Boob Job Scars: What to Expect

What boob job scars can I expect?

For women who are considering breast surgery, they often have concerns about boob job scars. Having breast augmentation surgery is a big decision to take but it remains the most popular cosmetic procedure that is carried out in the UK.

Date: 12th May 2021

What breast augmentation scars can I expect?

For women who are considering breast surgery, they often have concerns about boob job scars. Having cosmetic surgery to enlarge small breasts is a big decision to take but it remains the most popular cosmetic procedure that is carried out in the UK.

For women, the results of this surgery can be life-changing. The emotional and mental impact of being unhappy with the appearance of breasts can not be underestimated and surgery sees a welcome end to these feelings.

While surgery will improve the appearance of breasts, women do not then want to think that they will be left with significant breast augmentation scars. The presence of extreme scarring would perhaps undo the positive results achieved from the surgery in the first place and so it is understandable that reassurances will be sought prior to the procedure taking place. We are going to take a look at the issue of boob job scars so that you are fully informed before going ahead with any surgery.

Do boob job scars go away?

Boob job scars do not completely disappear, but with time, good care, and realistic expectations, they can fade and become less apparent.

The healing process for breast augmentation scars can take several months to a year or more, but by following post-operative instructions, avoiding sun exposure, and considering scar treatments, you can help minimise the presence of scars and obtain a subtle outcome.

Regular follow-up meetings with your surgeon are also recommended to ensure proper monitoring and guidance during the healing process.

What do breast enlargement and augmentation scars look like?

When breast enlargement surgery is carried out it involves thin incisions being made in the skin. The incisions are kept as small as possible and tend to be made underneath the breast or, in some instances, near the areola. As the incisions begin to heal they will appear red and will be raised above the surrounding skin. As the healing process continues the colour of these scars will change to pink. In time, breast augmentation scars should turn white and the texture should also change. They should no longer be raised and instead should be flat against the skin.

Given the location of the incisions, any boob job scars are not in prominent places that are easily visible. Scarring near the areola is easily concealed simply by wearing a bra and scars underneath the breast are generally hidden by clothing.

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How can I prevent boob job scars?

As the incisions made during breast surgery are minimal and are particularly thin, there should not be any excessive scarring. However, given that a boob job is a surgical procedure, a degree of scarring should be expected.

To a degree, the extent of any breast augmentation scars is down to the surgeon carrying out the surgery. This is why you should only have this procedure carried out in a reputable clinic with expert surgeons.

There are a few actions that you can take following the surgery to reduce the appearance of scars. These include:

Follow all post-operative instructions

It is critical to carefully follow your surgeon's precise post-operative care instructions. These recommendations may include wound care measures such as keeping the incision site clean and dry, changing dressings as instructed, and using any prescribed ointments or lotions. Your Cadogan Clinic surgeon will discuss all of these with you following your procedure.

Gently massage the area after surgeon approval

Once your surgeon has given you the go-ahead, you can gently massage the incision area with a moderate, hypoallergenic moisturiser. Massage can assist increase blood circulation, break down scar tissue, and improve scar appearance over time. Talk with your surgeon before beginning scar massage to ensure that it is appropriate for your individual circumstance.

Avoid sun exposure

It is critical to protect your incision areas from direct sunlight during the healing process. Scars can deepen and become more visible as a result of sun exposure. When going outside, wear clothing that covers the incision or use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF.

Avoid heavy lifting

You should avoid any heavy lifting in line with the timescales given by your surgeon. Ignoring this could lead to wounds reopening and this could cause worse scarring.

Avoid exfoliating your skin

While exfoliating your skin is usually considered good for its overall condition it is important not to do this near your scars. Likewise, excessive scrubbing in the area of the scars should be avoided.

Avoid tanning

This doesn’t mean that you can never have a suntan again, but certainly, while you are healing tanning will make the appearance of any scars more obvious to the eye. It could also hinder the healing of your new skin cells over the scar tissue.

Can I have a boob job without scars?

While it's normal to want a breast augmentation with no visible scars, it's crucial to recognise that any surgical surgery that involves incisions will result in some scarring.

Skilled surgeons strive to minimise boob job scarring by making small incisions in discrete locations, and scars can be greatly reduced in appearance over time with realistic expectations and adequate post-operative care. Choosing a reputable clinic with competent surgeons, such as Cadogan Clinic, is critical for attaining the best outcomes with minimal scarring.

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How long does it take for breast augmentation scars to heal?

The healing time for breast augmentation scars can vary from person to person and may be affected by lifestyle choices such as aftercare or sun exposure. The initial healing process can take up to 6-8 weeks, at which points the scars are likely to be red or pink and still a little raised. Eventually, the scars may fade to smoother lines and look similar to your regular breast tissue. In some cases, they may appear to be thin, pale, or silvery lines on the skin, but many agree they are not noticable. Complete scar maturation can take up to 12-18 months, depending on the individual.

It is critical to follow your surgeon's post-operative care recommendations and attend any follow-up consultations to ensure proper healing and to monitor the progression of your augmentation scars.

How can I help my boob job scars fade?

Your surgeon will ensure that you are aware of actions that you can take to help your boob job scars fade. However, If you are concerned about the appearance of your scars, you can explore further scar treatments which may aid in softening and flattening the scars, diminishing their visibility.

Some of our most popular scar management procedures include:

Intense pulsed light (IPL)

LED light therapy, specifically blue light therapy, has been demonstrated to improve scar treatment. When blue light is applied to the skin, it interacts with cells, stimulating them to make new collagen and elastin. These two components are necessary for skin repair and can help to reduce scarring. LED light treatment can be a beneficial addition to scar care regimes, assisting in the enhancement of the skin's natural healing process and improving the appearance of boob job scarring.

Scar revision surgery

This is a procedure that aims to reduce the appearance of scars and is an effective option for scars anywhere on the face or body.

ICON Fractional laser treatment

The ICON Fractional laser is a cutting-edge laser treatment that addresses scar maturation. It is especially good at reducing redness, shrinking scars, and addressing surrounding hyperpigmentation around the breast. This powerful laser treatment is frequently favoured by scar management professionals because it can promote optimal scar healing and improve the cosmetic appearance of breast augmentation scars.

Silicone gel or sheets

Silicone gel or sheets are commonly used in breast augmentation scar management and have been demonstrated to be effective in reducing scar visibility. These topical medicines were originally developed for burn management but have now been shown to be beneficial in aiding scar healing. They form a protective barrier over the scar, moisturise the area, and provide sun protection with their SPF, all of which contribute to the scar's overall appearance improving over time.

LED light therapy

Find out more about scar management programmes

While the complete reduction of boob job scarring is not possible, it can fade and become less noticeable over time with proper care and realistic expectations. If you have concerns about your breast augmentation scars, reach out to Cadogan Clinic to explore their scar management programs and receive expert advice. Patience and consistency in scar care can help you achieve the best possible cosmetic outcome from your augmentation surgery.

Treatments mentioned in this article

Scar revision and reduction can surgically or non-surgically improve the appearance of a scar.

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Body Surgery

Scar Revision

Scar revision and reduction can surgically or non-surgically improve the appearance of a scar.

Breast Surgery

Breast Enlargement

Breast enlargement and augmentation aims to cosmetically enhance the size and shape of your breasts.

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