Breast Augmentation Scarring: How to Reduce Scars After Breast Surgery

Scarring is a natural part of the healing process following breast augmentation surgeries such as breast enlargement, breast reduction, and breast lifts. While scars can be a concern for many, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to minimise their visibility over time. From surgical techniques to lifestyle choices, you have a range of options to ensure your scars fade as much as possible.

 

How Long Does It Take for Incisions to Heal After Breast Augmentation?

Post-Surgery:

Once incisions are closed during surgery, the initial healing begins. Swelling and bruising are common, and the area will feel tender.

1-2 Weeks:

The incisions start to heal over, and any stitches may be removed if they are not dissolvable. Swelling and bruising should begin to subside.

3-4 Weeks:

The incisions continue to heal, and the scar tissue starts to form. The area may still be slightly swollen or tender, but significant healing progress is made.

6 Weeks:

Most of the initial healing is complete, and patients are often cleared to resume more normal activities, though heavy lifting and strenuous exercise might still be restricted.

Learn more about breast augmentation recovery and exercising after breast surgery.

At What Point Do Scars Become Less Noticeable?

First 1-4 Weeks:

• • Appearance: Scars are typically red, raised, and may feel firm. Swelling and bruising around the area are common.

• • Healing Process: The body is in the initial stages of healing, focusing on closing the incision and beginning to form scar tissue.

4+ Weeks:

• • Appearance: Scars may still be red and raised but should start to flatten and fade slightly. The area might still feel firm.

• • Healing Process: Collagen production continues, and the scar tissue begins to mature.

After 6 Months:

• • Appearance: The incisions should be well-healed, and scars begin to mature, becoming flatter. They may appear pink or light brown, depending on skin tone.

• • Healing Process: The scar tissue continues to remodel and soften.

1 Year+:

• • Appearance: Scars are usually much lighter and flatter, blending more with the surrounding skin. They may still be slightly visible but are generally less noticeable.

• • Healing Process: The scar has matured, and changes in appearance are minimal from this point forward.

Be prepared for full recovery to take anything up to a year. During this time, you will need to care for your new breasts to get the best long-term results. It’s important that you don’t scrub the scars or scratch them if they begin to itch. Gentle, regular self-massage will help produce collagen, allowing the skin to remain as flexible as possible, thus minimising incision marks.

Steps Surgeons Take to Minimise Scarring After Breast Surgery

Before we cover what you can do post-surgery, it’s important to understand how your surgeon, specifically the technique they use, plays a role in reducing scarring after breast surgery. Modern techniques and practices aim to minimise the impact of incisions on your skin:

Strategic Incision Placement

At Enhance Medical, our surgeons place incisions in less noticeable areas, such as the natural crease under the breast, around the areola, or along the armpit. This way, scars are hidden or less visible.

Precision in Suturing

Many surgeons use advanced suturing techniques to close incisions cleanly and securely. These methods can help the skin heal evenly and reduce the chances of prominent scar tissue.

Minimal-Tension Closures

By distributing tension evenly along the incision line, surgeons can lower the risk of thick or raised scars. This ensures the skin doesn’t strain as it heals.

Using Advanced Tools

Laser or other advanced technologies, like adhesives instead of traditional sutures, can also be employed to enhance healing and prevent excessive scarring.

While your surgeon does everything possible to minimise scarring, your role in caring for your scars post-surgery is equally critical.

How to Reduce Scarring After Breast Surgery

Taking care of yourself before and after breast surgery is paramount if you want to get the best results in the long term. Your care plan should fall into three main categories: pre-surgery, immediately post-surgery and ongoing post-surgery.

Your Enhance Medical Group team will give you lots of pre-op advice to help the procedure and recovery process run as smoothly as possible. You will be advised to avoid smoking (traditional and e-cigarettes) as this dehydrates the skin. Breast surgery scars will heal much quicker with hydrated, flexible skin. The more prepared your body is before the operation, the better it will heal afterwards. Certain herbal supplements may not be compatible with the effective healing of incisions. Ibuprofen and aspirin also fall into this category as they can cause thinning of the blood. This can lead to additional bruising and slow down the healing process. Your consultant will discuss this with you and advise alternative supplements and medication if possible.

Follow Your Surgeon’s Instructions

Your surgeon will provide detailed post-operative care instructions. This might include how to clean your incision sites, when to change bandages, and when to start using creams or other scar treatments.

Use the Right Products

After your incisions have fully healed, usually after a few weeks, you can start scar treatments. Some of the most effective products include:

• • Silicone Sheets and Gels – Medical-grade silicone sheets or gels are widely recommended for reducing the appearance of scars. They help keep the area hydrated and flatten raised scars over time.

• • Scar Creams – Look for scar creams that contain proven ingredients like onion extract, vitamin E, or hyaluronic acid. These can improve your skin’s elasticity and promote more uniform healing.

