How Long Before Incision from Breast Augmentation Heals?

Good question.Fast Answer: Incisions take 24-48 hours to “seal”; time until completely healed is 4-6 weeks.Detailed Answer: This answer depends on what you meant by healed. If you are asking when the incision is sealed that is about 24 hours. This is why it is safe for you to take a shower the day following surgery. If you are asking time until totally healed and the incision has significant strength, then it takes about 4-6 weeks. This is why you can typically go back to upper body lifting at 4-6 weeks. If you are asking when the incision will be strong enough so that you don’t have to worry about your revision opening up, then I would safe after 1 week.I hope that helps! Best of Luck!

Answer from Dr. Sean Hill, Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon at Lone Star Plastic Surgery – Frisco, TX:
This is an excellent and important question. While the breasts themselves continue to “drop and fluff” over the course of several months, incision healing follows its own timeline — and proper care during this period can significantly influence the final appearance of your scars.
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⏳ Typical Healing Timeline for Incisions
Week 1–2: Early Healing Phase • The incision is sealed but still delicate. • You may notice redness, slight swelling, or scabbing — all normal. • Sutures (if not dissolvable) are typically removed around the 7–10 day mark. • Avoid pulling or stretching the incision during this time.
Weeks 3–6: Scar Formation Begins • The incision is now closed and much stronger. • The area may look darker, slightly raised, or pink, which is normal during this stage of collagen remodeling. • This is when we usually start scar therapy, such as medical-grade silicone gel or silicone strips.
Months 2–3: Scar Maturation • Redness begins to fade, and the scar starts to flatten. • Continued use of silicone and sun protection is key. • Gentle scar massage (if cleared) can also help soften the tissue.
Months 6–12+: Final Maturation • Scars usually become flat, soft, and lighter in color by 6–12 months. • Final appearance depends on your skin type, genetics, and how well you follow post-op care.
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The wounds from breast augmentation are generally healed in 3 weeks time but some patients do heal sooner or take longer. It is advisable to keep the surgical bra all the time after surgery for first few weeks and keep using it longer if its comfortable. Many of my patients always sleep in sports bra ti support the implant. I advise sleeping on back with head propped up for first 2-3 weeks and not lying on the side for first 4 weeks.

Hi, for your guidance, patients will feel sore and tired during the first 48 to 72 hours following surgery. During these first few days, the patient should engage in light activities, refraining from lifting or raising the arms above the head.
Swelling and bruising will subside during the first week after surgery and will be controlled by pain medication. The initial dressings will be removed a few weeks after surgery during a post operative visit. Patients typically may return to a work a few days after surgery (only a light workload during the first two weeks). Scars will progressively fade throughout the months following surgery.I use tape during the first 4 weeks, then scar cream,,   laser is an option to reduce redness
Contact your surgeon if you have any more concers about your aftercare. #RealSelf100

You do not usually need to worry about the breast implant breaking the layers of skin. This is exceptionally rare after straight forward breast augmentations, even with revision procedures.  Your doctor will normally close the wound in several layers, which should make it very strong. Wearing a good support bra during the healing process will assist the healing process.  Risk factors that might predispose you to slightly higher rates of wound healing problems would include smoking (particularly heavy smoking), other forms of nicotine replacement such as e-cigarettes or vaping and certain medical conditions.  Your doctor will have taken all of this into account and should be able to explain all these risks to you based on your specific circumstances, but it is certainly not very common.  People who tend to have more problems are those having skin tightening breast lift procedures as part of the same operation, though even here the risks are still pretty low when performed safely.  

Dear imadvice,in most cases, breast augmentation incision is healed after 6 weeks but scar maturation can take a year. Regarding the postoperative protocol, every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Well closed surgical incisions are sealed by 24 hours, half as strong as normal skin at 6 weeks and approximately 80% the strength of normal skin by 1 year.  I do like supportive bras for approximately three months post surgery.  Best of luck, Dr. Greenwald

Thank you for your question.  I usually prefer the inframammary crease incision in all my patients that have revision breast surgery as I believe it gives the best visualization for accessing and visualizing the important anatomy (pocket, capsule, muscle, etc.) in order to achieve the best possible results.  This approach, I believe,  also has the lowest incidence of capsular contraction.  These incisions heal in 3-6 weeks in general.  I am adamant in my patients that they cannot wear an underwire bra for at least 6 weeks and sometimes even 8 weeks because the pressure of the wire on the incision can absolutely detract from healing and even cause wound breakdown on occasion.  Some sports bras can have a "thicker band" on the bottom as you describe.  If that is irritating the incision and uncomfortable your body is telling you something, and I would recommend you find a different softer "sports bra" that does not impart irritation in this area.  We have some cotton sports bras for our patients that have good support and routinely patients describe as comfortable "on the bottom".  This is a good thing to discuss with your plastic surgeon.  The incisions are usually closed at the time of surgery with dissolveable sutures, and sometimes there are steri strips or tape over the incisions for the first few weeks.  One other thing I am very adamant about with my patients in breast augmentation is no submerging in water (i.e. hot tubs, baths, ocean, or lake) for at least 4 weeks and sometimes 6 weeks after surgery.  Showering is fine starting the day after surgery.  Sometimes an incision can "appear" to be completely healed and soaking in an hot tub too early can introduce an implant infection.  There are very rare cases of "implant extrusion" occurring many months after surgery.  In these extremely rare cases, the cause is usually something of an infectious etiology.  I hope this is helpful!

There are four points in the healing process that are important:1.  Incision Sealed at 24-48 hours - The incision is sealed and it is safe to shower.  2.  Incision Healed at 1 week - If sutures are use, they can be removed.  Okay to begin breast massage.  If there is no redness or drainage the incision is highly likely to heal without any problems and is extremely unlikely to reopen.3.  Ready for exercise at 3 weeks - At three weeks one can restart exercise except reaching very high, hanging from a barbell, or heavy upper body lifting 4.  Ready for anything 4-6 weeks - The incision has gained strength and can withstand heavy exercise and any activity you normally take part in.

It will take 6 months for your incision to be the way it will be forever. During that time, I'd refrain from any bouncing sports such as jogging or horseback riding which will put a strain on your healing wound. Wearing a bra will help but avoiding these higher risk behaviors is key. Good luck.