---
title: "12 Ways to Minimise Scars After Breast Augmentation"
url: https://drturner.com.au/blogs/ways-to-minimise-scars-after-breast-augmentation/
date: 2025-05-02
modified: 2026-07-31
author: "Dr Scott J Turner"
description: "Dr Scott J Turner | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) Key Takeaways Augmentation scars are smaller than lift or reduction scars, since the implant goes through a single incision per side,..."
categories:
  - "Breast Augmentation"
  - "Breast Implants"
tags:
  - "Breast Augmentation"
  - "breast augmentation post-op"
  - "breast augmentation scar management"
  - "breast augmentation scars"
  - "post-surgery scar management"
  - "scar management"
image: https://drturner.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/blogplaceholder-img.svg
word_count: 2238
---

# 12 Ways to Minimise Scars After Breast Augmentation

*[Dr Scott J Turner](https://drturner.com.au/dr-scott-turner-sydney-plastic-surgeon/) | Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS)*

> **Key Takeaways**
>
>
>
>
> - Augmentation scars are smaller than lift or reduction scars, since the implant goes through a single incision per side, typically 4 to 5cm, placed to minimise long-term visibility.
> - Scar quality is partly within your control. Surgical technique sets the starting point, but what you do during the 12 to 18 month healing window has a meaningful effect.
> - The single most evidence-based home intervention is silicone therapy, started at three weeks once the wound is closed and continued daily for twelve months.
> - Sun protection, avoiding tension on the incisions, wearing the surgical bra as instructed, and not smoking all measurably improve the result.
> - Most scars fade to become difficult to spot by 12 to 18 months; a smaller proportion need treatment such as steroid injection, laser, or revision.
> - Raising any scar concern early, at follow-up, almost always means simpler treatment than waiting.
Scarring is one of the most common concerns about breast augmentation, and that is understandable. Even though augmentation scars are smaller than scars from a breast lift or reduction, they are permanent, and how they settle over the following 12 to 18 months matters. The good news is that scar quality is partly within your control: surgical technique sets the starting point, but what you do during recovery has a meaningful impact on what the scar looks like at 12 months and beyond.

This guide walks through the three incision approaches and what scars from each typically look like, the 12 specific actions that reduce scarring, and the treatment options if scars do not settle the way you hoped. For an overview of the operation, see the [breast augmentation surgery](https://drturner.com.au/procedures/breast-body/breast-augmentation/) page, and for patients in Queensland, [breast augmentation in Brisbane](https://drturner.com.au/locations/brisbane/breast-augmentation/).

## Why breast augmentation scars are different

Augmentation scars are meaningfully smaller than lift or reduction scars, because the procedure places an implant through a single incision rather than removing tissue and repositioning the nipple-areola complex. That means one incision per side, typically 4 to 5cm long, in a location chosen to minimise long-term visibility.

Three incision approaches are used in modern augmentation. The inframammary fold, hidden in the natural crease beneath the breast, is the most common approach in contemporary practice; the scar sits where the breast tissue covers it in standing posture, so it is typically not visible in everyday life or swimwear. The periareolar approach runs around the lower border of the areola at the natural pigment transition, where the scar tends to fade well into the pigment border, though it can interfere with sensation and breastfeeding capacity slightly more than the others. The trans-axillary approach, in the armpit, hides the scar but has fallen out of favour for several reasons, including limited surgical access, higher revision rates and pocket-positioning challenges, so it is used relatively rarely. Most patients heal with scars that fade meaningfully and become difficult to spot at 12 to 18 months, while a smaller proportion develop more visible scars. The 12 actions below give you the best chance of being in the first group.

## The 12 ways to minimise scars

### 1. Choose your surgeon carefully

The single biggest factor in scar quality is not anything you do at home; it is the surgical technique used in theatre. A surgeon who closes wounds with appropriate tension, uses layered absorbable sutures, places incisions in optimal positions, and follows a defined scar-care protocol sets the foundation for everything that follows. What to look for is a verified Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS) qualification through AHPRA, a detailed discussion of incision options and scar implications at consultation, a defined post-operative scar-care protocol included in the surgical plan, and surgery in accredited hospitals rather than office-based facilities. The right technique can produce a fine-line scar that fades to barely visible, while the wrong technique can produce a wider, more pigmented scar that no amount of post-operative care will fully correct.

