How Surgeons Minimize Scarring in Breast Lifts

Why Do Scars Form in the First Place?

Before we get into how plastic surgeons work their magic, it’s important to understand why scars form at all. Scarring is a natural part of the healing process after any type of surgery. When your skin is cut during a surgical procedure, your body jumps into action to repair the damage by creating new collagen fibers.

Depending on the person and the severity of the cut, you can end up with breast lift scarring ranging from thick, raised scars known as hypertrophic scars or keloid scars to thin, barely visible lines.

For breast lifts, the scars’ size and location depend on how much excess skin is removed and the type of incision used during the procedure. The more skin that needs to be removed or lifted, the larger the incisions. More on that in a minute.

The Vertical or “Lollipop” Lift

The incision runs around your areola and down to your breast crease, creating a “lollipop” shape. It’s a popular choice for those women with moderate sagging and allows for more reshaping, though the scar is more noticeable than the donut lift.

The Periareolar or “Donut” Lift

Here, the incision goes all the way around your areola, removing excess skin and tightening the area. Scarring is generally limited to the circle around your areola, making it a solid option for those who want to lift without major scars.

The Crescent Lift

In the crescent lift technique, a small incision is made along the upper half of the areola, where your plastic surgeon removes a crescent-shaped piece of excess skin.

This option is less invasive and has minimal scarring, but it’s generally only used for those with mild sagging. So if you’re looking for something a bit more heavy, this might not be your go-to.

The Benefits of Dissolvable Sutures for Smoother Scars

Many plastic surgeons prefer dissolvable sutures that are placed inside the tissue. These help keep the outer layer of your skin smooth and free from the “track marks” you sometimes see with surface stitches.

Strategic Sutures & Incision Placement to Minimize Scarring

In some cases, plastic surgeons use a combination of sutures and surgical tape to further reduce breast surgery scars.

Finally, surgeons take great care when placing the incisions. The incisions are often hidden along the natural curves and creases of the breasts, like the breast crease, so even if there is some scarring, it won’t be immediately visible.

Surgeons may also take extra time to avoid cutting through too much breast tissue, which can help prevent the formation of more noticeable scar tissue.

What If My Scars Don’t Heal Well?

While most patients will see their breast lift scars fade with time, some may develop hypertrophic or keloid scars. Keloid scars go beyond the incision area and can keep growing over time, while Hypertrophic scars are raised, thick scars that remain within the boundaries of the original incision.

If you’re prone to keloid scars, it’s important to let your plastic surgeon know beforehand, as they may recommend additional useful steps to prevent these scars from forming. Corticosteroid injections can sometimes reduce inflammation and prevent excessive scar tissue buildup.