2 Things You Need to Know If You’re Worried About Scarring After Breast Surgery <TIP>

“The results look great, but what if a scar is left behind?”

Many people considering breast surgery

are more worried about this than you might expect.

Posts about scar worries are easy to find

in plastic surgery communities.

Getting the shape you want is important,

but having a scar as the price to pay

is a burden of its own.

When you wear a swimsuit in summer,

when you change at a bathhouse or in a fitting room,

or when you stand in front of someone close to you,

the thought “What if it shows?” keeps nagging at you,

so many people end up putting off their decision.

Especially if your skin tends to scar easily,

or if even a small wound took a long time to fade in the past,

your worries are bound to be greater.

But there is one thing

I really want you to know.

Scarring isn’t determined by your constitution or luck alone.

Even with an incision in the same spot,

one person’s scar may fade to nearly invisible within a few months,

while another’s stays red and thick even as time passes.

So where does this difference come from?

Today, I’ll walk you through

what to check to reduce scarring after breast surgery.

1. Scarring Is Determined Right from the Surgical Stage

To be honest,

any surgery that involves an incision

cannot avoid leaving a scar entirely.

But whether a scar stays noticeable or heals to be barely visible

can differ depending on decisions made at the surgical stage.

“The smaller the incision, the smaller the wound that needs to heal.”

A scar is the mark left behind

as damaged skin knits back together.

So the longer the incision,

the more surrounding tissue gets damaged in the process,

and the more likely the scar is to become larger.

Even for the same kind of wound,

a 5 cm cut takes longer to fade than a 1 cm cut.

That’s why, when planning surgery,

it’s important to keep the incision to the minimum necessary.

“But if the incision is small,

is the implant still okay?”

You might be wondering about this next.

“What if the implant gets damaged or the wound opens up even more while it’s forced through a narrow gap?”

In fact, when an implant is pushed in by hand

through a narrow incision,

strong friction builds up between the implant’s surface and the skin.

Because of this friction, the implant’s outer surface

can be microscopically damaged,

and the skin around the incision can be rubbed and stretched,

which can actually make the scar bigger.

A tool that helps reduce this problem

is the Keller funnel.

It looks like a piping bag:

a funnel-shaped tool.

The implant is placed inside the funnel

and guided through the narrow opening

so it slides in smoothly.

This reduces friction,

so the implant can be inserted gently

even through a small incision.

This lowers the risk of damaging the implant

and of trauma to the incision site, as well.

So if you’ve heard, “You don’t need to worry about scars,”

ask about the specifics:

how they plan the incision,

and how they insert the implant.

The clearer the answers are,

the more trust you can place

in what they’re telling you.

2. Scarring Is Decided Once More During Recovery

Just because the surgery went well

doesn’t mean scar care is over.

I’ve noticed many people think,

“I’ll just put on some ointment and a Medifoam patch, and that should do it”^^;;

An incision for breast surgery is a deeper wound than you might think.

Unlike everyday scratches that only graze the skin’s surface,

the cut goes through the dermis and into the tissue beneath, then gets stitched closed.

Once the wound heals, the scar goes through a period

where it stays red and firm for a while.

During this time, the body produces a lot of collagen

to fill in the wound.

If too much collagen builds up,

the scar may become thick and raised,

its redness may linger for a long time,

and it becomes more likely to turn into a noticeable scar.

This process usually takes several months

and can last nearly a year.

Self-care alone, such as ointment or tape,

may have its limits when it comes to managing this process.

That’s why early care matters.

Before the scar settles,

in other words, while it’s still changing,

starting care is more likely to show results.

For example, laser treatment can help calm redness

and regulate excess collagen buildup.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help reduce swelling in the early recovery period,

and skin boosters that support skin regeneration can be used together

to create a better recovery environment.

Of course, this kind of care is not a must for everyone.

That said, if you’re especially worried about scarring,

or your skin tends to scar easily,

it’s worth checking in advance how and for how long post-surgery scar care is provided.

In conclusion, scarring after breast surgery

is not something to leave to chance.

1) At the surgical stage,

keep the incision as small as necessary and insert the implant gently

to reduce the wound itself.

2) During recovery,

manage the scar systematically before it settles.

When these two are done together,

the burden of scarring can be greatly reduced.

I hope what I covered today has been helpful,

and that’s all for now.

Thank you for reading this long post.

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This post was written directly by Amorata Plastic Surgery Clinic

in compliance with Article 56 of the Medical Service Act

for the purpose of providing accurate medical information.

All treatments and surgeries can cause side effects, big or small, depending on the individual,

so please make a careful decision after thorough consultation with your medical team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be no scarring at all after breast surgery?

No. Any surgery that involves an incision cannot avoid leaving a scar entirely. However, whether a scar ends up noticeable or barely visible can depend on the surgical stage and how recovery is managed.

Is scarring determined by constitution or luck?

No. Scarring is not determined by constitution or luck alone. Even with an incision in the same spot, one person’s scar may fade to nearly invisible within a few months, while another’s may stay red and thick even after a long time.

What should be checked at the surgical stage to reduce scarring?

It’s important to check whether the incision is kept to the minimum necessary and how the implant is inserted. The article explains that the smaller the incision, the smaller the wound to heal, and that inserting the implant with a Keller funnel to reduce friction can lower both the risk of wounding and the risk of damaging the implant.

How long does it take for a scar to settle?

The process usually takes several months and can last nearly a year. After the wound heals, the scar goes through a period of staying red and firm. If too much collagen builds up during this time, the scar can become thick and raised, and its redness may linger.

Is scar care necessary for everyone?

It’s not essential for everyone, but if you’re especially worried about scarring or your skin tends to scar easily, it’s worth checking in advance. Ask how and for how long post-surgery scar care is provided.

What early scar care methods are mentioned?

Examples include laser treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and skin boosters. Laser treatment can help calm redness and regulate excess collagen buildup, while hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be used to reduce swelling in the early recovery period. Such care is not essential for everyone, but starting before the scar settles makes it easier to see results.