How Long Does It Take Breast Lift Scars To Go Away?

Whenever a surgeon makes an incision, a scar is inevitable—and that’s true with breast lift surgery, too. The good news is that breast lift scars will fade with time, and you can minimize their appearance by taking good care of your incision site. Although each patient heals at their own pace, this post provides a timeline showing the evolution of breast lift scars.

What Is a Breast Lift?

A breast lift raises and reshapes sagging breasts. Aging, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and weight loss can all affect the elasticity of the breast skin and cause breast tissue to droop.

Breast Lift Incisions

Different incision patterns can be used for breast lifts. The exact pattern depends on the patient’s breast size and the extent of sagging (ptosis). The most common breast lift incision patterns are:

Donut hole incision: Patients with minimal breast sagging may be good candidates for this technique. A donut hole (periareolar incision) encircles the areolae, the dark skin surrounding the nipples.

Lollipop incision: This involves making an incision around the areola and a second incision extending down the middle of the breast to the crease. It results in a lollipop or keyhole pattern.

Anchor incision: For patients with larger breasts and significant sagging, a horizontal incision along the underside of the breast is added to the lollipop incision to allow for more breast tissue repositioning.

Breast Lift Before and After Photos

Breast lift patients who want to increase the size of their breasts combine the procedure with breast implants. Breast augmentation combined with mastopexy (breast lift) doesn’t necessarily require additional incisions.

Breast Lift With Augmentation Before and After Photos

Healing Stages of Breast Lift Incisions

Initial Healing Phase (1-2 weeks)

Incisions begin to close and heal during the first 2 weeks after surgery. During this time, it’s crucial to keep the area clean and avoid submerging the incisions in water. Patients may experience some discomfort and notice redness around the incision sites.

Early Recovery (3-4 weeks)

At 3 weeks, scars are still fresh and may appear dark, raised, and firm to the touch. Swelling and itchiness around the incision sites are common during this stage. By this time, we have already initiated our scar protocol, which begins at two weeks post-op and includes the application of scar recovery gel to promote optimal healing. Proper care, such as keeping the area clean and moisturized, remains essential throughout this period.

Intermediate Stage (1-3 months)

By the 3-month mark, scars start to fade and flatten, becoming less noticeable. The color begins to change to a shade that’s closer to your natural skin tone, although it’s probably still visible. You can start using silicone-based scar gels and gentle massage techniques to aid the healing process.

Breast Lift Scars After 6 Months

Six months after your surgery, your scars continue to improve. They should begin to fade further and become less prominent. The contrast between your scar and natural skin color decreases, and the texture becomes smoother as the skin produces more collagen. Sun protection is crucial at this stage to prevent scars from darkening.

Long-term Healing (1-2 years)

Significant healing occurs by the one-year mark. Scars become less visible and blend more with the surrounding skin tone. The firmness reduces considerably, and patients might notice a slight indentation where the incisions were made.

Scars may take 2 years to mature fully. During this time, they continue to fade and improve in appearance. Most patients find that their scars are much less noticeable after this period, often presenting as thin lines.

Are Breast Reduction Incisions the Same as a Breast Lift?

Breast reduction surgery shares some of the same goals as a breast lift, including reshaping and enhancing breast contours, and their incisions are often very similar. In addition to cosmetic changes, breast reduction surgery also addresses the physical and emotional pain of having overly large breasts. Breast reduction incisions may be more extensive, but they also follow the breast’s natural contours to minimize visible scarring. You can read more about breast reduction and breast lift procedures in an earlier blog post.

Do Breast Lift Scars Go Away?

While breast lift scars don’t completely disappear, you can minimize their appearance with proper care and patience. Factors such as skin type, genetics, age, overall health, and surgical technique influence scar healing and final appearance. Following postoperative instructions, using recommended scar treatments, and protecting the area from sun exposure can all contribute to optimal scar healing.

Breast lift surgery is a popular procedure, and most patients believe their breasts’ improved shape and position outweigh concerns about scarring. On the RealSelf website, where patients post reviews, breast lift surgery has a 95% “worth it” rating.

Schedule a Consultation

If you’d like to speak with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Craig Colville about your options, we invite you to call our office today at  (419) 534-6551 or request a consultation using the online form. Your comfort, confidence, and health are our utmost priorities.