As in any other operation, breast lift involves incisions in the skin. Incisions carry the risk of scarring: it is the skin’s way of growing new tissue and healing the wound.
However, there are ways to minimize scarring before, during and after a breast lift.
Your first step is to find an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. Purchasing a portfolio will help you see what type of work the surgeon is capable of doing, as well as help you determine the results you are aiming for.
Working with an experienced surgeon can ultimately reduce the risk of complications, which are known to cause scarring. They can also teach you how to protect and treat your skin after surgery.
Read on to learn more about the different techniques available, what scars they can leave behind and how you can minimize their appearance.
Different techniques leave different scars
As far as scarring is concerned, not all breast lift surgeries are the same. Your surgeon may recommend a specific lift depending on what you want to address, such as breast sagging, size and shape.
As a general rule, the less you try to correct, the less incisions and scarring you will have later. You can get a better idea of what the surgery looks like by looking at your surgeon’s portfolio.
A dramatic elevation
The scarless facelift is the least invasive. Instead of making incisions in the skin, the surgeon uses a system of electrical currents or ultrasound to heat the fat cells and skin of the breast. As a result, the tissue tightens and becomes firmer, creating the desired lift.
Although technically scarless, this procedure is only suitable for women with minimal skin sagging.
Half-moon elevator
The crescent lift also produces minimal scarring. During this operation, a small incision is made. It runs halfway along the upper edge of the areola.
It is best suited for women with minimal sagging and no excess breast tissue from recent pregnancy or weight loss.
However, this procedure is usually only for women who also need breast augmentation. The facelift helps eliminate sagging, while the augmentation directly increases breast size. It also plumps up the often damaged skin that occurs with aging and weight loss, as well as after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Doughnut lifter
If you have more moderate sagging, your doctor may recommend a donut lift. As with the sickle lift, only one incision is made, so the scar is slightly reduced.
The incision is made in a circular fashion around the areola.
Donut lifts are often performed in conjunction with breast augmentation. They are also useful for women who want to reduce the size of the areola. For this reason, the procedure is also called a periareolar lift.
Lollipop Elevator
The lollipop (vertical) lift is for women who wish to slightly reshape their breasts while correcting sagging. It is one of the most common types of elevator.
During the procedure, the surgeon will make two incisions in each breast to remove excess skin and reshape them. The first incision is made from the underside of the areola to the crease under the breast. The second incision is made around the areola. This is where the “lollipop” shape comes from.
Anchor lifting
If you have significant sagging of the breasts, your surgeon may recommend an anchor lift. This type of lift involves the greatest degree of scarring, but provides the most significant transformation and reshaping of sagging breasts.
During the operation, the physician will make a horizontal incision along the chest wall. One incision is made between the crease and the areola. The other is along the edge of the areola. Because this operation is more extensive, it may result in more extensive scarring.
Horizontal mastopexy
Horizontal mastopexy involves only horizontal incisions. In theory, this helps minimize visible scarring along the areola and breast line. Once the incision is made, the surgeon will pull the excess tissue up through the breasts from below and out through the incision.
This procedure is good for very sagging breasts. It is also good for women who want to move their nipples upward.
What will the scars look like?
The incisions made in cosmetic surgery are usually fine. Shortly after the wound has healed, you may see a red, raised line around the edge of the incision. Over time, the color of the scar should fade to pink and then to white. They should also have a flatter consistency. Scars remain several months to a year after surgery.
Scars are usually more visible in people with very dark or light skin. Scars may also be more visible if they are exposed to direct sunlight. Be sure to use sunscreen every day.
Breast lifts with incisions around the areola are the easiest to hide. These scars will not show even if you wear a bikini top. Most breast lift scars are also easy to hide with low-cut tops.
In general, horizontal scars made along the breast crease are usually less noticeable than incisions made vertically along the breast.
Will the scars change over time?
Your scars will inevitably change over time as they heal. With proper care, they should continue to fade and soften.
It is also important to avoid behaviors that can worsen the condition of breast lift scars. Avoid the following:
Exfoliation or excessive exfoliation. This is especially true as the wound heals.
Heavy lifting. For the first six weeks after surgery, avoid heavy lifting.
Scratching incisions.
Smoking. It is recommended that you stop smoking at least one month before surgery to reduce complications.
Sunbathing. This will cause the scar tissue to darken and make your scars more visible.
AD
How to care for scars and minimize their appearance
One of the best ways to prevent scarring after a breast lift is to minimize the formation of excess scar tissue. But before trying any home or over-the-counter remedies, consult your surgeon. They can advise you on the best methods and guide you in your care.
Scar massage
Scar massage is exactly what the name implies. In scar massage, the scar is gently massaged in circular motions, both horizontally and vertically. This is believed to help reduce inflammation and pain while increasing collagen fibers to soften the scar.
You can start massaging the scars two weeks after the operation. The massage can be repeated several times a day, usually 10 minutes each time. When the scar has smoothed out and disappeared, massaging will probably no longer be necessary.
Silicone plates or gels for scars
Silicone plates or gels for scars can be used as an over-the-counter remedy.
Silicone patches are silicone bandages that help moisten fresh cuts. In theory, this helps prevent over-drying and excess scar tissue. These dressings can be used to reduce itching and pain immediately after surgery. You can continue to use them until the incisions have healed.
On the other hand, scar gels are over-the-counter silicone-based products that do not come with the dressings. They are used after the incision has healed and for several weeks. The main objective is to reduce the size and color of the scars.
Hugging bandages
Like silicone plates, hugging bandages are silicone-based bandages. They are applied immediately after the surgeon closes the incisions. A wrapping bandage helps pull the edges of the incision together to minimize scar tissue buildup. They are worn every day for 12 months.
Fractional laser
Once the incision has healed completely, professional treatment of the scars that have formed can be considered. Laser treatment can reach the upper (epidermis) and inner (dermis) layers of the skin to reduce pigmentation changes.
However, you will need more than one treatment to achieve the desired results. For optimal results, scar treatment can be performed every two months for a year or more.
Sunscreen
Even if the cuts are not directly exposed, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can penetrate through the T-shirt or bikini top. Using sunscreen can help prevent sun damage from darkening scars.
You can start using sunscreen as soon as the cuts are completely healed. Until then, you should limit your exposure to the sun.
For best results, use sunscreen every day and reapply as needed. Use a sun protection factor of at least 30. Be sure to choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen. These products can protect against most UV rays.
Can scars be removed?
Home visits can help minimize breast lift scars, but they will not disappear completely. Scars may even become more prominent if home or over-the-counter treatments are discontinued.
Your dermatologist may recommend professional scar removal procedures if your breast lift scars are very severe.
Some of these procedures will leave new scars in place of the breast lift scars. In theory, the newly formed scars will be less severe.
A breast lift is likely to result in some scarring, but you should not expect severe scarring.
The best way to prevent serious scarring is to find a surgeon who is experienced in this type of surgery. Trying to save money with someone who is not as experienced may cost you more in the long run. Don’t be afraid to “shop around” until you find the right plastic surgeon.
There are also steps you can take at home to prevent new scars and reduce their appearance. Your surgeon can also give you some tips.
Remember that skin takes time to heal. Incision scars may take a little longer to fade. But if home care measures don’t help and you’re not happy with the way they look, you should see a dermatologist. They can advise you on possible next steps.