Pregnancy, breastfeeding or natural aging can contribute to a sagging breast appearance. Many women often turn to a breast lift to help restore a more youthful and perky appearance. When considering a breast lift, a common concern is scarring and how the breasts will look after the procedure.
Breast lift scarring is different for every woman and depends on individual healing, as well as the type of breast lift your surgeon performs. The good news is, the scars are designed to be completely covered by bras and bathing suit tops so none are visible in clothing. In addition, there are steps you can follow to help minimize breast lift scars during your recovery.
Breast Lift Scarring Depends on the Surgical Technique Required
While every surgeon works to minimize breast lift scarring, the technique required to achieve the desired results matters. Every breast lift is unique to each individual concern, as is the technique your surgeon chooses.
The most common breast lift techniques and their potential for scarring include:
- Anchor Breast Lift – This technique is the top choice for those with a considerable amount of breast sagging. It requires three different incisions: around the outer edge of the areola, vertically from the base of the areola to the breast fold, and horizontally along the breast fold or crease. This technique creates a higher risk of scarring because there are more incisions. However, scars within the breast crease in particular should not be very apparent after the incisions have healed.
- Lollipop Breast Lift – This is the most common lift technique and includes two incisions: one around the areola and one from the base of the areola to the bottom crease. In this case, the possible scarring can resemble a lollipop shape, hence the name. The incision running from the areola to the base of the breast fold is typically the one that most concerns breast lift patients in terms of noticeable scarring risk.
How to Minimize Your Breast Lift Scars
While scarring is near impossible to avoid with a breast lift, there are ways to help minimize your potential scarring. Following your post-op care instructions is essential. This can include the use of scar massage and the application of scar gel. In cases where scars still prominently appear, the use of laser treatments or steroid injections can help minimize their appearance.
If you have questions about breast lifts, potential scarring and which technique will work best for you, contact Dr. Drew Davis online or call the office at 916-318-5770 today.
Author: Dr. Drew Davis
Dr. Drew Davis completed his residency in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center and is proud to be board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. After practicing for many years in the Bay Area, Dr. Davis has chosen private practice in the Sacramento area to allow him to provide the most personal and individualized patient care.
