Breast surgery—whether breast augmentation, uplift (mastopexy), reduction or a combined mummy makeover—inevitably leaves a scar. The good news is that most scars settle impressively with the right care, especially in the first few months. Mr Reza Nassab, Consultant Plastic Surgeon in Manchester & Cheshire, shares a simple, evidence-led plan to help you minimise scarring after breast surgery and feel confident sooner.
At a glance: the 5 way to reduce scars after breast surgery
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Protect the incision in the first 6 weeks – keep it clean, dry, supported and free from tension.
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Use silicone (gel or sheets) consistently for 3–6 months once the wound has closed.
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Tape the scar (Micropore™/Hypafix™) for first few weeks to off-load tension while you heal.
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Shield from the sun for 12 months (SPF 50+, clothing) and consider early light/laser if redness persists.
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Optimise your biology – avoid nicotine, prioritise protein and good control of medical conditions; escalate to steroid injections/laser/other therapies early if you’re a high-risk healer.
What normal breast scars look like over time
All new scars are red or pink and firmer at first. Around 6 weeks they often look redder, then fade over several months; most scars reach their “final” look between 12 and 18 months, changing from pink to pale and becoming flatter and softer. Patience matters: a scar that worries you at 3 months can look very acceptable at 12 months with good care. Professional bodies note this typical maturation pattern and the wide variation between individuals.
The 5 best ways to reduce scarring after breast surgery
1 – Protect the incision early: hygiene, support and low tension
Your first fortnight sets the tone. Follow your dressing and shower guidance, avoid soaking the wound, and keep the breast supported in a soft, non-wired surgical bra day and night. Support reduces mechanical stress on the healing incision, and mechanical tension is a key trigger for thick or stretched scars. Simple measures such as paper taping (more below), avoiding heavy lifting, and managing coughs/constipation (to prevent straining) all help keep tension down. Where possible, avoid nicotine completely; smoking and vaping significantly increase wound problems and infections, which in turn worsen scars.
Practical tips
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Sleep slightly propped up for the first 3-4 days to limit swelling.
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Wear the advised bra continuously for at least 6 weeks.
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Follow your specific dressing change plan.
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Report any concern about discharge, spreading redness, increasing pain or opening of the wound promptly.
Evidence shows smoking or nicotine cessation from at least 6 weeks before to several weeks after surgery reduces wound complications. There are higher complication risks in nicotine users across breast procedures.
2 – Silicone therapy (gel or sheets): the low-risk, high-value habit
Once your incision is healed and any steri-strips are off, topical silicone is the go-to first-line option we recommend. Silicone hydrates the stratum corneum and creates a semi-occlusive barrier, which helps regulate collagen during remodelling; it’s particularly helpful in those at risk of raised or wide scars. Use 12–24 hours per day for 3–6 months (longer if you’re prone to hypertrophic scars). Gels suit inframammary and periareolar scars; sheets are great for larger anchor (lollipop or T) patterns.
Research supports a clinical benefit for silicone in improving thickness, colour and symptoms of scars. In practice, silicone remains a safe, affordable, low-effort mainstay. There’s no clear superiority of sheets vs gels; choose what you’ll use consistently.
How to use it well
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Wait until the wound is fully closed and non-weeping.
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Clean skin first; apply a thin film of gel (rice-grain amount per 5 cm) or place a trimmed sheet without tension.
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Wash sheets daily; replace when they lose stickiness. You can remove them to shower and replace the same ones afterwards.
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Continue for several months; results are gradual.
3 – Taping to reduce tension for first few weeks
Think of paper tape (e.g., Micropore™) or fabric adhesive dressings (e.g., Hypafix™) as a mechanical aid that off-loads stretch across the scar while the collagen scaffold is weak. A landmark randomised trial showed paper taping reduced hypertrophic and “stretched” scars by mitigating tension during the early healing window. Newer reviews reinforce taping as a simple, inexpensive prevention strategy. Apply in 3–5 cm strips perpendicular to the scar line, overlapping slightly, and change every 3–5 days or sooner if damp. You can also use the silicone tapes as well.
4 – Sun protection—and smart use of light & lasers
UV exposure can darken scars (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) or cause colour mismatch, making them more obvious and slower to blend. Protect scars for at least 12 months with SPF 50+ (broad-spectrum, high UVA rating), clothing, and by avoiding midday sun. This is especially important after mastopexy or reduction where scars are more extensive.
If redness persists beyond 6–12 weeks or a scar looks “angry”, early laser can help.
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Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL) targets excess blood vessels, reducing redness and symptoms like itch; several clinical studies—including early treatment within weeks of surgery—show it can improve the look and feel of new surgical scars.
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Fractional ablative lasers (e.g., fractional CO₂ or Er:YAG) remodel collagen to improve texture and thickness. Early fractional laser after breast (including mastectomy) scars has shown better outcomes versus no treatment in controlled studies.
