A Breast Lift procedure is performed to lift, tighten and reposition the breasts and areola. One of the main concerns patients have about undergoing the surgery is how extensive the scarring will be. Breast Lift scars do vary depending on whether incision lines were made, where they were made, and how many were used. This blog aims to provide information on what the scars from the various procedures will be like and to provide tips for helping them fade.
Guide
- What Is A Breast Lift Procedure?
- Breast Lift Scars
- Breast Lift Scars Healed
- Tips To Help Scars Fade
- What Not To Do After A Breast Lift Procedure
- Treatments To Minimize Scarring
- Breast Lift Treatments That Do Not Cause Scarring
- Conclusion
- Disclaimer
What Is A Breast Lift Procedure?
Surgical Breast Lifts are performed to remove excess skin and tissue to help tighten and lift breasts that have dropped or sagged as a result of aging, pregnancy, or weight loss. Since these procedures remove tissue and skin from around the breasts it is a necessary part of the procedure that incision lines are made on the breasts using a scalpel. Scars are an inevitable aspect of surgical incisions being made on the body and so all surgical Breast Lift procedures will leave some extent of scarring on the breasts.
Breast Lift Scars
After undergoing Breast Lift surgery, the incision lines will be very prominent which can lead some patients to feel concerned during their recovery that the scarring is too prominent. However, the scarring will improve over time and there are multiple techniques to further reduce the appearance of scars. The type of procedure performed will be the main factor in determining the extent of scarring.
Crescent or Donut Breast Lift
These procedures tend to produce minimal scarring as the incision lines are only created around the areola. The crescent lift only creates incisions on the top halved of the areola and so produces the least extensive scaring of all surgical lifting procedures.
Lollipop Lift
This technique creates incision lines onto the beasts themselves and so the scarring will be more extensive. An incision is created around the entire areola, the same as for a donut breast lift and then an additional incision line is made downwards to the bottom of the breasts. This means scarring is more significant and in the shape of a lollipop.
Anchor Lift
This procedure leaves the most extensive scarring as it creates the most incision lines of any of the techniques. The incision lines will go around the areola and down to the bottom of the breast like the lollipop procedure. Additionally, an incision is made across the width of the bottom of the breast. Although this will leave significant scarring, in the shape of an anchor on each of the breasts, this is necessary for some patients to be able to achieve their surgical goals.
Your surgeon will discuss the most suitable technique and show you the exact scar lines that the incisions will leave so you can decide how comfortable you are with the procedure and scarring. For more information on the various procedures, how they are performed, and the recovery period following the procedures you can view our Breast Lift page.
Breast Lift Scars Healed
Immediately after a Breast Lift procedure, the scarring from the incision lines will be very obvious and prominent as they need time to heal. Over time the scars will go from being an obvious purple or red color to being thin white lines that are significantly less prominent. However, it can take months up to a year for scars to lighten and fade significantly. Due to the placement of the incision lines, it is also very easy for the scars to be covered by clothing, bras, and bikinis.
To view before and after pictures of our Dallas Breast Lift patients to see the extent of their scarring after they have healed from the procedure you can view our Breast Lift Photo Gallery or for other breast surgeries view our Dallas Breast Surgery Gallery.
Tips To Help Scars Fade
Having scars after surgery is unavoidable but there are ways to help reduce the appearance of your scars. Initially, following the procedure, it is essential to keep the scars and incision sites clean to help avoid infection as this will make scarring, as well as your recovery process, significantly worse. Other tips for helping your scars fade include:
- Look after the incision sites and keep them covered
- Wear sunscreen whenever the area is exposed to the sun
- Applying silicone gel
- Using creams or oils that help the scar tissue to fade (vitamin E is known for its ability to help scars fade)
- Massages can help to decrease inflammation and help the scars to fade
- Wear a supportive bra especially when exercising
- Stay well hydrated
What Not To Do After A Breast Lift Procedure?
