What Will My Breast Augmentation Scars Look Like?

When considering breast augmentation surgery, one of the most common concerns for potential patients is whether or not the procedure will cause noticeable scarring. Every surgery results in some scarring as your skin undergoes its healing process. However, with an experienced surgeon, breast augmentation scars can be minimal, and can be easily covered up. In this blog post, San Diego plastic surgeon Dr. Carlos Chacon discusses the scarring that can result from breast augmentation surgery.

Different Techniques Result in Different Scars

Depending on the type of breast augmentation surgery you undergo and the technique used by your surgeon, your scars could be in one of four locations. The primary incision points for breast augmentation surgery are listed below:

• Inframammary Incision – The most common and straightforward approach, the inframammary incision is made a few inches below the nipple, leaving a horizontal scar that is hidden in the natural breast fold.
• Periareolar Incision – This incision is made at the edge of the areola (the darkly colored skin around the nipple), usually along the bottom half. Its placement along the areola can make the scar difficult to spot.
• Transaxillary Incision – By placing the incision in the armpit, the scar is almost completely hidden from view.
• Transumbilical Incision – A small incision made on the upper-inside edge of the navel means a small, unnoticeable scar. However, this is a very rare approach and can only be used with saline implants.

Recovery Process

It can take up to 18 months for your scars to fully heal. In that time, you may notice that they appear to worsen before they get better. This is a natural part of the recovery process as your skin produces the scar tissue that helps it heal from surgical incisions. While most patients find that their breast augmentation surgery leaves them with minimal or even unnoticeable scars, every person heals differently. Factors such as genetics, age, sun exposure and skin tone can affect how quickly your body recovers from the surgery.

Minimizing Scarring

There are steps you can take to help your body recover more quickly and minimize the scarring. Keeping your scars out of the sun, eating nutritious food, staying hydrated, and avoiding cigarettes will all speed up the healing process. It is also very important to follow your doctor’s instructions and advice post-operation.

Only a plastic surgeon can help you decide which breast augmentation technique is right for you. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Carlos Chacon, call (858) 633-7546.