Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica · Los Angeles
Top Surgery Scar Treatment
Los Angeles
804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery is a nationally recognized FTM scar revision expert. He treats chest scars after top surgery throughout Los Angeles using fractional CO2 laser, chemical peels, steroid injections, and surgical scar revision in a welcoming and affirming environment.
Schedule a Consultation Scar Revision Overview
Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACSBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon
FTM ExpertNationally Recognized
(310) 998-5533Same-Week Consultations
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS FTM Scar Revision Expert · Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533
Top Surgery Scar Treatment · Los Angeles
Expert Top Surgery Scar Treatment in Los Angeles
Top surgery creates the masculine chest that many trans and non-binary patients have waited a long time to have. The scars that come with it, whether from a double incision, keyhole, or periareolar approach, are a natural part of the healing process. For most patients, scars fade and flatten significantly over the first year. For some, they become wide, raised, red, or develop into hypertrophic scars or keloids that feel tight, itch, or remain very visible.
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica is a nationally recognized expert in FTM scar revision. He has treated top surgery scars for patients across Los Angeles and throughout the United States, offering the full range of laser, injectable, and surgical options in an affirming and judgment-free environment. Every treatment plan is individualized based on your scar type, skin tone, and goals. Visit our dedicated FTM scar revision expert page for more information. Call (310) 998-5533 to schedule a consultation.
Clinical Photography · Hypertrophic Scar · Kare Plastic Surgery Los Angeles
Hypertrophic Scar Treated at Kare Plastic Surgery
Type of raised hypertrophic scar evaluated and treated at Kare Plastic Surgery · Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian · Santa Monica, Los Angeles
Hypertrophic Scar · Kare Plastic Surgery · Los Angeles Raised, red hypertrophic scar of the type commonly seen after top surgery. This class of scar is treated at Kare Plastic Surgery with steroid injections, Vbeam pulsed dye laser, and fractional CO2 laser resurfacing. (310) 998-5533.
Types of Top Surgery Scars · Los Angeles
Types of Top Surgery Scars Treated at Kare
Hypertrophic Scars
Raised, red, firm scars that stay within the incision boundary. Very common on the chest after double incision top surgery, especially in patients with genetic predisposition to raised scarring or high skin tension. Respond well to steroid injections, Vbeam laser, and fractional CO2 laser.
Keloid Scars
Raised scars that extend beyond the original incision boundary and continue to grow over time. More common in patients of African, Asian, Hispanic, and Mediterranean descent. Require combination treatment including steroid injections, laser, and in some cases surgical excision. See our keloid treatment page.
Wide or Spread Scars
Scars that have widened due to skin tension during healing or inadequate wound closure. Very common along the horizontal chest incisions from double incision top surgery. Surgical excision with layered tension-free re-closure significantly narrows these scars.
Discolored Scars
Scars that are darker or redder than surrounding skin due to post-inflammatory pigmentation or ongoing vascular activity. Fractional laser, chemical peels, and Vbeam pulsed dye laser progressively improve color matching with surrounding chest skin.
Periareolar Scars
Circular scars around the nipple-areola complex following keyhole or periareolar top surgery. These can spread or become raised. Treatment options include surgical re-excision, laser resurfacing, and steroid injections depending on the nature of the scar.
Contracture Scars
Tight scars that restrict movement of the chest, arms, or shoulders. These may require surgical release using Z-plasty to lengthen the scar and restore full range of motion. Learn more on our scar revision page.
Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica, Los Angeles · Affirming Environment
Schedule Your Top Surgery Scar Consultation with Dr. Karamanoukian
Top Surgery Scar Treatment Options at Kare Plastic Surgery
Fractional CO2 Laser Resurfacing
The gold standard for raised, textured, and discolored top surgery chest scars. Creates controlled micro-channels that stimulate new collagen and progressively smooth, flatten, and blend the scar with surrounding skin. Most patients need three to six sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. Safe for all skin tones with the appropriate settings. Downtime is approximately five to seven days.
Vbeam Pulsed Dye Laser
The Vbeam 595 nm laser targets the blood vessels that give hypertrophic top surgery scars their red or pink color, reducing both the color and the inflammatory activity that keeps the scar raised. Frequently combined with steroid injections for a stronger combined effect on raised red chest scars. Minimal downtime, typically used in alternating sessions with fractional CO2 laser.
Chemical Peels
Medical grade peels improve surface texture, reduce pigmentation irregularities, and increase cell turnover in maturing top surgery scars. Selected based on skin tone to minimize the risk of pigmentation changes. Used as adjuvant treatment between laser sessions for additional surface improvement.
