Are There Scars After a Breast Lift and Reduction?
Posted January 08, 2026 in Breast Lift, Breast Reduction
Excessively large breasts add strain to the back and shoulders, and make women self-conscious about their appearance. If you avoid specific clothing or activities because of your breast size, a breast lift and reduction can improve your appearance and your quality of life. This blog examines scarring after a breast lift and reduction to help women understand what to expect and steps they can take to minimize the appearance of their scars.
4 Min Read:
Types of Breast Lift and Reduction Scars
Your breast lift surgery scars will depend on the specific technique Dr. Cha uses, since he will customize your surgery based on the amount of reduction and lift you need to achieve optimal results. Incision options might include:
Crescent or Donut Incision
For patients requiring minimal correction, the crescent or donut incision may be sufficient. The crescent incision curves around the upper border of the areola (the pigmented area surrounding the nipple), while the donut encircles the areola. Both of these scars are barely visible once they heal, since they are safely hidden within the pigmented area.
Lollipop Incision
The lollipop incision is a common option for a breast lift and reduction procedure because it allows the removal of more breast tissue while lifting the remaining tissue to a more youthful position on the chest. The incision encircles the areola and extends down the lower portion of the breast to resemble a lollipop. The scar around the areola is barely visible, while the lower incision is hidden within underwear or a bathing suit.
Anchor Incision
This incision is reserved for patients who require the most reduction and lift. The technique is similar to the lollipop formation, but an additional incision is made across the bottom of the breast, within the crease. This technique leaves the most scarring, but Dr. Cha places the lower incision within the natural skin folds to make it less visible. The entire incision is also hidden inside underwear or a bathing suit.
What to Expect After Breast Lift and Reduction Surgery
Dr. Cha uses suturing techniques that minimize tension on the incision for optimal healing. Immediately following your surgery, your incisions will be swollen, red or purple, and raised or puckered. This appearance will diminish over the first few weeks after your procedure. Dr. Cha and his team will instruct you on caring for your incisions during the early stage of your recovery, including changing your dressings regularly and keeping the area clean.
Once the dressings are removed, apply silicone gel and gently massage the area to keep the incision soft and aid healing. Scars tend to look worse at around six to eight weeks after surgery, before they begin to improve. The incision will start to flatten, and the color will likely fade from red to pink.
Scars will significantly improve 3–6 months after your surgery, but you may not see the final result for 12–18 months. At this point, the scars should lighten and become nearly invisible. If you are still unhappy with the appearance of your scars, Dr. Cha offers non-surgical treatments, such as Morpheus8, to further minimize their appearance.
Care Tips to Minimize Visible Scarring
While you are waiting for your incisions to heal, there are steps you can take to support your recovery process and optimize your outcome:
- Follow postoperative instructions carefully for a safe, healthy recovery
- Apply a silicone gel or moisturizer to your incisions to keep them soft
- Gently massage the area to break down scar tissue
- Use sunscreen anytime you go outdoors to protect scars from UV rays
- Wear a supportive bra to prevent tension on the incisions as they heal
Discover Your Options in Breast Lift and Reduction Surgery in NYC
Breast lift and reduction surgery in New York offers life-changing improvement for women suffering physical discomfort and embarrassment because of their large, pendulous breasts. Dr. Eric Cha is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over two decades of experience helping patients look and feel their best. To learn more about your breast enhancement options, call our NYC office at (212) 717-2222 or complete our contact form.