### 2. Stop smoking and vaping six weeks before surgery

Nicotine constricts the small blood vessels that supply healing tissue, and smokers and vapers have meaningfully higher rates of wound-healing complications, infection and worse scar quality. Cessation needs to be sustained for at least six weeks before and six weeks after surgery. This is not optional: if you cannot commit to complete cessation, surgery should be deferred until you can, because the scar-quality difference is substantial enough that operating without cessation undermines the result.

### 3. Optimise your health before surgery

Several factors affect healing capacity, and a few are worth getting in order beforehand: a stable weight, since significant fluctuation during healing affects scar maturation; well-controlled chronic conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune disease; adequate protein intake for tissue repair; good hydration; stress management, since chronic high stress impairs healing; and adequate sleep. None are dramatic interventions, but cumulatively they make a difference to how the body handles healing.

### 4. Follow pre-operative instructions exactly

Pre-operative instructions exist because they affect outcomes. Common requirements include stopping certain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, some herbal supplements), no alcohol for 48 hours before surgery, specific antibacterial shower protocols, fasting for anaesthesia, and skin preparation. Skipping or modifying these can affect bleeding, infection risk and scar quality, since they are designed to give the best healing platform possible.

### 5. Wear the surgical bra as instructed

The surgical bra applies compression that supports the healing tissue and reduces tension on the incision lines. Wearing it continuously for the first two to three weeks, removed only briefly for showering after day three, is essential rather than optional. Patients who skip it for early comfort often regret it later when scars have stretched or widened, and short-term comfort is not worth the long-term scar impact. More detail is in the [support garments guide](https://drturner.com.au/blogs/support-garments-after-breast-surgery/).

### 6. Avoid tension on the incisions

Tension on healing wounds widens scars, and the first six to eight weeks, when the healing scaffold forms, is when any tension gets baked into the final scar shape. Avoid lifting anything heavier than a kettle for the first two weeks, repeated overhead reaching, push-ups or planks or any chest-engaging exercise until cleared at eight weeks, sleeping on your stomach until cleared, and any movement that pulls or stretches the chest area. For specific timing, see the [exercise after augmentation guide](https://drturner.com.au/blogs/exercise-after-breast-augmentation/).

### 7. Start silicone scar therapy at three weeks

Silicone gel or sheets applied directly to scars are the single most evidence-based intervention for improving scar quality, since silicone hydrates the scar, reduces collagen overproduction, and encourages a flatter, less pigmented result. Start at three weeks post-operative once the wound is fully closed and approved by your surgeon, and continue daily for twelve months. For gel, apply a thin layer twice daily and allow it to dry; for sheets, wear 12 to 23 hours per day, removing only briefly for hygiene. Both formats work equally well, and consistency matters more than which you choose.

### 8. Protect your scars from sun exposure

UV exposure during the first 12 months drives hyperpigmentation that can become permanent. Cover scars with clothing where possible, or use SPF 50+ on any scar that may be exposed. Incidental exposure counts: low-cut tops on a sunny day, brief uncovered moments at the beach, even time driving with sun through a window all add up over months, so the default rule is to cover the scars whenever you will have sun exposure.

### 9. Use gentle scar massage from week six

Once the wound is fully healed and you have been cleared at follow-up, gentle scar massage can soften firmer scar tissue and reduce adhesions. The technique is circular fingertip pressure applied directly over the scar, several minutes per scar, two to three times daily. The surgical team demonstrates it at the four-to-six week follow-up. Do not start massage on your own before being cleared, since too early can disrupt healing and worsen scar quality.

### 10. Maintain a healthy lifestyle through the first year

The first 12 months of scar maturation benefit from continued non-smoking, a stable weight (avoid significant weight loss during this period), adequate protein intake, and no excessive alcohol, which impairs collagen synthesis. None are dramatic, but cumulatively they matter for how scars settle.

### 11. Attend all follow-up appointments

Follow-up appointments at one week, three weeks, one month, three months, six months and 12 months let concerns be picked up early. A scar showing early signs of becoming hypertrophic responds much better to intervention at three months than at 12, so catching issues early means simpler treatment. If you cannot make a scheduled follow-up, reschedule rather than skip it, since the cadence is designed around the phases of scar maturation.

