One of the top questions patients have before their mastopexy is, “How obvious will my breast lift scars be?”
And the truth is, breast lift scars are indeed visible. However, let’s look at a few reasons why this might not matter as much as you think.
First, what we urge patients to think about is how much they want the results that a breast lift surgery can provide. Many of our patients come in with severely sagging breasts, which lack volume and often appear flat and droopy against the chest. Their nipples point downward, and these patients are very unhappy with their overall breast appearance.
In this case, even though scarring is a certain result of breast lift, for most people, the benefits outweigh this negative. In other words, the breast scars are worth it.
In addition to this, it’s important to know that scars will be most visible right after surgery. As time goes on, most patients are going to see their healed breast lift scars blend quite nicely with the surrounding skin.
With all of that said, however, we certainly understand the desire to minimize the appearance of a breast lift or a breast reduction scar after surgery. So, if you’ve decided to move ahead with the cosmetic procedure, but you’re slightly worried about how your scars will appear, this article is for you.
Below, we’ll go over our top tips for minimizing the appearance of your breast surgery scars.
5 Tips to Minimize Breast Lift Scars
1. Follow your plastic surgeon’s healing process guidelines
In other words, trust that the instructions for breast lift recovery given to you by your plastic surgeon are very important because they are.
- While it may seem silly to avoid lifting heavy things, even when you feel just fine, follow the instructions.
- While it may be slightly more uncomfortable sleeping on your back night after night, follow the instructions.
- While it may be difficult to wear your compression garment or surgical bra as directed, follow the instructions.
These guidelines are in place to help your breast lift incisions heal and ensure optimal breast lift results.
2. Limit sun exposure
Sunlight makes breast lift scars worse. Exposure to UV rays will darken the scar tissue, and it can be difficult to reverse these effects.
Therefore, if you must go out into the sun, always make sure your incision sites are covered with both protective clothing and SPF lotion if necessary.
3. Try silicone scar sheeting
Silicone gel sheets can do amazing things for breast lift scars. Whether it’s located on the breast crease, outer areola, or lower breast pole (lollipop lift and anchor lift), every breast lift scar you have should benefit from silicone.
Not only does silicone moisturize the area, keeping the skin hydrated, but it also helps to reduce collagen production, which helps keep your breast tissue more pliable and less lumpy and stiff.
Most breast lift scars will fade and flatten on their own, but silicone sheets and other scar gels can help speed up the process.
4. Speak to your surgeon about massage
Scar buildup can lead to thick scars. Fortunately, you can use a massage for breast lift technique that lightly breaks down this scar tissue to make the area softer and more flexible.
Just remember that you must check with your surgeon first, and your scars must be completely healed (closed) before you can begin massage.
5. Consider professional scar removal treatments if necessary
Finally, if you do notice that your scars are not flattening or fading as well as they should be, don’t hesitate to reach out to your surgeon. Some individuals are prone to developing keloid scars or hypertrophic scars.
These are challenging to treat, but you can still minimize scarring in this case with an additional surgical procedure, the use of a laser, or similar treatment.
Breast Lift Scars FAQ
What do breast lift scars after one year look like?
Healed one year breast lift scars should be flat and flush with the surrounding skin and all excess skin removed.
They should be muted in pigment and beginning to lighten up, ideally bleeding/blending into the surrounding skin.
My breast lift scars healed and raised. What do I do?
If your scars are raised and thick, this could be a hypertrophic or keloid scar. Hypertrophic scars tend to be the same size as the original scar, but they are raised. On the other hand, keloid scars actually grow larger than the original scar size.
Both of these types of scars can be treated with various scar therapies. This may involve additional plastic surgery, use of lasers, injections, or another similar treatment.
How much does a breast lift cost?
Breast lift costs vary significantly based on several key factors. The choice of surgeon is the primary cost factor, as each plastic surgeon charges different amounts for their services. The scope of breast surgery also affects pricing – different incision patterns and whether you combine the lift with breast implants or other procedures will naturally impact the total cost.
Geographic location plays a role too, with rural areas typically offering lower prices while larger urban centers charge more, though highly skilled plastic surgeons tend to practice in major cities. Additional costs include hospital fees from surgical facilities, anesthesia expenses (which vary based on operating room time), and facility fees.
What types of breast lift procedures are there?
Breast lift surgeries include anchor, lollipop, and periareolar lifts. These types of breast lift procedures vary in incision patterns and are tailored to address different degrees of breast sagging and ptosis.
What do boob lift scars look like?
Boob lift scars vary depending on the technique used. A crescent lift results in minimal scarring with a small incision along the top of the areola. A donut breast lift involves surgical incisions around the entire areola. More extensive procedures may create more noticeable scars that extend vertically down from the areola and sometimes along the breast crease.
How long do breast lift scars take to go away?
Breast lift scars typically fade significantly over 12-18 months as part of the natural scar healing process. Initially, scars may appear red or raised, but their scar appearance gradually improves. Factors that promote healing include proper wound care, sun protection, and following post-operative instructions to support optimal recovery.
What are the negatives of a breast lift?
The main negatives include the presence of permanent scars, potential for extensive scarring depending on the technique needed, and the recovery process requirements. There’s also a possibility that results may not achieve the significant lift some patients desire, and future changes in breast shape can occur due to aging or weight fluctuations.
What happens if I don’t wear a bra after a breast lift?
Not wearing a supportive bra after surgery can negatively impact your results and healing. Proper support is essential to maintain the new breast position, reduce swelling, and ensure adequate blood flow to the healing tissues. Without proper support, the tissues may not heal optimally.
Is a breast lift high risk?
A breast lift is generally considered a safe procedure when performed by a qualified plastic surgeon. Like any surgery, there are risks, but serious complications are relatively uncommon. The procedure effectively works to lift breasts and improve their position with predictable results when proper surgical techniques and post-operative care are followed.
Arrange a Consultation Appointment Today
Female board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ashley Steinberg specializes in breast lift surgery, breast augmentation surgery (breast implants), and breast reduction surgery at her Houston practice.
If you’re struggling with breast sagging and downward pointing nipples, breast lifts can do wonders for your look, and your self-esteem!
Please call our office today to set up your one-on-one consultation with Dr. Steinberg. We look forward to seeing you!
