Scarless Breast Reduction: Myth or True

Dr Craig Rubinstein - MBBS, FRACS (Plast)

When performing a breast reduction, experienced plastic surgeons will always try to minimise scarring where possible, but some scars can inevitably become visible.

While a scarless breast reduction may be a myth, there are steps you can take after your surgery to help scars fade. Some post-surgery treatments, when performed with advanced technology, can even make scars become barely noticeable over time.

In this blog, we’ll explain what scars after a breast reduction can look like and how their visibility can be minimised. We’ll also discuss the importance of selecting an experienced plastic surgeon when it comes to minimising scars after surgery.

How will scarring look after a breast reduction?

The appearance of scars after a breast reduction will depend on the incision type and placement used. The incisions will then depend on how the procedure will be performed.

A breast reduction involves removing excess tissue and can sometimes include repositioning the nipple. Common incision patterns include the anchor, peri-areolar, and LeJour incision or lollipop technique.

The type of incision that your surgeon will use depends on a variety of factors, such as how much tissue will be removed and if the nipple and areolae will also be repositioned.

The anchor incision pattern has the most incisions. It involves an incision beneath the areola, another incision down the centre of the breast, and a final incision along the inframammary crease. The incision pattern gets its name from the resemblance of an anchor shape that the three incisions make.

The peri-areolar incision, although the smallest pattern, is becoming used less and less over time. As the name suggests, it simply involves a single incision around the areola. Particularly for breast reduction, it has limitations as to how much tissue can be removed.

The LeJour incision, commonly referred to as the lollipop incision, falls in-between the anchor and peri-areolar patterns in terms of the number of incisions and where they are placed. It involves an incision around the areolar, followed by a vertical incision down to the breast crease. Making a lollipop shape, the incision pattern allows for a sufficient amount of tissue removal and skips the third incision that an anchor pattern requires.

Many plastic surgeons prefer to use the LeJour incision, including highly experienced Melbourne-based plastic surgeon Dr Craig Rubinstein. However, the incision type that will be used ultimately depends on the characteristics of your breasts and the level of reduction that will be achieved. The incision type will be determined by your surgeon during the consultation process, before the day of your procedure.

Essentially, the fact that any procedure that involves incisions will cause some level of scarring means that a scarless breast reduction is not necessarily possible, but plastic surgeons will still use techniques and put steps in place to minimise scarring.

How do plastic surgeons minimise scars?

While performing a breast reduction, skilled plastic surgeons can minimise the appearance of scars as much as possible.

Plastic surgeons can use specific scar minimisation methods during the procedure, particularly if they specialise in breast procedures. For example, Dr Rubinstein has undergone decades of training to focus on women’s plastic surgery procedures, particularly breast procedures and abdominoplasty surgery. He has found that the LeJour incision is typically the ideal pattern to use and has the skills needed to perform drain-free procedures.

This highlights the importance of choosing an experienced plastic surgeon to perform your breast reduction procedure. Choosing the right plastic surgeon not only ensures that you will have a high level of care throughout the procedure process but can help you minimise visible scarring.

How can scars be minimised during recovery?

While it can come down to your surgeon’s skills and the type of incision used, part of reducing the appearance of breast reduction scars will depend on how well you care for your incisions.

Making sure that the incisions heal well and without complications will help to minimise the visibility of your scars. To help you follow the most effective wound-care steps, your surgeon will give you detailed recovery instructions.

You’ll generally need to keep the incision sites clean, dry and free from irritation. You may need to replace bandages and avoid submerging the area in water early in recovery. Normally, you’ll have follow-up appointments with your surgeon or your surgeon’s nursing team to monitor your healing.

Later in the recovery process, silicone strips and gels can help to flatten and fade scars. However, silicone gels, strips, or scar tape should only be used once the incision has healed and is fully closed.

If you want to take a step further to minimise scars and come as close as possible to a scarless breast reduction, there are specialised scar treatment options available. For example, Dr Rubinstein has a specialised dermal team that can offer effective scar treatments like laser therapy and Healite II.

With multiple sessions, these dermal treatments can significantly reduce the appearance of surgical scars. So, while a completely scarless breast reduction may be a myth, treatments with advanced technology can eventually make post-surgical scars barely visible.

Dr Craig Rubinstein: Breast reduction surgeon in Melbourne

Minimising scars after a breast reduction involves taking a variety of steps, but the first and most important step is to carefully choose an experienced surgeon.

Focusing on breast procedures and abdominoplasty for women, Specialist Plastic Surgeon Dr Rubinstein has over 25 years of experience and has performed over 7,000 procedures.

Based in Melbourne, Dr Rubinstein takes a patient-centred approach, focusing on the unique needs of each breast reduction patient. He will carefully plan the procedure based on your personal needs and the results you hope to achieve.

Dr Rubinstein can minimise breast reduction scars by using techniques during the procedure, planning an efficient recovery process, and providing detailed scar-care instructions.

To discuss the details of your breast reduction and create a plan to minimise scars, book your consultation with Dr Craig Rubinstein. You are welcome to contact our team to learn how to arrange your consultation, to ask any questions you may have or to learn more about Dr Rubinstein.

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