a guide to top surgery scar care.
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- Опубліковано 6 лют 2025
- Check out Skillshare, it’s rad! skl.sh/ashhard...
Intro music by Ellie, who is trying to raise funds for an EP: / elliedesautels
Jamie: / mrpinocchio17
Ashton: / @graveyardpansy
Brett: / @bretttomlin
Spencer: / ftmtranstastic and ...
Spencer Ray: / @spencerray97
Celeste: / @celestarius
Alex: / @laughingalex
Alexander Jasper-Jay: / @alexanderjasperjay
Kyle: ...
Cole: / laterknown
Background music by Oscar: open.spotify.c...
And Lea: • K's Song - An Original...
CicaTape: www.amazon.com...
My book with lots more info like this :) goo.gl/9zXFpw
Free book: goo.gl/Gerie7
Stalk me! (Or don't, I don't own you...)
Second Channel: / ashleymardell
Twitter: / ashhardell
Facebook: www.facebook.co...
Tumblr: / ashhardell
Instagram: ashhardell
Endscreen music by: / reneeyoxon
Stay tuned for next time to see Grace here about my nip issues :P :D
...you have scare care techniques of your own! Share them in the comments below.
Ash Hardell I love ur videos ur such an inspiration 💕 💕 💕
I wanted to see the picture right meow..😾 Get it?
There’s a technique called graston that can help reduce the appearance of scars, soften them and break up scar tissue so they’re not so “bound” to you body. It’s uncomfortable AF but works on scars (and super tight muscles too). I can’t give examples of it specifically for top surgery but it’s definitely something to look into or ask your doctor (but I wouldn’t think about it until a year after surgery).
Hello! This is my son's account and i was checking all his comments and stuff, seeing if he was following good people and everything, and i saw that he was following you and i instantly remembered your face! My boy has been obsessed with your videis for quite some time and it really helps him with his autism, When he's having a breakdown, panic attack, or anxiety attack, he always puts on his headphones, hides under his blankets and watches your videos.
He's been struggling a lot, with his anxiety, autism and depresson, and on top of that he came out as trans ftm a mouth a go, and when he was telling me that he was a boy not a girl, he was listening to your music, his grandma said he was watching your videos on repeat all night until he got the courage to tell me.
I'm like a total noob when it comes to this but when you do the surgery do they like cut the nipple too? If yes is the scar treatment the same? if the next video will cover it then you can just ignore this. Stay hydrated~
This is an awesome video! Thanks for letting me be part of it 😊💛
Jamie, I was so excited to see your face pop up in an Ash video! Love your channel and all your vids. You rock!
Jammidodger Jamie!!
Jammidoger? In my Ash Hardell video? Amazing!
Omg I love your videos and I was surprised when you showed up in this vid but congrats
YES FOR THE BODY DIVERSITY OF THE CARDBOARD CUTOUTS OF CUTIES WITH TOP SURGERY SCARS
This was published exactly 3 hours after I got out of top surgery. Ash, I know this was a coincidence, but goddamn was it a beautiful one. 😊🏳️🌈
Congrats on the surgery! I hope your healing process goes very well!
@@grayhadeswolf Thank you!
Congrats! That's really awesome! Hope the healing goes well! Good vibes from Scotland!
Hope your healing has and is going well!!
James O congratulations!!
i'm a cis-het and actually not at all affected by these topics but I love to learn about other people's experiences :)
I´m cis and I find this very interesting aswell even if I´m not affected by it (:
Yes me too! It's really interesting :)
That’s awesome, we need more allies like you in the world
I love learning about other genders and sexualities so I can be more aware and supportive. Being CIS-bi I want to always learn because I want to be able to understand my friends so I can be understanding and also I might be able to send them to an informed resource, such as Ash or Jamie.
Same
Every time I watch ash’s videos for awhile and the editing still blows me apart every single time. Wow! What a talented non-binary legend
Yeah their editing skills are on fire!!
