- Enlarged pores
- Skin laxity and loss of firmness
- Broken capillaries (small visible veins)
- Stretch marks
By addressing these issues, laser skin resurfacing can restore a more vibrant complexion and improve the overall texture and tone of your skin.
The Benefits of Combining Laser Skin Resurfacing With Breast Surgery
Laser skin resurfacing offers numerous benefits when combined with breast surgery. Some of these advantages include:
- More youthful breast and chest (décolletage) skin: Laser treatments can improve the quality and texture of your skin, providing a smoother, more youthful look to your breast and décolletage skin that complements the results of your breast surgery.
- Reduced scar visibility: By targeting the outer layers of skin and promoting collagen production, laser skin resurfacing can help minimize the appearance of your breast surgery scars.
- Faster healing and recovery: Undergoing laser treatments before breast surgery can improve skin quality and elasticity, potentially leading to a quicker healing process. Additionally, having laser treatments after surgery can allow you to heal from both procedures simultaneously.
- Enhanced overall results: Combining breast surgery with laser skin resurfacing can lead to more aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking outcomes, boosting your satisfaction with the final result.
Breast Surgery Type and Incision Locations: Key Factors in Scheduling Laser Treatments
The type of breast surgery you’re undergoing and the location of your incisions play crucial roles in determining the best time for laser skin resurfacing. Depending on the procedure, you may benefit from laser treatments before or after breast surgery. In many cases, undergoing laser treatments both before and after surgery can offer you the best results.
When to Get Laser Resurfacing With Breast Augmentation
Breast augmentation involves inserting implants to enhance the size and shape of your breasts. The incision locations for this procedure are usually concealed by the curves and anatomy of the breasts or underarms, making the scars hardly noticeable.
Plastic surgeons typically make breast augmentation incisions in one of the following areas:
- In the crease beneath the breast (inframammary incision)
- Around the areola (periareolar incision)
- In the armpit (transaxillary incision)
Laser Treatment Before or After Your Breast Augmentation
For breast augmentation patients, laser skin resurfacing can be performed either before or after surgery, as laser treatment is equally beneficial pre- and post-surgery. If you decide to undergo laser skin resurfacing before your breast augmentation, it should be done at least six weeks before to ensure optimal healing. If you choose to have the treatment after surgery, it can be done immediately afterward, allowing you to heal from both procedures simultaneously.
When to Get Laser Resurfacing With a Breast Lift and/or Breast Reduction
Breast lift surgery raises and reshapes drooping breasts, while breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue to achieve a more proportionate breast size. Both procedures typically involve more extensive and visible incisions on the breasts than breast augmentation.
Common breast lift/reduction incision patterns include the following:
- Around the areola, down the lower breast tissue and along the breast crease (anchor incision)
- Around the areola and down the lower breast tissue (lollipop incision)
Laser Treatment After Your Breast Lift/Reduction
For patients undergoing a breast lift or breast reduction, it is often recommended to wait and have laser skin resurfacing after surgery to effectively treat the scars since they are on more conspicuous areas of the breasts. This approach can significantly reduce the visibility of scars after breast surgery, helping you achieve a smoother, more natural-looking result.
When to Get Laser Resurfacing With Male Breast Reduction (Gynecomastia Surgery)
Gynecomastia surgery is a male breast reduction procedure that removes excess glandular breast tissue, skin and fat to create a flatter, more masculine chest contour. This surgery typically involves incisions around the areola and, in some cases, along the lower edge of the pectoral muscles. As with breast lift and breast reduction surgeries, these incisions can be more visible than those made during breast augmentation and are typically more noticeable on the resulting flatter chest contours.
Laser Treatment After Your Gynecomastia Surgery
For men undergoing gynecomastia surgery, it is generally advised to schedule laser skin resurfacing after the procedure to treat any resulting scars. This approach can help minimize scar visibility and promote a more aesthetic outcome.
When to Get Laser Skin Resurfacing With Breast Reconstruction
Breast reconstruction surgery aims to restore the appearance of the breast(s) following a mastectomy or lumpectomy. It may involve a tissue expander placed in your chest to stretch the tissue in the area, which will be replaced with an implant to restore your breast shape and size. Alternatively, an autologous tissue flap from a donor area of your body may be used to recreate your breast mound or cover an implant. The donor area is typically the abdomen, but the hips, thighs or shoulder blade may be used instead. The incisions made during breast reconstruction can vary depending on the technique used, but they often involve the chest wall, breast area and donor site.
Laser Treatment Before and/or After Your Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Most breast reconstruction patients can benefit from getting laser resurfacing both before and after their surgery.
Undergoing laser resurfacing on your breast skin before reconstruction can improve your skin tone and texture, providing more resilient breast skin in preparation for the procedure. Healthy breast skin is important for reconstruction, especially if your procedure will involve stretching that skin with a tissue expander. If a tissue flap will be used for your reconstruction, you would likely benefit from laser treatment on the donor area to improve skin quality before it’s transferred to help recreate your breast mound.
In most cases, breast reconstruction surgery results in more extensive scarring compared to some other types of breast surgery, making laser resurfacing after surgery ideal for treating scars on the breasts and donor area, if applicable.
Discover the Power of Combining Laser Skin Resurfacing With Your Breast Surgery
No matter the type of breast surgery you’re considering, incorporating laser skin resurfacing into your treatment plan can significantly enhance your outcome. Ultimately, the ideal timing for laser resurfacing in relation to breast surgery will depend on the specific procedure, incision locations, timing and your individual goals. By consulting with a skilled board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Andrews, you can receive personalized guidance on the best approach to achieve your desired results.
To learn more and schedule your consultation, contact Dr. Andrews Plastic Surgery today!