Your laser plan is individual and may involve 2–4 sessions spaced 4–8 weeks apart. As with any energy device, practitioner experience and skin-type-specific protocols matter to minimise risks like pigment change—especially in darker skin tones.
5 – Optimise biology and escalate early if you’re high-risk
Avoid nicotine entirely (including vapes, patches and nicotine gum) before and after surgery; nicotine constricts blood vessels, reduces oxygen delivery and impairs immune function, raising infection and wound-breakdown risk—two pathways that worsen scars. Aim for protein-rich meals, good hydration, and control of diabetes and other conditions that affect healing. If you’ve had hypertrophic or keloid scars before, or have a strong family tendency, inform us; you may benefit from closer follow-up and earlier intervention (e.g., steroid injections for areas that become raised). Modern scar-management algorithms emphasise early recognition and a step-wise approach using silicone, pressure/tape, steroids, lasers and (rarely) surgery if needed.
A note on vitamin E and miracle creams
Vitamin E is hugely popular online, but controlled data do not show a cosmetic benefit for surgical scars, and around a third of users may develop dermatitis from it. If you like an oil, choose a bland, fragrance-free emollient and focus on silicone as your active step.
What Mr Nassab’s patients can expect at CLNQ (Manchester & Cheshire)
Mr Nassab’s protocol is designed to be simple, consistent and tailored to your pattern of breast surgery and skin type:
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Weeks 0–2: wound checks, dressing plan, bra support, light activity only.
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Weeks 2–6: begin taping or use silicone gel/sheets once fully closed; gradual return to normal activity.
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Weeks 6–12: continue silicone; assess for persistent redness or early thickening—consider PDL for redness or fractional laser for texture if appropriate.
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Months 3–6: wean silicone when the scar is flat and pale; ongoing sun protection; targeted steroid micro-injections offered for any raised segments.
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12–18 months: final review; most scars are pleasantly discreet by this stage. Surgical scar revision is rarely required and only considered when the scar has fully matured.
Who is more prone to prominent scars?
You may have a higher risk of hypertrophic or keloid scarring if you have a personal or family tendency to raised scars, are younger, have darker skin phototypes, or if the incision sits in a high-tension zone (e.g., the lower breast fold after a large reduction or uplift). Recognising risk early allows preventive taping/silicone and faster escalation to steroid or laser therapy if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get rid of scars after breast augmentation?
You can’t remove a scar completely, but you can make it far less noticeable. The best plan is consistency: support the incision early, use silicone gel or sheets daily for 3–6 months, tape for 6–12 weeks to reduce tension, protect from the sun for a year, and escalate to PDL or fractional laser if redness or thickness persists. For small raised areas, steroid injections flatten and soften effectively.
How long do breast augmentation scars take to fade?
Most scars mature over 12–18 months. They’re often reddest at 6–8 weeks, turn pink/purple over the next 2–3 months, and then gradually fade towards a pale line. If at 3–6 months your scar is still very red or itchy, ask about early laser; addressing persistent redness early can improve the final result.
When can I start silicone gel or sheets?
As soon as the incision is fully closed and dry—typically after steri-strips come off. Then use daily for several months. There’s no strong evidence that gel is better than sheets (or vice versa), so pick the format you’ll use reliably.
Is scar massage helpful?
Gentle massage after 3–4 weeks can improve comfort and pliability for some people, but evidence is mixed. If you massage, use a bland moisturiser around silicone sessions, not instead of them.
Can I sunbathe or use a sunbed?
You should avoid direct UV on new scars for at least 12 months. Cover up and apply broad-spectrum SPF 50+; sunbeds are best avoided entirely. UV can darken scars and increase colour mismatch.
I’ve had keloids before. Can anything prevent them?
Yes. We’ll prioritise taping plus silicone, close review, and early steroid injections for any raised areas. Lasers may be used alongside injections to improve colour and symptoms.
Does vitamin E (or onion extract) work?
Not convincingly for post-surgical scars, and vitamin E may cause dermatitis in a significant minority. If you prefer a topical, choose silicone; if you like an oil for massage, use a fragrance-free emollient.
When would you consider scar revision surgery?
Only after the scar has fully matured (usually 12–18 months) and if the benefit outweighs the trade-off of creating a new scar. Many patients never need it because modern conservative steps work well.
Why choose Mr Reza Nassab in Manchester & Cheshire?
Mr Nassab is a Manchester Plastic Surgeon with a specialist interest in cosmetic breast surgery. At CLNQ in Deansgate Square and Cheshire, he offers a structured scar-care pathway—including silicone and taping protocols, follow ups, and on-site access to vascular and fractional lasers where indicated. Patients value the combination of meticulous surgical technique and clear aftercare that supports discreet, confident results.