### 12. Address any scar concerns early rather than waiting

If something does not look right, raise it at follow-up rather than waiting to see if it resolves. The most common concerns are a scar becoming significantly more raised, red or painful between follow-ups, sudden swelling or discharge from a previously healed scar, any sign of infection, or appearance concerns that are not resolving as expected. Most are addressable, and earlier review almost always means simpler intervention than waiting until the issue is well established.

## The three phases of scar healing

Understanding the timeline puts the actions above in context. In **phase one, wound healing (weeks 0 to 3)**, the focus is closing the wound rather than caring for the scar: the deep dermal layers knit together, the surface seals, and the wound is structurally fragile, so active scar care such as silicone and massage does not start yet and the focus is on compression, tension avoidance and dressing instructions.

In **phase two, active scar maturation (months 1 to 12)**, the work happens: the scar forms its long-term character and what you do can change the outcome, with daily silicone therapy, sun protection, gentle massage from week six, and lifestyle support all contributing. The scar typically progresses through pink, raised and sometimes itchy at six weeks, to pink-red and flatter at three months, to lighter and mostly flat at six months, then pale, flat and mature by 12 months.

In **phase three, long-term maturation (months 12 to 18 and beyond)**, most maturation is done by 12 months and what you see at 18 months is essentially the long-term result. Most patients can stop daily silicone at 12 months, though continued sun protection is sensible. If scars have not settled well by 18 months, treatment options exist.

## Treatment options when scars do not settle well

A small proportion of patients develop scars that do not follow the typical maturation pattern, and several treatment options are available. Steroid injection with intralesional triamcinolone can flatten and soften raised hypertrophic scars, done in clinic over typically two to four sessions spaced four to six weeks apart. Laser treatment addresses redness or texture, with vascular lasers targeting redness in immature scars and fractional lasers targeting texture. Scar revision surgery excises a scar that has healed wide or become problematic and re-closes the wound, generally not considered before 12 to 18 months post-operative. Treating problematic scars often combines these options based on the specifics of what is not working.

## Frequently asked questions

**How long do breast augmentation scars take to fade?**

Most take 12 to 18 months to mature fully, appearing pink or red for the first six months, then gradually fading to lighter pink and eventually to white or skin-tone by 18 months. Inframammary scars hidden in the crease are often difficult to spot once mature, and periareolar scars blend into the pigment transition. Final visibility depends on individual healing factors as well as adherence to scar care.

**When should I start using silicone scar therapy?**

Start silicone gel or sheets at three weeks post-operative, once the wound is fully closed and approved by your surgeon at the follow-up, and continue daily for twelve months. Silicone is the single most evidence-based intervention for scar quality, and consistency matters more than which format you choose.

**Where will my breast augmentation scar be?**

The most common location is the inframammary fold beneath the breast, where the scar is hidden by the breast itself in standing posture and by clothing in everyday life. Periareolar (around the lower areola border) and trans-axillary (in the armpit) are alternatives chosen on specific clinical factors, and the location is discussed in detail at consultation as part of surgical planning.

**Can I prevent hypertrophic or keloid scars?**

You can reduce but not eliminate the risk. Silicone therapy started at three weeks and continued for twelve months reduces the likelihood of hypertrophic scarring, sun protection prevents pigmentation changes, and smoking cessation, stable weight and tension reduction during early healing all contribute. If you have a personal or family history of keloid formation, mention it at consultation so pre-emptive measures can be planned.

**What if my scars do not fade well?**

Several treatment options are available, including steroid injection for hypertrophic scars, laser treatment for redness or texture, and scar revision surgery for problematic cases, with the choice depending on what specifically is not right. Treatment is usually more effective when started before scars are fully mature, so raising concerns at follow-up rather than waiting allows earlier and simpler intervention.

Dr Scott J Turner is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon (FRACS). A GP referral is required before an initial surgical consultation under the current Medical Board of Australia framework. To discuss incision options and scar-care planning for your situation, [contact the practice](https://drturner.com.au/contact-us/) to arrange a consultation.