Breast Reduction Scars - How to Avoid Scarring?

If you have excess skin and desire a decrease in volume, there is no way to get around having scars.  Science has yet to find a way to truly do "scarless" surgery.   That being said, most patients are very happy to trade off having scars for an improved breast shape, less aches and pains associated with large droopy breasts, and looking better in clothing, swimming suits, bras, etc.  (and maybe even feeling comfortable going bra-less for the first time!)It is best to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon who performs breast surgery.  You can look photos of typical scars in a wide variety of patients and better understand what to expect and what the trade-offs and risks are.Best wishes,Dr. Michelle Spring

Unfortunately there is no way to perform a breast reduction without scars.  However, the significant improvement in shape, size, weight and appearance of the breast with the improvements in back pain, neck pain, shoulder grooving, and the other problems associated with large breasts are well worth the surgery.  The scars are hidden in the nipple areolar complex at the transition between the colored portion of the nipple and the light skin of the breast, and along the breast fold.   The scars also fade with time.  Breast reduction is a safe, effective way to improve the size and position of the breast, and is met with overwhelming patient satisfaction.

Scarring is a very common concern. In a very small subset of breast reduction patients you can consider liposuction. Typically this is best for a young patient with good skin elasticity who only needs a small reduction. This is not meant for large volume reductions. The scarring will vary depending on how much skin and breast tissue needs to be removed. The scars do heal well overtime and there are products that can help them fade/blend faster. See a board certified plastic surgeon to learn what might be best for you. 

It’s completely understandable to be concerned about scars when considering breast reduction, but unfortunately, it’s difficult to avoid them entirely if you need to reduce excess tissue. There’s no way to lift the breasts without leaving scars, but commonly, the incisions are strategically placed in areas that are easier to conceal, such as around the areola, vertically down the breast, and under the breast fold. The majority of patients find that the benefits (including improved shape) far outweigh the visible scars.
Larger breasts can lead to physical discomfort, including back, neck, and shoulder pain, and many patients find that after surgery, they feel more comfortable in their clothes, swimwear, and even without a bra. A breast reduction may significantly improve both your physical well-being and self-esteem. Although there will be some scarring, modern techniques and a skilled surgeon can minimize and/or optimize them. A plastic surgeon can explain the expected results, show you before-and-after photos, and help you make an informed decision about whether the trade-off is worth it for you. To minimize scars, following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions is crucial and keeping the incisions clean, avoiding sun exposure, wearing a supportive bra, and using scar management products (such as silicone) once healing is complete can all help improve the appearance of scars. Many patients, particularly those with significant breast volume, find that after a reduction, they no longer care much about the scars because of the newfound comfort and confidence the procedure provides.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

Hi there, thank you for your question. The general answer to your question is no, unfortunately when you do a breast reduction you are accepting having those scars which typically look like an anchor. For certain patients with very good skin tone, occasionally liposuction and radiofrequency skin tightening can be of value, but it’s never going to get the same result as a true breast reduction.

Thank you for the questions. With the breast reduction operation, there will be scars but certain measures like atraumatic techniques, suturing in multiple layers, use of absorbable sutures and good care of the wound and scar in post operative period can help reduce the scars. Use of silicone gels on scars can improve the quality of the scars.

T the trade-off for having smaller breasts are scars. We can use short scar techniques to limit the visible scars under the breast. If you have problems, we do have methods to help or we can revise them a year later. Nearly all scars will fade given sufficient time (years).  Some skin types can develop problematic scars such as keloid scars, however this is rare. The vast majority of patients are so much happier with their smaller breasts, (less pain, aches and more comfortable in clothing), that they feel that the scars are a small price to pay. 

Unfortunately incisions are necessary to reduce or lift the breasts.
There are tricks to get a nice scar such as close the incisions in layers, using sutures "inside" that your body will dissolve allowing them to stay in place longer without marking the skin. 
Massage and use of sun screen are important postoperative care that help with the scar. There is also some topic cream that can help such as Biocorneum, gel silicone with sun screen.
Each patient heals in a different way. It takes up to 12-18 months for the scar reach its final form.
Young patients has more redness over the scar and it takes longer to fade than old patients.

Sorry, but surgery is the only way we can reduce the breasts without sagging. The size and type of scar will depend on the breasts size and the results the patient is looking for. Some techniques can procedure less scarring then others, but it is impossible to say what technique is best for you without an evaluation. 
A "Scarless Breast Reduction" may be what you are looking for, but all this means is liposuction of the breasts. This is done with small stab incisions, the reduction is minimal and it does not include a lift, plus there is usually sagging afterwards. This is why is it aplicable in only a select group of patients.
I feel it is helpful for patients to understand that if they want to reduce or lift their breasts, the scar is not the problem. It is more like the solution to the problem. If you are not ready for the scar, then unfortunately, you are not ready for surgery.
If you are thinking about the possibility surgery, please contact a plastic surgeon for additional info on what is best you. 
Best of luck!Dr. Miguel Mota

Hello and thank you for your question! This is a great question. There are multiple ways to have a reduction whether it is liposuction to the breast or one that requires actual incisions. It  really depends on your breast tissue and the amount of skin you have. If you have very dense breast tissue, you may require a reduction with a lift. The reduction is making the breast smaller and the lift is the actual repositioning of the breast. Some surgeons can do a reduction and lift with a simple "lollipop" scar (meaning there is no underneath anchor). The typical scaring is the "anchor" scarring with the underneath scar. Scars can be dramatically decreased based on the surgeons approach, special creams and scar strips. It really depends on what it is that you are wanting to achieve overall. If you are having neck and back pain, then maybe you should have a consult or speak to people who have gone through this. Everybody scars differently, but there are definitely things you can do to reduce the appearance. Hope this helps!

 There are essentially 5 different ways to reduce a breast depending on the size, composition of the breast tissue, and how much of an uplift is desired by the patient. First there is a scarless reduction that works with breasts that are more fatty than glandular. This is essentially liposuction of the breast. With this technique there is considerable reduction and some shrinkage of skin, but less or no correction of the sagginess. All the other techniques will result in more or less scarring. Reducing skin excess will help lift the breast and correct droopiness. There is a peri areolar method that may work on smaller breast that aren’t too saggy. In this method the scar is only around the areola. The vertical or lollipop incision will have scars around the areola and a vertical scar going from the areola to the fold under the breast. This will create an uplift, narrowing the breast and increasing the nipple projection, but the breast may still look bottom heavy. The best control of size and shape is achieved with the inverted T scar . In this technique there are scars around the areola, the vertical scar to the fold and a horizontal scar in the fold under the breast. In this method the excess skin is removed in vertical and horizontal dimensions of the breast which helps control the shape. There is even a method which only gives a scar around the areola and one in the fold under the breasts with no vertical scar. This method is applicable in cases where the skin above the areola can easily reach the fold. Therefore it would only work in larger and more droopy breasts. These methods all have their pluses and minuses. This is why it is important to consult a very experienced plastic surgeon who is familiar with all these techniques and could help you chose the one that works best for you.