Will There Be Obvious Scarring from A Breast Augmentation Procedure?

Scarring can be a consequence of most surgical procedures, and breast augmentation is no exception. Tissue cells are disturbed whenever a surgeon makes an incision into the body. Although every breast augmentation is no exception to this rule, the good news is that most women do not experience visibly significant scarring. There are several things that patients can do to help reduce scarring.

Scarring is a response to trauma to the skin, and the human body naturally produces the protein collagen that acts to repair the cells and surrounding tissues. The formation of collagen is a natural part of the healing process, it can result in visible scars, and the more the tissue is disturbed, the longer it takes to heal. Other factors that can affect the extent of scarring include genetics, age, skin tone, and the location and incision patterns on the body.

How Can Scarring Be Minimized?

A patient’s body type, personal preferences, and implant type and size often determine the surgeon’s incision site. If any, scarring is most noticeable during the first few months of recovery, and over several months, scars will begin to fade. There are several ways patients can reduce the appearance of scars following breast augmentation surgery, and these can include:

• Vitamin E supplements
• Cortisone creams
• Silicone-based bandages or sheets
• Eating a balanced diet and keeping hydrated during recovery
• Following the plastic surgeon’s recommendations after surgery
• Pressure bandages
• Avoiding smoking
• Wear sunscreen and keeping out of the sun

If topical treatments above are unsuccessful, other options include:

• Surgical revision
• Microdermabrasion
• Laser scar removal

Where Are Breast Augmentation Typically Scars Located?

Depending on where the surgeon makes the incisions, that determines the location of breast implant scars. There are several types of incisions based on patient requirements and, when done in the right location, the scars can become imperceptible.

Inframammary Incision

This technique involves two incisions that run along the natural curve underneath the breasts, made into the fold where the breast’s lower part attaches to the chest wall. The surgeon then places an implant below or above the muscle. With this method, scars are typically thin, about one to two inches long, and are be easily hidden beneath a bikini top. With this technique, since the incisions are made horizontally along the breasts’ crease, they are less noticeable than incisions made vertically and on the breasts.

Periareolar Incision

This approach employs an incision along the border of the areola, creating a pocket for the implant. Scarring with this method varies from patient to patient, but this type of incision usually blends nicely with the areolar border’s pigmented edge.

Transaxillary Incision

This incision is made in the underarm area, so there will be little to no scarring at all on the breasts. The surgical area is typically small, about one inch, often hidden within the armpit’s depth. For this reason, scarring is hardly noticeable since the surgical site is inside the armpit, and there are no direct incisions made into the breasts.

What Will Breast Augmentation Scars Look Like?

During the recovery process, it’s important to remember that scars can take up to twelve months or longer to heal fully, so it may seem that the scars may never disappear. At first, most breast augmentation scars may appear red or pinkish, and the skin may be slightly inflamed until the scars begin to heal and become less noticeable over time. The scars healing rate can also depend on the patient’s age, genetics, skin tone, and sun exposure.

There may be scarring from a breast augmentation procedure, but it will not be evident in most cases. There are also steps patients can take at home to reduce the appearance of scars, and the right plastic surgeon can always offer recommendations.