The Treatment
To me, scars are like battle wounds. Beautiful, in a way. They represent what you’ve been through and how strong you are for coming out on the other side. I don’t wish them away, but I’d like them to heal in the best way possible. Enter Embrace Scar Therapy treatment.
I’d heard of this treatment previously, and my plastic surgeon is even well-versed on the product. I trust him wholeheartedly, so if he was into it, I was into it. I ultimately decided on the medium Embrace dressing for a 3-month treatment resulting in lighter, thinner, flatter scars. The ideal treatment window is 1-4 weeks after suture removal for a 8-week treatment plan. Since I was about 9 weeks out from my surgery date, Embrace recommended a 12-week treatment plan for me. I totally respect how they treat every patient as an individual instead of giving everyone the same plan.
The Process
I began my treatment on the evening of September 14th, peeling open my very first dressings that I’d leave on each breast for 10 days at a time. In the beginning, I was really nervous how the applications would affect my workouts (hot yoga, for example, can get very sweaty). Turns out, the medical grade adhesive allowed everything to stay in place. My yoga, Orange Theory, spinning, running and everything that came in between could carry on as usual! These little dressings fit into my crazy lifestyle so seamlessly. Even on a month long trip through India and Sri Lanka, they maybe took up 0.1 lbs in my suitcase. Score!
The first time I removed the dressings, I noticed some redness which is common. Since it was the first time I had changed the dressings, I left them off for about 72 hours to let my skin breathe. During the remainder of the treatment my skin adjusted really well, and I could reapply after only 24 hours. Note that for the first removal, it helped immensely to be in the shower, slowly moving the strip upwards and rolling it backwards on itself. I bought baby oil that aided in taking off the lint that usually creates a dark edge around the dressings. I also bought tree oil to help with skin irritation after I removed the strips. I found both of these practices super helpful.
The Results
I love a before/after side-by-side, and I obviously can’t end this post without showing one of my own. If you look closely, in a non-creepy way, you can see how rigid my scars were when I started the treatment and how smooth they are now. The color of the incision has also lightened significantly!
So basically what I’m saying is my scars have come such a long way since September. The photos don’t do my results justice, but I’m really happy with the scars since they are much lighter and have healed faster. I definitely want to note that this treatment isn’t only for mastectomy patients though. Embrace has a few different products that can be used on anything from c-section scars to breast augmentations to cuts & lacerations and even have options depending on how new/old your scars are. I used Embrace Active Scar Defense, a preventative treatment for new scars less than 6 months old. For scars older than 6 months, Embrace Minimize helps to reduce the appearance of scarring. That being said, no matter where you are in the healing process, it’s great to know that there are options! This product really is for everyone who is in the healing process wishing to rid of their prominent scars.
If you’re interested in trying Embrace Scar Therapy, buy one & get one half off on all 30-day kits with code Lesley30! Expires January 31st.
A special thanks for assuring others and make their lives so much better!
A brave post. I’m glad the therapy was successful. Peace.
I love the definition you gave; “a representation of will and strength to live.” Those are the perfect words to sum up the why of my choice to have my double mastectomy in July. I look forward to giving these a try after my reconstruction surgery next month! Thank you again for sharing.
You are making a great decision. Sending you all of my good vibes in July!
So I have the brac gene also and had a double mastectomy in my 50th birthday Can you tell me what kind of implants that you have
I have round, non-textured silicone 500 cc Mentor implants. I hope you are healing well!
Have you ever heard of breast implant illness? It’s real and thousands of us are explanting. Implants are toxic and cause lots of problems….I discovered it a couple years ago, it’s scary and eye opening….I wish you well but breast implants are ticking time bombs and I’m afraid you swapped one problem for another. At least read about it so if you start having issues you know why.
Thanks, I am VERY informed on this issue and believe I did the best thing for me and my body.
You should read up on this blogger’s posts before you point a finger at her and claim she doesn’t know about breast implant illness. She is aware, she did do research, and her choice is HER choice. Breast implant illness is being caused by textured implants, which are not recommended for reconstruction patients (and currently are hardly being used at all anymore).
Sincerely – another BC pre/survivor
I’m sorry to upset you. I have not read all of her posts but I have done lots of research on BII and unfortunately there is no safe implant. Mine were saline and wreaked havoc on my body. I’m sure if I was in the same situation it would be very hard for me to go completely flat so I’m not judging at all. Just spreading awareness on the topic in case future issues arise people will know why.
Sorry for the weird question I’m gonna have to go through this in a few years! My mom had cancer then had reconstructive surgery but with her they cut out the nipple completely, since you didn’t have existing cancer did you get to keep your or have them tattooed back on? Thanks so much for sharing your story!
Hi Skylar – you’re right. Since I didn’t have cancer, I was able to keep skin + nipple, although I’ve heard about some pretty amazing tattoo artists who do nipples 🙂 Something to think about if you go down that route!
I really love that you shared this! And were brave enough to go through with the double mastectomy. It’s inspiring!
Thanks for the love, Lexi!
May be too much to ask but my mom had breast cancer twice now, two mastectomies, I have not been tested but am considering such a surgery, and am wondering if you have nipples still?? Sorry if it’s too much!
I do have my nipples still. Since I did the surgery prophylactically and didn’t have cancer, I was able to keep them.
This is amazing! I actually have been getting microneedling done on my 7 years old scars from breast surgery and the results are amazing!
Gracias por compartir esta etapa de tu vida, eres una mujer valiente, te admiro mucho y te deseo toda la felicidad del mundo. Besos para ti y para tu amado Dean
Hola y gracias por tu mensaje! Muy amable!! Besos para ti 🙂
Lesley,
I have been SO inspired by your story, your example, and your vulnerability throughout this difficult + life changing experience. THANK YOU for your willingness to share. This is a topic I am very passionate about as I am an advocate for clean living in an effort to change the current stats for cancer + infertility, specifically in our country. I would love to connect with you and share more information about what I do and how you could help. We need more voices like yours to advocate for the changes that need to be made!
PS- obsessed with you + Dean, good choice! xo
Hi Katie, thanks for stopping by and thanks for all you do! A healthy lifestyle is so important. My email is lesley@theroadlestraveled for more connection!
Thanks so much for this Lesley! You were my fav from Sean’s season! I recently (like yesterday) found out I have Breast Fibroadenoma.. benign little rumours on my left tit. Did you have any like that? Or just decide to be proactive? Right now, it’s fine but I have to keep checking every 6 months. Kinda a pain but what ya going to do right?? Keep sharing, love your stuff xo
@queen.namaste
Hi Shannon, I didn’t have anything like this. Just decided to be proactive b/c I didn’t want to worry about it down the road. Keep up with your doc appts! xoxo
Hi Leslie: I too had a double mastectomy July 25. Was not able to keep nipples cancer too close. Had reconstruction and 3 weeks ago had the expanders swapped. I feel so great being at the end of this journey. Ordered the Embrace and looking forward to minimizing the scars then off to the tatoo artist. I am free!! Hugs and support for your journey and decisions. I am the 7th female in our family to have breast cancer and it is not the BRCA gene. Such tough choices. Want closure. Prayers for you and thank you for sharing your story – it helps. Hugs
Your blog superb, embracing scars is very difficult but if you do so then the whole woudcare treatment of scars become lot more easier.
I know! Its so hard to find something that works for acne and is moisturizing. Try Citrus Clears Sensitive Line – BUT NOT the Control Acne line. It was WAY too strong for my skin and dried me out. But but the Sensitive Line took the acne away, and kept my skin moisturized.