What kind of incisions or techniques leave the least amount of scarring in a breast lift?

Hi there-
I agree with you- minimizing the appearance of scars on the breast is critically important. The whole point of a breast lift procedure is to make the breast more attractive and youthful, and this is defeated if scars are unfavorable or conspicuous.
I believe strongly in taking an aggressive approach to scars in this situation, with progressive suturing techniques and postoperative scar treatments as a complimentary service to my breast lift patients, so that they will never feel like the improved shape was not worth the scars they have.
Having said all of that, I also strongly believe that the technique for breast lifting should be determined by the patient's goals for breast shape, and the shape they are starting with. Each different technique (I do 4 different types) will tend to produce a characteristic change in the shape of a breast, and so the technique needs to be matched appropriately to the patient, using her examination and her goals as guides- otherwise you may end up with a small scar, but a funny or unfavorable breast shape.
I would find a board certified plastic surgeon you like and who has a lot of experience performing breast lifts of all forms, and talk to them openly about your goals and your concerns for the scars. Listen to their recommendations and see how you feel about them. But don't let yourself choose an operation solely on the scars if it otherwise would not be the best procedure for you.

It is not possible to perform a proper breast lift without visible scars on the breast.  However, you might get the proper amount of lift with an implant alone.  In that case the scars are small and hidden in the armpit.  The only way to determine what you need is with a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon.

When considering a breast lift, the amount and visibility of scarring can vary based on the technique used.
Crescent Lift: This technique uses a small incision along the upper half of the areola and results in minimal visible scarring. However, it's usually only suitable for women with mild breast sagging and may be combined with breast augmentation. It provides the least scarring but offers the least lift.
Peri-Areolar (Donut) Lift: This involves an incision around the entire areola. It is more common for moderate sagging and results in a scar that follows the natural edge of the areola, making it less noticeable.
Lollipop Lift (Circumvertical): This technique involves a circular incision around the areola and a vertical incision that extends down the breast. It is used for more significant sagging and leaves a scar that may be more noticeable but still relatively discreet.
Anchor (Inverted T) Lift: This technique is used for severe sagging and involves three incisions: around the areola, vertically down the breast, and along the breast fold. It results in the most scarring but is necessary for the most significant lift.
In general, smaller incisions provide less lift, and the appropriate technique is based on the degree of sagging and the patient's desired outcome. Additionally, scar visibility can be minimized with proper surgical technique, post-operative care, and scar treatment options.
Krishna Vyas, MD, PhD, MHSHarvard, Hopkins, & Mayo Clinic Trained Aesthetic Plastic SurgeonNew York, New York

I think most patients who are on RealSelf are educated in the traditional mastopexy incision techniques:1) periareolar, either circumferential or crescentic2) lollipop, aka circumvertical, Hall-Findlay or LeJour3) T-scar, aka "anchor scar" or Wise pattern
What determines the visibility of scarring in a mastopexy result is affected by more than just the incision used. Tension across a scar is probably the biggest culprit to creating a widened or hypertrophic (thicker) scar, particularly when a surgeon is trying to tighten a breast pocket over an implant or heavy breast. Someone with weak or thin tissue lacking elastin and collagen and prone to stretch marks may be prone to widened scars. Wound healing issues or reaction to suture material can disrupt the wound and create wider or irregular scars. Skin pigmentation affects the color of the scar. Genetic predisposition to keloids or other conditions can also create undesirable results.
The best scars arise out of a combination of techniques to provide support for the implant or breast tissue combined with a degree of skin excision that does not put excessive tension on the scar, ideally in someone who is still young enough to generate good collagen and elastin to heal the scar. This may involve a mastopexy with a more modest implant size or small degree of breast tissue removal and reshaping to reduce weight, internal support of implants or breast tissue with absorbable mesh sling beneath the implant or around breast mounds, downsizing pockets with internal capsulorrhaphy to tighten the pocket around an implant and reduce the amount of skin that needs to be removed externally, and supportive permanent sutures such as goretex in the areola closure to prevent widening. In select patients with longer nipple to inframammary fold distances sometimes a single scar in the fold removing skin only horizontally may provide a nice lift without any visible anterior scar. Ultimately you will want a surgeon who is comfortable with both cosmetic and reconstructive breast work, who may often get referred revision work from other surgeons or doctor and is accustomed to using a wide armamentarium of techniques to achieve a superior result.

Excellent question. There are many breast lift techniques. If we classify them in regards to their scars we have 3-4 basic types. From smaller scars to bigger scars they are as follows:               1. Crescent Lift and Donut Lift, 2. Lollipop Lift , 3. J Lift and Anchor lift (or inverted T Lift)             The smaller the scars, the less lift we can achieve. In order to know which lift is best for you, an evaluation is needed to determine how much lift is necessary for optimal results.  Unfortunately, you can’t have surgery without scars, and scars never go away 100%. They do get better with time and in some cases, they may practically fade completely in a few years. But there are plenty of ways to treat unwanted scars like with silicone gels, lasers and more....so you don’t need to worry about it too much.
If you wish to lift your breasts, surgery will be worth the scars. Try to view scars as tools that help us lift the breasts. Larger incisions/scars simply translate to better results.Best of luck,Dr. Miguel Mota

I perform one of three surgical techniques for breast lift surgery. I strive to minimize the scarring required for each patient, but the technique I recommend will depend on the degree of ptosis, or sag, of the patient's breast anatomy. In order of increasing surgical intervention, the three breast lift techniques are:Periareolar: I solely make an incision around the nipple/areolar complex. The incision camouflages well at the border of the more darkly pigmented skin of the areola, and this technique is as close to "scarless" as exists.  Vertical: This technique requires the periareolar incision and a vertical incision down the lower pole of the breast to the inframammary fold beneath. The majority of my patients require this incision pattern, but these incisional scars typically heal well to thin, almost imperceptible lines.Wise Pattern (Anchor): I reserve this technique for patients with the most significant amounts of breast sag. It involves the vertical breast lift incisions plus another incision hidden in the inframmary fold beneath the breast.Patients are sometimes worried about scarring before surgery, but afterward, very few ever mention it to me. The surgery result is so transformative, and patients are overwhelmingly happy with its outcome. Overall, it is more important to undergo surgery with the right technique given your anatomy, because that choice will play a large role in determining your aesthetic outcome. I would suggest you visit a board-certified plastic surgeon who is experienced with breast and body cosmetic surgery, because there is a significant different in the outcome of a high quality breast lift versus a mediocre one.