If you had cosmetic surgery like breast augmentation or a tummy tuck, you’ll probably think of ways to reduce your surgical scars and improve their texture as well as appearance. While there are minimally invasive non-surgical procedures that can help with prominent or keloid scars, they may be expensive and will require additional downtime. In order to improve the appearance of cosmetic surgery scars, some patients resort to tanning as a solution – but is it safe or recommended?
Dr Mark Gittos is an experienced and talented Plastic Surgeon in New Zealand who has helped hundreds of patients achieve their aesthetic goals.
Scars are a natural part of your body’s regeneration process. Most injuries result in scarring which can alter the appearance of the skin. But how do scars form? To understand this mechanism, you must first know the different phases of the wound healing process:
Normally, cosmetic surgery scars are hypopigmented once the maturation phase is complete. However, a study in darker-pigmented and lighter-pigmented patients who had cosmetic surgery scars found that excessive sun exposure can lead to hyperpigmentation of the scars.
Other studies also found that prolonged sunlight exposure during the wound healing phase among patients with surgical scars can significantly increase the risk of scar pigmentation. These results indicate that reducing sunlight exposure may prevent hyperpigmentation of the healing wound.
With these studies, it can be concluded that tanning through sun exposure or spray tans can adversely affect the appearance of surgical scars and should be avoided.
After any cosmetic procedure, it is absolutely critical to protect your healing wounds against the detrimental effects of the sun and tanning beds. The following are some self-help strategies that you can employ during your recovery period to prevent hyperpigmentation of your surgical scars:
Are you willing to undergo cosmetic surgery but are having second thoughts due to the possibility of surgical scars? If so, consult with a plastic surgeon to gain a better understanding of your desired procedure and its related outcomes.
For many women in New Zealand, having breast augmentation is a life-changing experience. There are many qualified plastic surgeons, but it is always best to find one who is experienced in breast augmentation procedures. Breast implants come in many different shapes and sizes, and there are various insertion techniques, so find a reputable practitioner who can give good advice on the right implants for you. Before considering breast implants, it is wise to find a surgeon who is also up to date with new non-invasive techniques for boosting the breasts, so you can investigate all the options before deciding on permanent surgical implants.
Dr Gittos has a current FRACS membership and significant breast surgery experience. You should consider these factors when searching for the best Plastic Surgeon in Auckland. Always look for an experienced surgeon that you feel comfortable with and get a second opinion.
Dr Mark Gittos is a leading Specialist Plastic Surgeon and operates a practice in Herne Bay, Auckland and in the UK. The practice focuses on both surgical and non-surgical procedures, each designed to help restore, improve or change a physical characteristic or problem. The first step in every case is to talk through your personal requirements and explore all the options, before deciding on the most effective solution.
Dr Mark Gittos offers high quality, natural-looking cosmetic surgery results and is highly experienced in Breast, Body and Face Surgery having performed over 4000 Surgeries in the last 26 years. With worldwide expertise Dr Gittos is an expert in breast, face and body surgery for men & women.
Naturally, before any treatment is begun, we will explain clearly the advantages and risk factors; so that you have the information you need to make an informed decision that is best for you. Visit the practice to find out more.
Please NOTE: Dr Gittos only performs surgery on non-smoker patients with a BMI less than 30. To check your BMI please visit the NZ Heart Foundation website. For help giving up smoking before surgery visit the Smoke Free website
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