Yas every freaking video, i am like I am like how is he so talented and like she is so nice and like wow they are so attractive haha. :o
@@ninayee6361 yes! Way to cycle those pronouns! Hope this gives them a nice pop of gender euphoria. :) he def deserves it bc she abso-fuckin-lutely rockkkkkksss! What a lovely soul.
@@ninayee6361 ah come on now ! Even grace can't keep a straight face when she calls Ash a he haha. No hate I do love them both of course!
i like how, after they got top surgery, ash seems calmer and relaxed
it's like they're at peace, idk
Yes pls do a vid on 3D nipple tattoos. I really enjoy learning about this.
3D TATTOOS?!
Scar tape is my favourite too! Here’s some input from me on them - i use the mepitac brand like cole does, which comes in a thinner size so you don’t have to cut it down the middle, which i find convenient. similar to ash, I find it’s a lot more affordable to order online, especially since you can use one application for ~a week and you can cut the strips to size. also, a tip on taking them off - do it in the shower! if you take off a small corner of the strip, then the water can run underneath and it helps soften the stickiness for me.
Seconding (thirding?) this! I got mine on eBay for like $15/roll and that made it really affordable. (Also, hi Ashton!)
I haven’t had top surgery but I did have a deep cut on my knee once and I used a similar tape type thing and if it really hurt then I used some oil to help ‘melt’ the glue!
i love you!
yesssss. any kind of tape/bandage that you have to put on should be taken off in the shower if possible, it makes it hurt waaaay less. i've used second skin to heal tattoos and i always take that off in the shower, and a couple of years ago when i was doing pt for a wrist injury i would always take the kt tape off in the shower cos if i tried to do it dry it was brutal
Ashton Daniel it was so cool to see my favourite ash's in one video !!
I am a cisgender woman who had a breast reduction in October. I have learned so much from this video and I am going to look into some of your ideas for scars. I would love to see a video on 3D tattooing! Love your channel!
marjodye1 I second this! I had a breast reduction 20 years ago (damn I’m old...) my plastic surgeon misdiagnosed a staph infection and I got some wonky scarring around one of my nipples. I’m still in love with the zero back pain but would love a more “normal” (for me) tattoo!
Keep in mind pls, people with larger chests are gonna need MUCH longer scar strips as i found out post op. my scars needed to go up under my arms lel
i didnt know that but thank you because i have Large Chest Material so this is good information for my future
OH WOW .. FOR REAL !! THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP. IM A 40D
I think the tattoos to cover the scar on the chest are really classy and look amazing.
agree!
Also, btw, those craft visual aids were amazing. They definitely helped to make the concepts, techniques, and materials crystal clear. What a genius idea. I'm sure it took a lot of extra work, but damn did it payoff very bigly. ;) thank you so much for your effort to inform. They were very useful for visual learners.
so i‘m diabetic and the picture with the insulin pump means so much to me 😭❤️❤️❤️
ruined_carpet what time
Ella Fulkerson 2:26
I too am diabetic.
Bro I didn’t notice that at first :0
I have diabetes too
Random but seeing Jammie Dodger delighted me
YAAAAS when I saw Jamie I was like OMMGG its like my 2 favorite UA-camrs all wrapped up in one vid! Is this christmas??
sameee
“I’m molting!”
~Ash Hardell 2019
I got a bit teary during this video. Thank you so much for making it, I don’t think I’ve ever heard people talk about imperfections and corrections and dysphoria related to surgery results and this really helps normalize it and spread awesome information.
I think we are all probably a little scared to talk about this sort of thing because of the people that are waiting around the corner to use any dissatisfaction with our results to invalidate us and our identities, but the truth is that everyones bodies are so diverse and unique that it is only natural that things may not end up healing like the perfect thin scars and round nipples that we all dreamed of.
