A common worry among potential breast reduction patients are the scars. Here’s why you don’t need to worry about breast reduction scars with us.
Breast reduction procedures are on the rise in the United States. Breast reduction should not be confused with a breast lift or mastopexy. Both the lift and reduction use similar incisions and subsequent scars however, the lift does NOT reduce the size of the breast, it merely makes the existing breasts “perkier”. In other words, the breast size or volume is the same before and after a lift.
If you are planning to get breast reduction surgery, you may be worried about scars. Unfortunately, breast reduction scars are unavoidable. The good news though is that using the correct surgical techniques can help minimize scarring.
You should also understand your risk factors for scarring before you schedule a breast reduction procedure. Some people are more prone to scars than others.
What factors may increase your risk for breast reduction scarring? And what can you do to help your skin heal after breast reduction surgery? Read on for the answers to these two questions and more.
Types of Breast Reduction Scars
The types of scars you will have after breast reduction surgery depends in part on the technique your cosmetic surgeon uses. There are basically 2 breast reduction techniques: three-incision traditional breast reduction (anchor, keyhole or Weiss), and the “scarless” reduction. The circumstances that decide which option is available to you depends on a number of things, all of which are discussed at the initial evaluation.
Large Scars or Traditional Reduction
This is the oldest and most frequently performed technique. Three incision reductions come with larger scars because the surgeon makes a significant number of incisions which will become scars. The first incision occurs around the areola (360 degrees). The second incision runs from the bottom of the areola to the breast crease below. The third and final incision/scar runs within the inferior breast crease over to the armpit.
No Scars or “Scarless”
In the “scarless” reduction there are only 3 puncture holes positioned around each breast, so technically it is not completely scarless, however the puncture holes are so small they do not require suturing.
Factors That Increase the Risk of Scarring
Most people develop a noticeable scar after breast reduction surgery. However, some scars will be more noticeable than others. Here are the factors that increase your risk of significant scarring after a breast reduction.
Genetics
Most people heal from a breast reduction procedure in 2–6 weeks. However, this is not always the case. After all, genes determine how fast or how slow your skin heals.
For example, some people are genetically predisposed to develop thick, raised scars. Doctors call these scars keloid scars. Other people simply heal with thicker red scars. These are called hypertrophic scars and are similar, but different than keloid scars.
People with genes resulting in dysregulation of the healing process can develop keloid or hypertrophic scars. If you or a family member has raised scars, your odds may increase for post-operative scarring after a breast reduction.
Age
With age, our skin becomes thinner and more susceptible to damage. So, you may be surprised to learn that the older you are, the less severe your breast reduction scars may be.
Scientists have recently discovered that older adults tend to scar less than younger adults. Scientists have not discovered the reason for this phenomenon just yet.
Skin Pigmentation
Another way in which genetics influence scarring is via skin pigmentation. Studies have shown that people of Hispanic, Asian, and African descent have a higher risk for scarring.
Remember how we talked about raised scars, including keloid and hypertrophic scars? There are countless studies showing that the groups we mentioned above experience higher rates of raised scarring than other ethnic groups.
Cosmetic Surgeon Skill
Most highly-skilled cosmetic or plastic surgeons can perform a breast reduction with a lower risk for scarring.
These surgeons know the ideal areas to place incisions to reduce visible scarring. They can also make these incisions tiny and close them with scar-reducing techniques.
At Popp Cosmetic Surgery, our cosmetic surgeon is in good standing with the American Society of Cosmetic Breast Surgery. It is one of the elite organizations in the country for doctors who perform breast reductions.
How to Minimize Scars After Breast Reduction Surgery
In addition to the above factors, following your after-surgery care instructions is critical for minimizing scars. Here are some additional tips for making your scars as minimal as possible.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Gaining weight during recovery can result in more noticeable scars. That is because the extra tissue you gain may cause the scar tissue to spread out, resulting in larger, wider scars.
Focus on Stress Reduction
This tip has to do with the healing process. Stress can compromise your body’s ability to heal. So, practice stress reduction techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, and yoga.
Quit Smoking Tobacco
Tobacco products and cigarette smoke can also compromise the healing process. To avoid slowing down your body’s natural healing processes, try to avoid smoking and using tobacco until you have recovered.
Avoid UV Light
UV light increases skin pigmentation. The same is true of scars—if you expose your scars to UV light from the sun or a tanning bed, your scars can get darker and more visible.
Schedule Your Breast Reduction Procedure at Popp Cosmetic Surgery in Omaha
Scars are an unfortunate side effect of breast reduction surgery. Some people may be more prone to scarring than others. But the good news is that if you follow the above tips you can minimize potential scarring.
Are you searching for a skilled breast reduction surgeon in Omaha, NE? Dr. Jeffrey Popp is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has performed hundreds of breast reduction surgeries. Book an appointment online or give us a call at (402) 391-4558 to book your appointment today!
