It’s not uncommon for women who are considering breast surgery to be concerned about scarring after surgery. After all, your goal when having a breast augmentation or a breast lift is to improve the appearance of the breasts. Scars could interfere with that improvement.
While some scarring is to be expected after any surgery and is often unavoidable, there are things you can that can potentially minimize the appearance of them. A talented and experienced surgeon can use certain techniques and incisions to make scars minimally visible after your surgery
The Location of Breast Surgery Scars
Where the scars might be located after surgery depends on the type of procedure you have and the incisions the surgeon makes. For example, when performing a breast lift, Dr. Vitenas typically makes an inverted T incision. It runs vertically down the midline of the breast and encircles the areola. It also runs across the crease under the breast.
During breast augmentation, the preferred location for the incision is usually in the crease beneath the breast. Other incision locations include under the arm and around the nipple. Dr. Vitenas will discuss incision locations with you during the consultation. The one that is most appropriate for you will depend in large part on your goals for the surgery and your anatomy.
Generally speaking, the incisions are made in areas that are out-of-the-way or easy to conceal. For example, scars in the area under the arm or the crease beneath the breasts will usually be pretty easy to cover up.
What Affects the Appearance of Scars
Although scar formation is a natural part of the healing process, there are a few factors that can make scars more prominent and visible. Some people form more prominent scars than others become of skin type and pigmentation.
For example, keloid scars develop when the body produces too much collagen as part of the healing response. The scars continue to grow and are often raised and bumpy. Although anyone can develop keloid scars, they tend to be more common in people who have darker complexions.
How you care for the incision after surgery can also affect the final appearance of the scars. It’s usually recommended that you avoid wearing anything that will press or rub against the incision area immediately after surgery. Dr. Vitena advises against wearing a bra during the first weeks after your breast augmentation. Doing so could put pressure on the incisions, making scars more prominent.
Sun exposure and other lifestyle habits can also affect the appearance of scars after breast surgery. Generally speaking, the area around the breasts is usually covered up by clothing. But if you do decide to go to the beach or spend a day out by the pool after surgery, be sure to cover up the breast area. Applying sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to the area and any other exposed areas of skin is also a good move.
How to Minimize Breast Surgery Scars
While you might not be able to fully prevent the formation of scars after surgery, you can attempt to minimize their appearance. What you do to minimize your scars depends on how far along you are in the healing process and how visible the scars have become.
Early on, some women find that taking preventative steps, such as eating a healthy diet, and drinking plenty of water, helps the body heal after surgery, reducing scarring.
Following any post-surgery instructions from your plastic surgeon will also help to keep scars to a minimum. Dr. Vitenas will provide you with directions on how to clean and care for the incision site and on what to do or not do during the first few weeks after surgery.
You might be able to apply topical creams or ointments to the scars after your incisions have fully healed. Silicone sheets or gel or vitamin E creams might help to reduce the visibility of scarring. Also, remember that the scars will fade over time in many cases.
If you do end up with raised scars or with keloid scars after your surgery, there are in-office treatments that might help. Laser treatment can help to reduce the size of a raised scar, for instance. Some patients also have success with steroid injections into prominent scars. Your plastic surgeon can recommend options to you and help you choose the one that will be the most likely to make your scars less noticeable.
Another thing to remember is that certain habits can make scarring after surgery worse. If you gave up smoking before your breast surgery, continue to avoid it or the use of other tobacco products as your body heals. Smoking can interfere with the healing process and with blood flow, leading to more prominent scarring. When choosing a plastic surgeon for breast augmentation or a breast lift, you want to work with someone who has years of experience and a stellar reputation. Dr. Paul Vitenas has regularly been named one of Houston’s top breast surgeons. He strives to provide patients with natural-looking results and places incisions in such a way that scarring is usually minimal. To learn more about breast surgery and your options, call 281-484-0088 to schedule a consultation today. You can also schedule a virtual consultation.