One concern many women have about undergoing breast surgery is scarring. Undergarments usually hide the colouration and texture of the post-operative scar tissue, but they can still cause distress. As breast augmentation is an invasive surgery, be reminded that it results in some degree of scarring due to incisions. With that said, it doesn’t mean you cannot do anything to reduce its appearance. 

Of course, there are some things you can do before your surgery to minimize the presence of scars. Fortunately, with advanced technology and procedures, there’s a way to undergo breast augmentation with minimal scar. Regardless, a considerable amount of scarring still appears as a result of your operation.

If you are having problems with your noticeable post-surgical scars, there’s no need to worry. Here are some ways to reduce scarring after breast augmentation.

Tips to Reduce Scars from Breast Augmentation

1. Use Treatment Creams

There are several creams available in the market that you can use after your surgery. With that said, there are three types of cream to help achieve breast augmentation with a minimal scar:

Silicone Treatments

It helps to hydrate the scar tissue, making it softer and flatter. This treatment also serves as a barrier layer from bacteria. Furthermore, silicone treatments use breathable materials preventing scars from being sweaty and irritated, which also minimizes itching from scarring.

Silicone treatments come in two forms, either a thin plaster-like strip or a liquid substance. Regardless, both ways can only be used once the wound has fully healed (around 2-3 weeks).

Antibacterial Cream

Surgeons usually require applying antibacterial cream to protect the wounds against infection. The frequency of using this cream depends on the post-operative instructions given out by your surgeon. Make sure to follow the instructions closely.

Softening Cream

It keeps the scar area flexible and hydrated, though there is no conclusive data that proves it’s 100% effective. It is best to ask your surgeon if softening cream can help with a minimal scar after breast augmentation. If you’re permitted, make sure to use it once the wound has completely healed.

2. Gently Massage the Area

Gentle massages help soften and flatten the scar after breast augmentation. Scars are formed from collagen that has built up during healing. The pressure helps distribute the collagen and prevent it from knitting together. It can also increase blood flow in the skin, which speeds up the healing process. Practice massages when scabs have disappeared on their own. You can use cream or oil to ease the process.

3. Wear Supportive Undergarments

The first six months after breast augmentation is considered a critical period as it’s when scar tissues form. Wearing a post-operative bra, day and night, gives your breasts support, not placing stress on the scar. Ask your surgeon for recommendations regarding appropriate undergarments during recovery. Support bras such as balconette, bandeau, contour or convertible are usually used. 

Avoid wearing underwired bras because the wiring can rub and irritate the scar. Do not worry about ample support. Post-operative bras have a soft but firm underband, giving support while being gentle against the skin.

4. Avoid Direct Sunlight Exposure

After breast augmentation, scar tissues are sensitive to UV rays. As they’re less protected, scars can appear darker once exposed to the sun. Furthermore, you can suffer from sunburn more easily during this period. Avoiding sun exposure is commonly advised. If you are going out after your surgery, make sure to use high SPF sunscreen. 

5. Keep Wounds Dry

Moisture helps wounds to heal faster. However, at the same time, a wound becomes more prone to infection once wet. To reduce further scarring, it is best to keep wounds dry. You may apply moisture through prescriptive creams and lotions.

6. Avoid Hot Showers

To achieve breast augmentation with a minimal scar, you need to keep wounds clean from infection. With that said, hot showers should be avoided until the wound has completely healed. Heat aggravates the scar and causes inflammation, delaying the healing process. Bath and shower with lukewarm water, especially during the early stages of recovery. 

7. Practice Healthy Habits

A fit and healthy body can help your body heal wounds quickly, particularly regarding scarring. Practice a healthy lifestyle before and after your operation. Eat foods rich in vitamins and protein that promotes tissue development and wound healing.

More importantly, stay always hydrated as it improves skin elasticity and helps in the healing process. Once the skin lacks fluid, it doesn’t have enough oxygen and nutrients to supplement wound healing.

Lastly, cut off on vices such as smoking. Smoking reduces blood flow, restricting the oxygen in the skin. It also affects how the white blood cells ability to fight infection, which then affects what type of scar forms post-surgery.

8. Follow Doctor’s Orders

As obvious as it may sound, following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions assures minimal risks of infection and scarring. Take care of your surgical wounds by keeping the area clean and avoid putting pressure on the scar. Also, monitor your scars to make sure they are healing properly. If you find any complications, it is best to consult with your doctor immediately.

Those are some tips to reduce scarring after your breast augmentation. However, as mentioned earlier, there are pre-operative measures you can do to prevent noticeable scars after surgery. This includes the type of incision used during your procedure, as well as the right breast implants. Technological advancements in plastic surgery make way for innovations that allow breast augmentation with minimal scar. An implant brand that is making a name for giving results with smaller scars is Motiva®.

Motiva® Implants for Breast Augmentation with Minimal Scar

As we have established, scarring is one of the main concerns women have regarding breast augmentation. However, with brands like Motiva®, there’s nothing to worry about.

Motiva® Breast Implants have a SmoothSilk™/SilkSurface™. Achieved through 3D nanotechnology imprinting, this smooth outer surface minimizes the growth and attachment of bacteria and reduces the risk of capsular contracture and late seroma. Motiva® also has a TrueMonobloc® shell configuration that makes the implants tensile and sturdy. These two features allow easy insertion through a smaller incision (2.5cm to 3cm) during your procedure.

Furthermore, Motiva® Breast Implants have a BluSeal® indicator, a protective layer surrounding the implants, allowing the surgeon to detect potential implant defects such as gel bleed and ruptures before implantation. Also, it has the Q Inside Safety Technology™, the first RFID micro transponder cleared by the FDA for use in humans. You can quickly get all the implant information by scanning the breasts using a QID reader.

Motiva® also promotes safety through its innovation. A 6-year prospective study among patients that used Motiva® Breast Implants shows less than 1% of cases of implant-related complications. It also has low rates of capsular contracture, late seroma, and zero reported cases of BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). It ensures the lower risk of possible reoperation, which can lead to more scarring.

Motiva® is cleared for commercial distribution in over 60 countries such as Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, Japan, and more. To know more about Motiva® Breast Implant, you can visit their website.