Background: Although obtaining symmetrical breasts with good projection and a correctly positioned nipple-areola complex are the main objectives after breast reduction (BR) or mastopexy (MP), the importance of areola esthetics should not be underestimated. In this study, the authors discuss the use of dermabrasion for another purpose, which is to achieve a more natural areola with a smooth, natural border and depigmentation.
Methods: Twenty-three patients who had undergone BR surgery (18) or MP (5) between 2012 and 2014 were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 25.5 (range 19-43). Dermabrasion of the areola was performed using a diamond-type fraise to obtain a smooth transition from the border of the areola to the depigmented areola zones.
Results: The patients were followed up for 15 months on average (range 12-18 months). In a survey administered 1 year after surgery, the patients were asked to score their new areola on a scale of 0-10. The mean score was 8.6 (range 4-10). Three patients were re-operated due to the persistence of the sharp border due to insufficient dermabrasion. One patient had a hypertrophic scar and another had hyperpigmentation.
Conclusions: Satisfactory and a more natural areola can be obtained using dermabrasion with few complications in BR or MP patients. Therefore, this technique may be considered a complementary procedure for motivated and voluntary patients ready to accept the disadvantages of a secondary procedure.