Steroid Injections
Intralesional triamcinolone injections directly into raised hypertrophic or keloid top surgery scars suppress the collagen overproduction keeping the scar elevated. A series of injections spaced four to six weeks apart progressively flattens and softens raised chest scars. Can be started at six to eight weeks after top surgery to guide the scar during its most active growth phase.
Surgical Scar Revision
Wide, persistent, or functionally limiting top surgery scars that do not respond adequately to non-surgical treatment can be surgically excised and re-closed with improved layered tension-free technique. Z-plasty is used to release contracture scars that restrict arm or shoulder movement. Surgical revision is typically deferred until at least twelve months after top surgery. Learn more on our scar revision page.
Silicone and Pressure Therapy
Medical grade silicone sheets worn daily over healing top surgery scars reduce itching, flatten raised tissue, and support healthy collagen remodeling. Compression vests add a mechanical suppressive signal. Both are used as daily home treatments between in-office sessions and are most effective when started early and used consistently for at least two to three months.
When to Start Scar Treatment After Top Surgery
6w
6 to 8 Weeks After Top Surgery
Once incisions are fully healed, silicone sheets, gentle scar massage, and steroid injections for raised scars can begin. Sun protection over the chest scars is essential from this point forward.
3m
3 Months After Top Surgery
Fractional laser resurfacing and Vbeam pulsed dye laser can begin. Treating scars while they are still maturing and actively remodeling produces better results than waiting until the scar has fully hardened.
12m
12 Months After Top Surgery
Surgical scar revision can be considered once the scar has fully matured. Patients who still have wide, raised, or functionally limiting scars at one year are good candidates for evaluation by Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery.
Kare Plastic Surgery welcomes all patients in a respectful and affirming environment: Dr. Karamanoukian treats FTM, non-binary, and all gender-diverse patients seeking chest scar treatment with the same expertise and care given to every patient. Same-week consultation appointments are available at 804 7th Street, Santa Monica. Patients come from across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Malibu, and the Westside. Call (310) 998-5533.
"Top surgery is a meaningful milestone. The scar that comes with it should not take anything away from that. My goal is to give every patient the most complete improvement in their chest scar that is realistically achievable, with a treatment plan that is honest about what is possible and individualized to how their skin actually heals."
— Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS · FTM Scar Revision Expert · Kare Plastic Surgery, Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start treating my top surgery scars?
Non-surgical treatments including steroid injections and silicone therapy can typically begin six to eight weeks after top surgery once incisions are fully healed. Laser resurfacing is usually started after three months. Surgical scar revision is generally deferred until at least twelve months after top surgery. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery evaluates each patient individually. Call (310) 998-5533.
Are top surgery scar treatments safe for darker skin tones?
Yes, when performed with the correct technique for each skin type. Patients with darker skin tones are treated with laser protocols designed to minimize the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and chemical peels are selected for pigmentation safety. Dr. Karamanoukian tailors every treatment to the patient's Fitzpatrick skin type. Call (310) 998-5533.
How many laser sessions are needed for top surgery scars?
Most patients need three to six fractional laser sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart. Hypertrophic or keloid scars typically require additional steroid injection sessions alongside laser. Dr. Karamanoukian designs each patient's program individually at Kare Plastic Surgery. Call (310) 998-5533.
Can hypertrophic and keloid top surgery scars be treated?
Yes. These are treated with a combination of steroid injections, Vbeam laser, fractional CO2 laser, silicone therapy, and in some cases surgical excision. Keloid scars require combination therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates all types of top surgery scars. Call (310) 998-5533.
Does top surgery scar revision require surgery?
Not always. Many top surgery scars respond well to laser resurfacing, steroid injections, and chemical peels without the need for surgery. Surgical revision is reserved for scars that are wide, functionally limiting, or that have not responded adequately to non-surgical treatment after the scar has fully matured. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each scar individually. Call (310) 998-5533.
Schedule Your Top Surgery Scar Consultation
Kare Plastic Surgery · Los Angeles & Santa Monica · 804 7th Street
Treat Your Top Surgery Scar with Dr. Karamanoukian
Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, nationally recognized FTM scar revision expert and board-certified plastic surgeon at Kare Plastic Surgery, treats chest scars after top surgery throughout Los Angeles using fractional CO2 laser, chemical peels, steroid injections, and surgical scar revision in a welcoming, affirming environment. Same-week consultations available.