Women considering breast lift surgery are understandably concerned about what their scars will look like after the procedure. Although scarring is an inevitable part of any surgery, our surgeons use a short-scar breast lift technique that minimizes scar appearance.
Benefits of Short-Scar Breast Lift
The extent of breast lift scarring depends on the incision pattern used by the plastic surgeons. One of the reasons so many women choose The Wall Center for a breast lift or a breast lift with implants is the short-scar technique our surgeons use for nearly all mastopexy procedures.
Scars Are 70% Shorter
The short-scar technique involves making an incision around the areola and then a vertical incision down the underside of the breast. Because this “lollipop” pattern doesn’t require a horizontal incision along the breast crease, the scars are often 70% shorter than those seen with traditional inverted T or anchor-shaped breast lift incisions. It also results in a more attractive breast shape than a traditional lift.
Low Complication Rate
Dr. Simeon Wall Jr. and Dr. Holly Casey Wall often combine the short-scar lift with breast implants, a procedure called mastopexy augmentation. They co-authored the world’s largest study on the procedure, which appeared in the June 2023 issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Among other findings, the study demonstrated that our surgeons produce the lowest procedure complication rate and have the lowest re-operative rate ever published.
Minimizing Scarring
There is no such thing as a breast lift without scars, but our surgeons use their expertise to minimize the appearance of scars in multiple other ways besides using shorter incisions. Their methods include:
- Precise incision placement to follow natural skin lines
- Careful closure techniques to reduce tension on the wound
- Use of dissolvable sutures to avoid stitch marks
- Recommending postoperative scar care treatments, such as silicone sheets or scar gels
As you can see in these breast lift before-and-after photos, scarring is minimal when a skilled plastic surgeon performs the procedure.
Caring for Your Scars
In addition to the techniques our plastic surgeons use, you can help minimize the appearance of scarring after a breast lift by taking the following actions:
- Carefully following our breast lift postoperative instructions
- Keeping incisions clean and protected
- Using recommended scar treatments
- Avoiding sun exposure on healing scars
In addition to these tips, staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet also support healing. And if you smoke or vape, it’s a great time to quit because those habits impair wound healing.
Breast Lift Healing Timeline
It’s important to note that everyone’s healing process is unique. Some people may see their scars continue to improve even after the one-year mark, while others might have more noticeable scarring.
In general, here’s what you can expect after your breast lift:
First 3 weeks: Initially, incisions will be red or pink and may be slightly raised. There might be some bruising and swelling around the incision sites.
1-3 months: Scars remain pink but start to flatten. As they heal, the skin may feel itchy or tight.
3-6 months: Scars begin softening and fading, typically turning a lighter pink or red.
6-12 Months: Most scars continue to improve, becoming less noticeable as they mature.
1 year after surgery: When healed one year after a breast lift, scars will have faded significantly. Even if they don’t disappear completely, they should have faded significantly. Most patients find their scars are thin and flat, blending well with their surrounding skin tone. Many see continued improvement even after a year.
Are the Results Worth the Potential Scars?
Most women find scars more than worth the trade-off for having a perkier, more youthful-looking breast shape. In fact, the popularity of breast lift surgery has consistently increased during the past decade, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of breast lift procedures performed in 2023 increased by 7% compared to 2022, making it the 4th most popular cosmetic plastic surgery in 2023.
Take the Next Step
The best way to minimize scarring after a breast lift is to choose an experienced, talented plastic surgeon who specializes in breast surgery. You can meet with one of the board-certified plastic surgeons at The Wall Center by requesting a consultation using the online form or by calling us at (318) 795-0801.
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