I know that while I love my chest and how it feels and how unique it is to me, I’ve been dissatisfied with the size of my areola, and bothered by the fact that they are kind of lopsided and not as round as Iike, and hearing all these stories makes me feel a lot more confident about wanting to get medical tattoos in the future.
In general, I love the aura of positivity this video has and how it celebrates the diversity in all of us. Really made me feel a lot of self love and optimism, I think I needed it 💚🌿 Hope all the other folks out there feel a little happier after this video as well!
I had really bad keloid scaring after my top surgery. It made my scars really thick, hard, and sometimes painful. My chest was constantly itchy, even after 5 months! My dermatologist recommended steroid injections and I ended up doing 3 rounds of them. My scars are lighter in color, no longer hard, and my chest stopped itching almost immediately after the first round of injections. Definitely don't be afraid to talk with your surgeon, dermatologist, or primary care doctor about options. I didn't even know my scars were bad until my primary said that was why my chest was so itchy.
Random comment:
Manatees can swim at an average of 5 miles an hour.
I never knew I needed this in my life... I love this so much, thank you for this random fact
they be ZOOMING
Random fact did you know that manatees can be gay/ lesbian?
i almost died laughing at this, it’s so random (i have a cold so i was just couching and laughing at the same time)
Leave it to one of the best LGBT+ UA-camrs to help people about things they may be to embarrassed to asked about!
They definitely are one of the best LGBT+ UA-camrs, but moreover: one of the best UA-camrs-- no qualification needed.
You’re right! Just to make sure, I meant LGBT+ UA-camr as in someone who mainly talks about stuff like this, not just because they are a part of the community.
Panic! At The G Note you have the best user ever
Your name mentally g noted me
Thank you, and it does that to me all the time
“And I’d be like “ew I’m molting!” “
~Ash Hardell , 2019
I really love the visualisations you used here. Especially with all the different kinds of body types and skin colours represented.
Idk if it was intentional, but the way the fairy light in the background follows the shape of your head and shoulder is very aesthetically pleasing!
My surgeon advised me not to bother with expensive scar care products, so I just used a regular non-scented moisturising cream, and it worked perfectly for me ^_^
In physical therapy we (as I’m a physical therapist) always massage the scars, we actually do it in about 2 weeks after.
You could have go to a physical therapist for help in the massage and what cream you want to be around when you are healing.
You can put oil in the way you pull so the oil will help with the pulling of the silicone.
I love you ash and grace you are the best.
thanks so much Ash for letting me be apart of this! absolutely loved the video ❤️ (i’m the lad at 17:13 in case you’re wondering) 😃
This is such a great video (the crafts!!) and I loved hearing everyone else's experiences. Thank you for including me 💗
I have a solution for your itch problem 😊 Basically, the parts of your body that are itchy have the largest blood flow, and blood flows to the area that pressure is on. So, if you itch or apply pressure to anither area, the blood will flow over there and your chest and scars will no longer itch. Hopefully this helps 👌
I'm a cis woman who's had a breast reduction and I'm super grateful to you and other trans youtubers for the incredibly helpful information on scarring and chest surgery aftercare! I know I'm not the intended audience, but I just wanted to give my two cents and say that personally I would REALLY appreciate a video on medical tattooing and related topics! Thanks again!
I'm a pan female and have no urge to get top surgery. But I'm an anxious person an you make me feel better in an anxiety attack or gust being anxious. I'm so happy you are on UA-cam. You're amazing
Just came here to say thank you for this video. Ive been watching it every time my dysphoria gets bad for years and now Im fresh out of top surgery. This felt like the perfect place to say something as I dont really post theings myself.
I'm already saltier than the dead sea but I'd never be salty about getting an extra video!
Riiight?!
I got a gay proposal ad 😂😂 they know I'm gay
Emily Target lmao
Baby oil might help to take the silicon strips off! That's what I use to take off tape 😊
Emily S ahh maybe!