• • Adhesive Strips – Some adhesive strips, such as silicone-based ones, are designed to reduce scar formation. They also provide added protection against irritation from clothing or movement.

Wear Post-Surgery Garments

Post-surgical bras are essential for proper healing. These garments support your breasts, reduce swelling, and take pressure off your incisions. Be sure to wear them exactly as prescribed by your surgeon. A good-fitting, high-quality surgical bra will ensure that your implants are held in position while they heal. It will also minimise movement so that the surgical incisions can heal effectively. This has a significant influence on minimising the appearance of breast surgery scars.

The team at Enhance will be able to point you in the right direction and make sure you are equipped with the information and accessories required to avoid very noticeable incision marks. You can also be confident in the knowledge that the team of surgeons at Enhance have a policy of working towards minimal incisions during every procedure. This ensures that scarring is kept to a minimum.

Massage Your Scars

Once the incision has fully healed, gentle scar massage can help break down thick scar tissue. Regular massaging promotes better circulation and softens the scar over time. Be sure to get your surgeon’s approval before attempting this.

Be Patient With Your Skin

Scars take time to improve. While they might look red or raised in the early months, the vast majority will fade significantly over 6–12 months. Taking consistent steps to care for your scars daily will bring noticeable results.

Lipoelastic Gel for Scar Reduction

For some aftercare programs, it may be advised that you use Lipoelastic gel, a quick-drying silicone gel enriched with vitamin E which is clinically proven and suitable for both new and older scars.

Lipoelastic gel is intended for the reduction and aesthetic improvement of the appearance of scars from surgeries, including breast augmentation. The silicone treatment reduces redness and itching and helps to prevent abnormal healing and the formation of enlarged raised scars.

LIPOELASTIC Silicone gel® Just £19.90

 

Lifestyle Tips for Healing and Scar Reduction After Breast Surgery

Before your surgery the consulting team will have given you plenty of tips and advice to allow for the most comfortable and smooth recovery possible. Don’t expect to be up and about straight away. The best way to ensure an effective recovery is to be patient and careful.

• • • Stay Hydrated and Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet – Proper healing begins from the inside out. A diet rich in protein, collagen, vitamin C, and zinc helps your skin repair itself faster and more effectively.

• • • Protect Scars from the Sun – Sun exposure can darken scars, making them more noticeable. Always apply a strong sunscreen (SPF 30+ or higher) or keep the area covered with clothing if you’re outdoors. Once you have attended your follow-up appointments after surgery, you may be advised to apply topical creams or other products to ensure the skin remains moisturised and can heal effectively.

• • • Avoid Smoking and Alcohol – Smoking slows your body’s ability to heal by restricting blood flow, while alcohol dehydrates your skin and delays recovery. Steering clear of these allows your scars to heal better.

• • • Avoid Excess Stretching or Pulling – During the healing period, be mindful of movements that could stretch the incision area. Heavy lifting or intense upper body exercises can pull on scars and make them more pronounced. It’s usually suggested that you don’t engage in such activities for six to twelve weeks.

Can There Be Complications of Breast Surgery Scars?

Common scarring complications after breast surgery can include:

• • • Hypertrophic Scars: These are raised, red scars that remain within the boundaries of the original incision. They may improve over time but can be itchy or uncomfortable.

• • • Keloid Scars: These are thick, raised scars that extend beyond the original incision site. Keloids can be more common in individuals with darker skin tones and may require treatment to reduce their appearance.

When Should You Seek Help?

Whilst it’s normal to experience tenderness, swelling and itchiness around your incision area following a breast augmentation, if your scars appear raised, thick, or extremely itchy after surgery, you may be dealing with hypertrophic scars or keloids. These conditions require intervention from a dermatologist or your surgeon.

Breast Surgery with Enhance Medical

Remember, scarring is an unavoidable aspect of any surgery. Your age, skin tone and genetics will play a part in how scars heal and how noticeable they will be when you fully recover. However, following some simple steps before and after your procedure can also have a distinct influence on the end result.

At Enhance Medical Group, we are sympathetic and understanding of your concerns regarding recovery and scarring following breast augmentation. We have 20+ years of experience and a wealth of knowledge to help reassure you. Not to mention a contingent of ‘been there, done that’ experts in the form of the Enhance Boob Buddies. They speak from experience; they are honest, and most of all, they are delighted when they get the opportunity to share their story and to offer advice and guidance. So, when you want to know about the possibility of breast surgery scars, or maybe you want advice on how to soften scar tissue after breast surgery, you need only ask.

From your initial consultation through to the end of the recovery process, you will never feel alone. Don’t be afraid to ask questions; get all the information you need, and your journey should be smooth and straightforward all the way with Enhance Medical.