Breast augmentation mammoplasty scars are an inevitable part of the procedure’s journey. Any surgical procedure that requires incisions will lead to some level of scarring, but with the right care, the visibility of scarring can be kept to a minimum.
In this blog, we’ll go over the ways that breast augmentation mammoplasty scars can be minimised, from surgery preparation through to the recovery and healing process.
How do breast augmentation mammoplasty scars look?
Scars from a breast augmentation mammoplasty will depend on the incision type and placement.
During the procedure, incisions are made for implant insertion. The common types of incisions used are the inframammary incision, the periareolar incision and the transaxillary incision. All of these types of incisions are placed in areas that may help to minimise the visibility of scarring.
An inframammary incision is a horizontal incision made in the fold underneath the breast. The periareolar incision is a circular incision, made around the edge of the areola, where the dark skin of the areola meets the lighter breast skin. A transaxillary incision involves making an incision in the armpit, through which the implants are inserted. It leaves no visible scars on the breast itself but can be more technically challenging and may limit implant size options. Dr Rastogi commonly uses the inframammary incision technique.
The appearance of scars can also depend on genetics, skin type, and each patient’s individual healing capabilities.
Apart from the requirement for incisions and factors that are not necessarily in your control, there are some steps that can be taken to help minimise scarring.
Prepare for your procedure with steps that can minimise scarring
Taking steps to minimise scarring after your breast augmentation mammoplasty can begin in the preparation process.
Properly preparing for your surgery can include following a healthy diet, staying hydrated, avoiding alcohol and temporarily stopping taking blood-thinning medications and supplements.
Usually, your surgeon will instruct you to quit smoking before undergoing your procedure to prevent other complications, as smoking can also impair wound healing. This can mean that your incisions may take longer to heal.
Ensuring good general health before your procedure can mean that you are already supporting your body’s healing process, encouraging your incisions to heal in a timely manner after your surgery.
Scar minimisation with Dr Anoop Rastogi
Choosing a qualified and experienced surgeon to perform your breast augmentation mammoplasty is an absolutely essential first step.
One of the many risks of choosing an under-qualified or inexperienced surgeon is the risk of poor scarring. All surgeries result in scars, but an experienced surgeon such as Dr Rastogi can help minimise their appearance. You can discuss these techniques for scar minimisation with Dr Rastogi during your consultation.
Dr Anoop Rastogi is dedicated to the satisfaction and well-being of his patients. With widespread experience both in Australia and overseas, he aims to provide ample guidance and information for each of his patients while their scars heal and mature. Reach out to Dr Rastogi and his team to discuss any personal concerns or questions you may have.
Follow these steps during your recovery
To help navigate your recovery after a breast augmentation mammoplasty, Dr Rastogi will give you a list of personalised instructions to follow. You’ll need personalised instructions that consider the specific details of your surgery, and any personal health or lifestyle factors that may influence the steps you’ll need to take during recovery.
When it comes to minimising scarring, the particular instructions that you’ll need to focus on will be centred around helping your incisions to heal. You may need to follow certain instructions, such as:
- Keep your incisions dry, and avoid swimming for about four weeks
- Wear a compression garment, which can help the incisions to heal
- Protect your incisions from direct sun exposure when you go outdoors
Applying scar-minimising creams can also help the incisions to heal and minimise scarring. Dr Rastogi will be able to recommend specific scar products to use, and provide you with advice on how often to apply them.
Silicone gel sheets can also help to minimise the visibility of scars. These adhesive sheets can be placed over the scar, applying constant pressure and encouraging skin healing. Silicone gel sheets can be comfortable to wear underneath clothing and can be quite convenient to use. Like with scar creams, Dr Rastogi can recommend how often to wear silicone gel sheets, and you can also follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions.
Once your incisions have fully healed, scar massage techniques can also help to minimise scarring, breaking down the scar tissue in the area. Using specific scar massage techniques can help to promote blood circulation, which can help the skin to heal over time. You can discuss scar massage techniques with Dr Rastogi and learn how to perform them.
Taking care of your general health by following a healthy diet, staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest will also help your body to heal. Essentially, your incisions need to heal efficiently, without any complications (like infections) to minimise scarring as much as possible.
Other scar treatment options after your procedure
If following scar-minimising steps only went so far, and you want to treat visible scarring further, there are some treatment options that may help.
In particular, laser scar therapy can non-invasively treat scarring once incisions have fully healed. Laser treatments work by stimulating collagen and elastin production, which can encourage skin to heal in the treated area, reducing the appearance of scarring over time.
While prevention is better than cure, some level of scarring is still an inevitable part of surgery, but other treatments can still work to minimise scarring at the end of your procedure journey.
Scarring can also naturally fade over time, so it is important to be patient when it comes to your post-surgery scars. Initially appearing more obvious at first, breast augmentation mammoplasty scars can slowly become less visible as the skin naturally heals.
Discuss post-operative care with Dr Rastogi in Double Bay, Sydney
If you want to undergo a breast augmentation mammoplasty but are concerned about visible scarring, we recommend booking a consultation with Dr Rastogi.
As an experienced surgeon, Dr Rastogi can discuss how breast augmentation mammoplasty scars can be minimised, and the steps you can follow to help reduce their visibility.
Contact our team to book your consultation at our Double Bay location!