Ash Hardell at least it helps for KT tape when I do drag 😂
Getting top surgery in May... the ending clips made me cry reaffirming me that no matter what happens for my surgery results, it will always be beautiful and that there are options for me.
Happy for you :)
@@fnafvhstapes1983 I got the surgery early! I am now 24 days post op (:
@@reisuke_6030 IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! How's it going?
Thanks everyone who made an appearance on Ash’s video, and thank you Ash for the education!! This helps me a lot, lots of unanswered questions being, well.. answered! and don’t worry, were not salty about the “part 2” thing, any video with you in it is a blessing
I love the amount of information you give us in your videos. I truly appreciate the amount of work you put into your videos. Your channel is love, positivity and education all in one beautiful package.
Use a product like Unisolve wipes to help get the tape off without pulling!! It's amazing for getting all kinds of adhesive off your skin!
Thanks for this video - it’s still out here helping. I’m 8 weeks post-op and just started using CicaTape and I was like wait, didn’t Ash once say to cut this in half or something? And I searched for this video. NOW it fits me so much better. Thanks!!
It’s interesting to hear that tape makes you feel more comfortable. I’m happy that they are helping you with healing and disphoria.
Hey Ash, in case you see this, I'm so grateful you shared these videos. You put so much work into them and I'm so so thankful.
W o a h a so much knowledge so much learn
But that was great can't wait for the next one ^^
So I had a surgery (not top surgery, but my scar care after I think will still be relevant) and my physical therapy had me get pure vitamin E for the scar, to do scar massages to break up the car. Now it's been a year and a half, and the scar is almost completely flat and the color or nearly back to skin toned
THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING DISABLED PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!! Also captions and image descriptions! We stan!!!!
I definitely relate to the "itch you can't scratch". I've been on estrogen for almost 3 months and have been getting that a lot on/in my nipples as they are growing.
I got an add at 12:39 about a gay guy asking his boyfriend to marry him.
I dunno if it was meant to be an ad but it was the most heartwarming ad ever.
This video helped me so much in how to take care of my scars after my top surgery ❤️ I continue to reccommend the video whenever my friends and acquaintances get top surgery as well
Thank you so much for taking the time to record and share your experiences and knowledge Ash ❤️ It's truly a gift that keeps on giving
I love you new haircut and glasses! You look so cute!
This came out at the perfect time! I woke up in the hospital after top surgery and saw this on my feed. I am sooo happy. Thank you Ash!
This was a great video! I'm a cis girl and I had a breast reduction surgery in June of 2017. I always thought top surgery and breast reductions recovery was similar- I think the procedures and immediate recovery are somewhat- but this helped me learn about some of the differences! Scar healing seems a lot more complex in top surgeries but I'm sure these tips would be helpful to anyone with surgical scars too! Thank you for sharing!
Every single video you make is attentive and compassionate and smart. Your style is also gorgeous. You look so gorgeous. So much love xoxo
I also wanted to say that I loved the little bits you added to your crafts to be inclusive, especially the colostomy bag and insulin pump. Your efforts toward great representation are appreciated! Thank you.
Ash really is a treasure.
I love the visual representations! For topics like the one being discussed I always feel visual aids help so much.
Yay I saw your Insta story and i was waiting! I'm so happy
I'm furiously taking notes from all of these folks for my future top surgery. Thank you for putting this information out there!! I have been back and forth with being terrified of surgery but all of your openness about it is so helpful.
I flipping love your editing!! I'm learning! Also, "I'm molting" will definitely be quoted by me after I get sun burned this summer👌👌
Thank you for making me genuinely excited for top surgery! I scheduled my consult after 7 years of waiting, and I was really freaking scared. Thank you for being so knowledgeable and helping put pretty much all of my fears to rest.
You can WASH the silicone strips, and like rub the dust and lint off the sticky side and let them air dry to reuse them.
Daniela Salazar true!!!
