How long does it take breast augmentation scars to heal

• At our clinic, scars that develop after breast augmentation surgery will be in the armpit crease
• Scars initially appear as red and raised, but will flatten and fade over several months
• You can proactively reduce the appearance of these scars by applying scar creams and by avoiding sun exposure
• If you are unsatisfied with their appearance after they have completely healed, we can treat scars with either wound revision or laser treatments

Scarring is a common aesthetic concern with breast augmentation surgery, as with any surgical procedure. While some scarring is inevitable, with the right techniques and aftercare, it can be greatly reduced. When you undergo treatment at our plastic surgery clinic, Advanced Cosmetic Surgery, your breast augmentation scars will be very small and easy to conceal.

Below, we have compiled information on how long your scars will take to fade, and some steps you can take to support and accelerate the process. If after reading you still have questions or concerns, schedule a consultation with us, and let us put your mind at ease.

Where Will Your Scars Be Located?

Our clinic performs a type of breast augmentation surgery known as transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation. This involves creating a small incision in the armpit area, known as a transaxillary incision, and inserting implants through this incision and into the breast pocket.

Any scarring caused by this procedure will be located solely in the armpit crease; there will be no scarring on the breasts. The incisions left by this procedure are typically 1.5–2.5 inches long, and very easy to conceal.

Other types of breast implant surgery incisions include periareolar incisions—which are made around the areola— and inframammary incisions, which are made in the crease below the breast.

What Will Your Scars Look Like?

Scars left by breast augmentation incisions will first appear raised and red in color. With time, they will flatten and fade to a slightly paler color than your natural skin tone.

If you have pale skin, your scars will be very noticeable at first but will fade significantly once they heal. If you have dark skin, your scars will be less visible at first, but will stand out slightly more once healed. You will also be more prone to developing hyperpigmentation over the course of the healing process.

Breast Augmentation Scar Healing Timeline

The rate at which scars heal varies greatly from person to person. However, as a general rule, if you avoid straining yourself and exercise proper aftercare, they will flatten out and fade from red to pink after about 2–3 months. After 6–12 months, your scars will be completely healed. At this stage, they will be very thin and faint.

Will the Scars Ever Go Away?

Although breast implant scars will smooth out and fade over time, they will likely not disappear completely. That being said, there are steps you can take to help ensure they fade as much as possible.

Do’s

To support the healing process, we will provide you with two types of scar cream. The first has an occlusive effect, and will create a seal over your scars to lock in moisture, protect against bacteria and reduce scar tissue. The second is a silicone cream that will reduce redness and prevent both hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation.

Starting 1 week after your procedure, apply both creams to your scars daily; continue to do so for 2 months. These creams will help keep the scars moist and pliable, which is integral to the healing process.

Another step you can take is to gently massage your implants using circular motions several times a day, for 10 minutes at a time. This will help reduce accumulated collagen at the surgical site to allow the scar to rest at a flatter position on skin. 

Don’ts

The following are some things to avoid in order to ensure your scars do not become darker or more pronounced with time. Do not:

• Expose your scars to sunlight; if unavoidable, apply sunscreen
• Aggressively scrub or exfoliate your scarred area when washing
• Raise your arms above your shoulders for 3–4 weeks after your surgery
• Lift anything heavier than 5 pounds for 4 weeks after your surgery
• Scratch at your incisions while they are healing
• Apply vitamin E cream to your scars, as this can worsen their appearance
• Smoke for an entire month prior to your procedure, and until your scars have fully healed

Breast Augmentation Scar Treatments

Although it is rare, some breast augmentation patients may be dissatisfied with the final appearance of their scars at the one-year mark, and may wish to have them treated.

In such cases, we usually revise the incision; this involves making an incision over the scar, removing excess scar tissue and stitching the wound closed for a less noticeable appearance.

If there’s an irregularity in the scar’s contour, wound revision will not be possible – in such cases, we will treat it with laser resurfacing. We can also use laser surgery to revise any hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation that may develop around a scar.

Takeaway

Scars that develop after breast augmentation surgery performed at our clinic will be in the armpit crease and will fade over the course of 6–12 months. Scar massages, vigilant sun protection and carefully following your plastic surgeon’s postoperative instructions will help ensure your scars heal properly.

Avoid tobacco products, heavy lifting and scratching at incisions to further support scar healing. If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your scars after 12 months, we can either revise your incision or perform laser treatments to reduce their appearance.

For more personalized aftercare tips, and any other questions you may have about breast augmentation recovery, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is committed to bringing you beautiful results, and ensuring that both your procedure and healing process are as comfortable as possible.

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