Do breast implants cause stretch marks because of the skin stretching? Is there any way to tell ahead of time if you are likely to have stretch marks from getting breast implants?
It would be extremely rare for implants to cause stretch marks - only if the implant size was extremely larger than your skin can tolerate. More commonly, however, breast augmentation improves the appearance of stretch marks as your breast appears fuller.
This answer seems obvious but it is in fact very rare to have breast augmentation cause breast stretch marks.
In those individuals who do not have stretch marks, I am not aware of implants causing stretch marks in well over a thousand patients.
However, In those individuals with pre-existing stretch marks, I have seen two responses:
Gina,
The possibility of developing stretch marks after surgery is really a matter of your skin quality. If you have other marks from weight changes or pregnancy, you may develop marks after an augmentation. If you are young, and your skin quality is good, it is unlikely. By placing the implant under the muscle, and not going too large on the size of the implant, you reduce your risk.
There is no sure way to predict if stretch marks will occur post-op. We recommend moisturizing creams in the early post op time to keep the skin supple. I also tell patients to consider Neutrogena Sesame Oil immediately after showers and baths. We are not certain as to the method, but it has worked great in our patients who have become pregnant years after a cosmetic procedure. It helps to reduce the need for further surgery or laser correction of the skin in those patients.
If it is a big concern, as I would expect it would be, make sure you discuss the possibility of stretch marks with your Plastic Surgeon when they examine you and your skin.
Hope this helps answer your question.
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