Waitt how? Is it the silicone itself that helps then? I assumed it was a kinda medicated strip
hall0w33nb0y yup! Its the silicone itself. Thats why burn creams have just straight up silicone in them as an ingredient. Ive bought strips at grocery store and it only wasnt too expensive bc i could wash and reuse them.
This video was awesome. You gave soo much great information Ash. I love your personality too. Much love!
the insulin pump drawing! :3
Scar products (Ash' experiences)
1. Scarguard 5:02
2. Scar massaging 6:18
3. Scar creams 8:05
- Mederma (recommendation at 17:17)
- Silicone lube hack 9:30
4. Silicone strip (Ash' fav) 9:45
- Cicatape linked in description
5. Bio oil 14:20
- Alternative to creams
Alternatives
6. Laser / Micro surgeries / revisions 15:32
7. Medical/3D nipple tattoos 15:39
Other people share their experiences 15:53
1. Micro surgery: Dog ear 15:55
2. Piercing after loss of nip tip 16:35
3. Tamanut oil and mepitac strips 16:58
4. Mederma recommendation 17:17
5. Coco butter 18:00
6. Protect against sun 18:16
7. Bio Oil 18:25
8. Losing tissue revision 18:36
9. Hyperpigmentation and hyperkeratosis, (esp for POC fam♥️) 19:01
- Koji acid
- Talk to dermatologist / surgeon
10. Silicone tape, bio oil, coconut oil 19:20
Perfect timing of the video!
I finally had my top surgery last week 😊
I almost had to watch this in 2 sittings but I managed to get thru it in one go. I want top surgery eventually and I’m worried about how I’ll handle it- both bc of dysphoria and my over-sensitivity to surgical procedures and such. But seeing your progress and honesty in your videos has been helping a lot I think! Thank you so much for sharing and talking about this important stuff.
5 days post-op ^^ doin research on what comes next !!
Ahh so happy for you! How's it going?
I’m really glad you put POC trans folks in this video! Bc what I’ve realized as an Asian trans male who had top surgery recently (2 mos age), healing is different between me + my White transmasc friends.
I’ve had 2 White transmasc friends who’ve gotten top surgery (by the same surgeon, Dr. Mosser). He’s a really good surgeon + has amazing results, but also, just generally what I’ve seen, White transmasc folks tend to heal better or lighter post-op + Asian transmasc folks tend to have darker scars. White trans folks post-op typically have pink nipples + Asian trans folks post-op typically have brown nipples- Regardless of if their nips were pink pre-op or not. The actual centers of my nips pre-op were pink, but the areolas were a light brown + currently, my nips are just brown post-op.
I'm preparing for my partners surgery and this was so helpful and positive!
I’m so excited to hear the scratching struggle because even tho I had my back surgery 9 years ago I still have spots that aren’t numb and itch. No one in my family understands the annoyance
Ash how are you so damn adorable??? Holy shit, I just love you and Grace! You're as informative and inclusive as ever, and I want to thank you for making videos and sharing. You make me feel good and safe, and that exploring oneself is okay to do. So thanks! You are fantastic :)
This is so freaking helpful considering I’m seriously looking into top surgery right now and I have no idea how to move through all of the info out there. Thanks, Ash! Can’t wait for part 2!
As a watcher of your videos for about several months, I'm very happy to say I'm comfortable getting surgery. I've talked with my partner about it, and he is encouraging me in many ways via the internet, since he won't be home for two more months.
Your videos have boosted my confidence and understanding of the highs and lows of transitioning, surgery, and post-op things.
I really hope you continue to heal well and that you and Grace have a good time together making more videos and just being a prime pair of two beautiful people. - Lawrence
Wow. I just had to say how moving this is. Seeing all of these beautiful people, who look just how they want to. It’s incredible. Thank you to all the doctors, regular people, friends, who make this possible.
