6 Things You Should Know About Breast Lift Scars

If you’re considering a breast lift (mastopexy) to restore sagging breasts, it’s natural to have questions about the healing and recovery process. One of the most common concerns among breast lift patients is what their healed breast lift scars will look like. Let’s walk through what to expect after surgery based on the different types of breast lifts I perform.

1. Breast Lift Scars Won’t Overshadow Your Results

Some people hesitate to have a breast lift because they’re concerned about scarring. As you can see in my patients’ before-and-after photos below, the results outshine the scars.

2. Your Scars Will Depend on Your Incision Type

While I place your incisions in inconspicuous locations, scars are an inevitable part of the surgical process. What your scars look like after a breast lift depends on the technique I use:

• Crescent Breast Lift: A crescent, moon-shaped incision around the upper areola
• Donut Breast Lift: A circular incision around the areola
• Lollipop Breast Lift: An incision around the areola that extends vertically down
• Anchor Breast Lift: An incision around the areola that extends down with the addition of a horizontal incision along the breast crease

The extent of scarring may also depend on whether you combine your breast lift with additional procedures such as breast augmentation or breast reduction.

After discussing your goals and examining you, I’ll determine the best surgical method to accomplish your desired results with as little scarring as possible. It often comes down to factors such as your degree of sagging, your breast size, and your body frame.

3. Breast Lift Scars Change Over Time

Breast lift scars don’t stay the same forever—they go through several stages of healing before they gradually fade.

• Immediately after surgery, your scars will look “fresh” and appear reddish to purplish and raised.
• Between 6 weeks to 6 months, your breast lift scars will flatten and appear more muted in color.
• By about a year post-op, your healed breast lift scars significantly fade and become thinner.

Eventually, your scars should blend more with your natural skin tone and be much less conspicuous.

4. Scar Care Matters

Diligent aftercare helps minimize breast lift scarring, and I’ll give you detailed post-op instructions for properly caring for your incisions. They include keeping your incision sites clean and dry, wearing a supportive bra, and practicing healthy lifestyle habits such as staying hydrated and eating nutritious foods. Many patients also benefit from using scar creams, silicone sheets, or gels once their incisions have healed.

5. Each Patient’s Scarring Varies

It’s important to remember that individual factors impact the extent of your scarring. For example, varying skin types, genetics, and how well you care for your scars affect how they heal. Some people may have scars that fade to be barely noticeable, while others may have more visible marks. Of course, choosing a highly qualified surgeon with meticulous techniques helps reduce the risk of prominent scarring.

6. Perky Breasts Outweigh Permanent Scars

While some scarring is inevitable after any surgery, it’s essential to stay focused on your motivation for pursuing a breast lift: achieving youthful, perky breasts! Most patients find that the benefits of a breast lift—improved shape, position, and confidence—far outweigh any concerns about scarring. Breast lift patients give the procedure an impressive 95% “Worth It” rating on RealSelf.

Schedule Your Breast Lift Consultation

If you’re ready to learn more about breast lift recovery and my techniques to minimize scarring, I encourage you to read my related blog post, which contains more helpful details. Then, request a consultation using the online form or call our practice at (210) 942-6672 to make an appointment.