Healthline recommends various behaviors to avoid since they can worsen any scars from the procedure including:
- Exfoliating, or scrubbing the skin where the incision has been made (should be gentle especially when the area is healing)
- Scratching the scar tissue
- Smoking (impacts blood flow and recovery)
- Drinking alcohol for the first few weeks after the procedure
- Tanning the skin or having too much sun exposure which can impact the coloring of the scars
- Avoid lifting anything heavy
- Avoid vigorous exercise
Treatments To Minimize Scarring
Although scars after surgery are an unavoidable part of the procedure, there are more drastic scar treatment options to help minimize the appearance of breast scars. For example, undergoing laser treatments a while after the procedure when the scars have become permanent. Laser treatments can help to flatten the scars and stimulate the production of new skin cells that will help to cover the damaged skin cells of the scars.
Steroids injections can also be used to help reduce the appearance of scars. They are injected into the scar tissue on the breast and help relieve symptoms such as itching or redness as well as decrease the size of the scar.
Chemical peels can be used to improve the appearance of scars by removing the damaged skin cells of the scar. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery, chemical peels are one of the most cost-effective techniques to enhance the skin’s appearance but the outcome will depend on the specific type of chemicals used. Although this technique can effectively reduce the appearance of some scars it will not remove deep scars from surgical incisions.
Finally, scar revision surgery can be undertaken to reduce the appearance of scarring by helping the scar to better blend in with your skin color and texture. The American Society of Plastic Surgery explains that scar revision surgery is performed using layered closure techniques to close the surface scar.
Breast Lift Techniques That Do Not Cause Scarring
Scarless Breast Lift
This procedure is an incisionless breast lift that uses a radiofrequency assisted lipolysis system to tighten the breast tissue above the areola to lift the breasts. A local anesthetic is generally administered before the cannula is inserted into the skin which produces the current that helps to lift and tighten the breast tissue.
Since no incisions are created during this technique, there is minimal or no scarring from the small cannulas which are inserted into the breasts. The recovery time is also reduced but it is still recommended to avoid smoking or drinking alcohol and to take care of the incision sites.
Non-Surgical Breast Lift
There are multiple non-surgical procedures available to patients that provide a small lift that can last a year or two. These non-surgical treatments will be cheaper than undergoing a surgical procedure and will not leave any scars. However, the results will be minimal in comparison and will not achieve permanent results.
Non-surgical breast lift treatments use a variety of techniques to help lift and tighten the breasts. According to Healthline, these techniques include using laser, Thermage, blood in a vampire breast lift, threading techniques, and Botox injections. All non-surgical techniques will achieve far less drastic and significant results compared to a surgical procedure and the results tend to last up to a year. However, for those with more minimal concerns of breast sagging and who wish to avoid undergoing surgery and acquiring scars, this type of treatment can be ideal.
Conclusion
It is an inevitable aspect of surgery that you will be left with some extent of scarring. This blog aims to give you an insight into the extent of scarring you can expect from the various lifting techniques and advice or options for reducing scars.
If you are interested in undergoing a Breast Lift Procedure, it is recommended that you book a consultation with a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon. They will be able to assess your personal situation and explain the exact incision lines needed to achieve your desired results so you are fully informed before undergoing surgery. Dr. Liland is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who specialises in performing Breast Procedures and has 30 years of experience serving the Dallas community- Contact Us for a consultation.
Disclaimer
Please note: All materials on the Site, such as text, treatments, outcomes, photographs and images and any other material provided on the Site are for information purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding treatments. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Site.
Though the content of this blog has been carefully prepared, the author of this content is not a medical doctor and the content has not been reviewed by a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon.
Unless specifically stated, patients referred to in this blog have not received a Breast Lift procedure from Dr. Liland. This blog does not endorse the work of any doctors or surgeons mentioned. Stories relating to patients’ personal experiences of Breast Lift surgeries should be treated as anecdotal only.
Any application of the material provided is at the reader’s discretion and his, her, or their responsibility.