Hi Ash I think you’re a cool person this video was really cool thanks for posting!
all the guests made me so happy 🖤
As a fellow trans-nonbinary person who's about to get onto British Columbia's top surgery weight list, thank you so much for the info! It feels so good to have all the information I need to make sure I heal well :)
I loved that this is a 2 parter to get all the cool information and learning in and then save the reveal for part two, something to enjoy now and something for later 😀
I love that all your vids are so different and inclusive! Thanks queen.
omg!!! i love the insulin pump on the cutouts aaaahhh!!! i have one and seeing that made me so freaking happy like you don’t even know
I really felt warm tingly feelings seeing the diverse collection of torso's.
LIke we get a little stoma, and an amputee :) so cute!
wow, you are so genuinely hilarious! thank you for this video ❤
This is really well done. Thank you Ash!
you’re so absolutely pleasant to watch. i freakin love you ash
So happy that is not age restricted 🙌🏼💕
Just had surgery and I’ve been struggling to find good sources of a scar regimen. Thank you so much!
The amount of effort you put into the visuals is amazing!!
Wow! I love so many things about this! The cat puns, excellent information, including other views from other creators, thank you for creating and sharing!
Hello Ash, I'm an agender person that has been dabbling with the idea of top surgery for the past few months (totally not planning on doing it anytime soon) and I was wondering if you could do a video on either yours or Graces experience being a care taker? I think being able to show something like that to my partner and family would make them a lot less unsure about the whole process.
So cool to see such a variety of folks who've had top surgery! Love learning from you Ash :)
I’m getting top-surgery next week! The only thing is I’m getting no nipples and I wish I could see more examples of other people who did that because I’m scared I’ll look weird
Same
I watch so many videos about top surgery even though it feels like I'm never going to be able to afford it. Ugh lol
Aw. I hope you do eventually get enough money to receive the surgery one day!
Who else clicked right away?
Ch! DUH!! :)
Šīśtër Mãïä me except I had to wait a bit longer to do so CAUSE MY LOVE WAS HURT.
I’m weird by the way
Thanks so much for you video! Cis male here but I had gynecomastia and excess skin removed in my chest after a big weight loss. Essentially top surgery! You helped me out so much! So excited to get this ace bandage off and see my new chest
Its weird to think ftm trans people were girls before like I'm not trying to say "yOU wERe a GirL bEfOre aNd wiLl alWaYs bE a gIrL" like nono but like just seeing those guys happy and talking about top surgery I just think "you were a girl before?!" Like it's so cool to see transitions and like MmM
They were never girls, they were just mistaken for girls.
Preach but yea
You two are such pure good hearted humans I just really enjoy your videos and getting to see and hear from you again❤️
I'm just saying if your inclusive chests were a merch item as either stickers or some kind of paper doll I could put into a shadow box I would so not be mad.
I just had top surgery (double incision) on Friday, and this is really helpful for more ideas on scar care!! I can't wait to get my drains out and see my chest (even if it isn't perfect). ♥️
The worst nerve damage related feeling I have come into is when my chest gets cold. I still get the feeling of painful, cold nipples except my actual nipples (i.e. the grafts) are fine, it's just the nerves on my chest which previously led to where my nipples were that get activated and oof, nothing came close to the level of discomfort I felt for those moments. Painful, cold, phantom nipples.
i'm so glad ellie was the artist for this episode. I love them so much
The editing in this video is so great! I can tell that you out a lot of effort into your videos Ash, and I love all of them.
PS I'm from Minneapolis too, the snow today was crazy!!! It's supposed to be spring!
Just wanna say seeing videos like this warm my heart. Everyone is so great and Ash is a little treasure and I'm just hopelessly emotional about this 😭 if love to see a video about the tattooing! Keep being amazing!
Thank you for the very informative video! I would definitely love to see a video about tattooing nips! I also really appreciate the diversity in bodies shown in this video. Also, your wedding ring is gorgeous!