How Can I Improve My Hypertrophic Scars From My Breast Augmentation?

Q: I am a 30 year old African-American female.  I have had three breast augmentations and the scar from the first augmentation was too high leaving me with visible scars. My last augmentation left me with even longer and more hypertrophic scars. I have tried laser in the past and I am considering deep resurfacing and then using the ACell micronized particles (Matristem powder) as this may help smooth the skin out. What do you think?  The alternative will be to open the scars and redo them but that would not help as I have done 3 boob jobs and still scarred. I would like to give the laser a go and use the particles as I believe that if it can heal a finger without scars it should at least prevent the skin fromover healing and it will heal to a more even tone. Please email me your thoughts.

A: Hypertrophic scars from breast augmentation, even in an African-American female, is not common. But when it does occur, as yours obviously has, it can be a real problem to improve. Searching for another solution than what you tried (scar excision and re-closure) is understandable.

Matristem collagen particles, derived from porcine bladder, is a new wound healing agent that is certainly touted as having regenerative properties. But do not confuse how a fingertip will heal with that of hypertrophic breast scars. Those are two completely different types of wounds and they do not translate in terms of results. Lasering your scars is probably the worst thing that you could do. It would result not only in loss of skin pigment but creates a secondary healing event that is more prone to scar hypertrophy than your prior scar excisions. I doubt that the ‘magic’ of Matristem particles will overcome your body’s robust healing response in that setting.

I would be more enthused about re-doing your scar revision using Matristem particles placed into and between the wound edges at closure. They are then better placed to exert their beneficial effects at the site of where the active wound healing process is occurring.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis Indiana