Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Articles

No two scars are alike, yet they all share something in common: Every scar feels like it’s overstayed its welcome.

How do you get rid of them, then? To answer that, I need to explain first what a scar is, exactly.

Scars are evaluated by their size, location, and texture. Scar tissue is made of collagen, a tough, fibrous protein. When the tissue forms, it can appear red and raised and feel hard, but with time, it usually fades, flattens, and softens.

Almost every kind of cut results in a scar, but we don’t all form scars the same way. A keloid, for example, occurs when the skin creates an excessive amount of collagen while it heals and the scar tissue grows beyond the boundaries of the original wound, creating a puffy, round protrusion.

It’s thought that genetics may play some role in keloids, but it’s still not understood why some form them and others don’t.

Stretch marks are their own kind of scar. We know what they form: as a result of the skin expanding quickly during pregnancy, weight gain, and growth spurts. They also sometimes crop up when a wound’s near an elbow or a knee.

Now that we have an idea of what a scar is, let’s get into how we can treat them.

Beneath the surface

At first glance, it looks like there’s no shortage of remedies for stretch marks. But here’s the thing: A recent meta-analysis (a study of a bunch of studies) found that over-the-counter topical skincare products are ineffective at preventing and reducing stretch marks.

But, really, that’s only confirming what we’ve long suspected. Stretch marks occur deep in the dermal layer of the skin, so moisturizers and oils were never going to have an impact.

The good news: retinol sprays and creams, which contain 0.1 percent tretinoin, better known by its brand name, Retin-A, do penetrate the upper layer of the skin and rebuilds collagen. They’re available only by prescription, and not everyone seems to benefit to the same degree, but those who’ve responded the best have had new stretch marks. So, if you’re considering it, seek treatment sooner rather than later.

Sculptra Aesthetic, a dermal filler, works in a similar way, gradually rebuilding collagen at the dermal layer of the skin. It’s made from a biocompatible, biodegradable, synthetic material called poly-L-lactic-acid, which is gradually and naturally absorbed by the body during a series of treatments.

A one-two punch

One of the most effective treatments for keloids is Botox used in combination with laser therapy.

The Botox temporarily halts the excess collagen production. But in doing so, it can cause the skin or surrounding fat to atrophy, which leads to indentations around the site of the injection. So, a laser’s used to create channels in the skin, which will allow the Botox to penetrate the skin evenly.

The laser also reorganizes the collagen fibers, which helps to smooth and flatten the keloid.

As many as half the men in the United States experience some degree of gynecomastia, or enlarged male breasts, during their lifetime, according to one estimate.

The issue can stem from a few different causes, including, most commonly, genetics and the use of certain medications. It can also arise at any age. But it’s easily remedied with a cosmetic procedure known as a male breast reduction.

The surgery removes excess fat and glandular tissue to restore a firmer and more masculine contour to the chest.

Exercising and losing weight can help reduce the appearance of enlarged breasts for some men, but, often, they can’t completely resolve the problem. Excess glandular tissue can cause even very lean men to have enlarged breasts.

Male breast reduction is the only consistently effective treatment for gynecomastia. In the hands of the right plastic surgeon, the procedure offers near-immediate and long-lasting, if not permanent, improvements with minimal scarring.

What’s the surgery like?

Once you decide to have the procedure, take your time vetting potential surgeons. While most may include male breast reduction on their websites, some perform it far more often than the rest. They’re the ones you want to hone in on.  It’s also crucial to find a board-certified plastic surgeon.

As for the procedure itself, either general anesthesia or intravenous sedation will be used. From there, the surgery will vary depending on the need. In instances where the gynecomastia’s largely the result of excess fatty tissue, liposuction techniques alone may be used. Here, a cannula is moved back and forth in a controlled motion to loosen the excess fat, which is then suctioned out by a vacuum.

When glandular breast tissue or excess skin needs to be removed, excision techniques are generally recommended. They allow the surgeon to remove a greater amount of tissue and/or skin than liposuction would. Sometimes, a combination of liposuction and excision is used.

Excision is also used when the areola is reduced or the nipple is repositioned to a more natural male contour. Where the incisions are made will depend on the extent of the surgery, but they’re typically located around the edge of the areola or within the natural creases of the chest.

How long is the recovery?

The length of your recovery will depend on the nature of your procedure. Not to mention, everyone’s healing process is unique. That said, most return to work within just a few days. You’ll feel sore at first, but the pain is relatively minimal.

Some experience a loss of sensation in the treated areas, but it’s almost always temporary.

Above all, you’ll notice an immediate and dramatic improvement in the shape and appearance of your chest. And those results will be permanent—once the excess fat, glandular tissue, and skin are removed, they’re gone for good and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will only enhance it!