Breast reduction scars usually follow one of two patterns: a lollipop scar (around the areola with a vertical line) or an anchor scar (lollipop plus a short crease scar in the fold).
Scars look pink and a bit raised for a few months, then fade and flatten over 12–18 months. Daily silicone therapy, gentle taping to reduce tension, strict sun protection, and smart bra support help them heal well.
If a scar stays thick, itchy, or keeps growing after month 3–4, your surgeon can add steroid injections, laser treatments, or other therapies to calm it down.
Scar Patterns: Lollipop vs. Anchor
Your incision plan depends on breast size, skin quality, and how much lift you need.
- Lollipop (vertical) scars: a circle around the areola plus a straight line down to the fold. Great for moderate reductions and lifts.
- Anchor (Wise-pattern) scars: lollipop pattern plus a short line in the breast crease. Surgeons use this when you need more skin removal or shaping. That crease scar usually hides well in a bra line.
Both patterns trade lines you can cover with shape, comfort, and skin health. The goal is to place scars where bras and swimsuits conceal them.
The Healing Timeline: What’s Normal at Each Stage
Weeks 0–2
Incisions look straight or gently curved, covered by tapes or adhesive strips. Edges may feel firm. Mild pink or red color is normal.
Weeks 3–6
Color brightens (often the reddest phase). You may feel “tugs,” itching, or little zings as nerves wake up. This is when you usually start (if your surgeon agrees) silicone gel or sheets and paper taping to control tension.
Months 2–4
Scars can look their loudest now, pink, slightly raised, sometimes itchy. This still counts as normal remodeling.
Months 6–12
Red fades to tan or your skin tone. Thickness decreases. Most patients report smoother lines and softer edges.
Months 12–18
Final look settles. Some lines become thin and pale; others stay a touch wider or darker depending on genetics, tension, and aftercare.
What’s not typical: rapid, lumpy overgrowth beyond the original incision, shiny thick cords that keep expanding, pain that worsens, or skin darkening with new blisters, call your surgeon if you see these.
Your Scar-care Routine
1) Silicone every day
Use medical-grade silicone gel twice daily or silicone sheets as directed (often 12–24 hours/day). Stick with it for 8–12+ weeks or longer if the line stays red or raised. Silicone helps flatten and fade scars by balancing hydration and signaling calmer collagen.
2) Taping for tension control
Hypoallergenic paper tape or silicone tape can lower pull on healing lines, especially that vertical line of a lollipop or the short crease line in an anchor scar. Your surgeon can show placement and how often to change it.
3) Sun protection
UV darkens scars. Cover with clothing and apply SPF 30+ on healed skin for a full 12 months. Sports bras and swim pieces with higher coverage help outside.
4) Scar massage (only when cleared)
At the right time (often after week 4–6), gentle circular massage 2–5 minutes/day softens thick spots. Don’t massage open or scabby areas.
5) Smart support
A non-underwire support bra for 6–8 weeks limits bounce and shear. After clearance, you can trial underwire slowly and watch for rubbing along the fold.
Not sure when to switch bras or ramp activity?
Our breast reduction recovery week-by-week guide lays out the usual timeline for work, workouts, and bra changes.
Hypertrophic vs. Keloid: What’s the Difference?
- Hypertrophic scars stay within the incision lines. They’re thicker and pink, but they don’t grow past the edges. They often respond well to silicone, taping, and time.
- Keloids extend beyond the original cut, feel rubbery, and can itch. They tend to run in families and show up more in darker skin tones. They need earlier, more active treatment.
Clues you should check in sooner: the scar gets taller after month 2–3, spreads past the line, feels hot or very itchy, or keeps growing instead of flattening.
Treatment Toolbox If a Scar Misbehaves
Your surgeon will tailor care to your skin and timing. Common options include:
- Corticosteroid injections (e.g., triamcinolone): flatten thick or itchy areas by calming collagen overgrowth. Often done monthly for a short series.
- 5-FU or steroid + 5-FU injections: for stubborn scars or early keloids.
- Laser therapy:
- Vascular lasers (like PDL) reduce redness and itch.
- Fractional lasers (non-ablative or ablative) smooth thickness and texture later in healing.
- Silicone + pressure: silicone sheets plus a snug, non-irritating bra can help in high-tension zones.
- Microneedling (later stage): can soften texture when the scar is mature and fully healed.
- Surgery + adjuvant therapy: for true keloids, surgeons may excise and follow with steroid injections, silicone, and sometimes laser to lower recurrence.
Good habits that boost any treatment: no nicotine, steady sleep, protein-rich meals, and consistent SPF.
Anchor Scars: Special Tips for Crease Comfort and Camouflage
Anchor scars sit in the inframammary fold (IMF), a spot that stays warm and sees friction.
- Under-boob liners or bra liners wick moisture and reduce rubbing.
- Seam awareness: choose bras with smooth lower edges; avoid rigid wires until cleared.
- Gentle cleansers + careful drying after showers keep the fold happy.
- Silicone strips cut to size fit neatly along the crease under a bra.
Clothing choices that help early on: soft tees or camis under fabrics with seams, higher-coverage sports bras during errands, and swimsuits with supportive bands while scars mature.
What’s normal vs. call-the-clinic: quick checklist
Normal
- Pink/red color for months 1–4
- Mild itch as nerves wake up
- Slightly raised lines that slowly soften
- Small “speed bumps” where stitches dissolved
Call your surgeon
- Rapid swelling on one side, firm painful lump (possible hematoma)
- Spreading redness, pus, fever
- Thick, growing scar that extends beyond the line (possible keloid)
- Skin darkening, new blisters, or strong pain at the crease line with underwire
Bra Timeline and Scar Comfort
When can I wear a bra after breast reduction?
Right away, usually a surgical or soft support bra. Switch to non-underwire at week 2 if your surgeon approves, and hold off on underwire until weeks 6–8 (sometimes later). Always listen to your surgeon first.
Will underwire make scars worse?
Not if you wait for clearance, fit the wire correctly, and limit hours at first. If you feel rubbing on the crease line, change the bra or switch back to soft support.
Can I prevent dark scars?
You can’t change genetics, but you can block UV and use silicone consistently. For darker skin tones or anyone with a keloid history, ask about early laser or steroid if a line starts to thicken.
Clothing and Lifestyle Hacks that Make Healing Easier
- Two-bra rotation: one to wear, one to wash—so silicone and tapes stay dry and clean.
- Soft, breathable layers: reduce sweat and friction on crease scars.
- Nude silicone strips: hide under swimsuits and everyday bras.
- Anti-chafe balm (around—not on—fresh incisions): helps on long walks once your surgeon allows topical products nearby.
- Plan fittings later: get professionally fitted at 3–6 months when swelling settles for good sizing.
FAQs
How long do breast reduction scars take to heal?
They remodel for 12–18 months. The “loud” pink phase peaks around months 2–4, then fades.
What’s the best scar treatment for breast reduction?
Daily silicone (gel or sheets), taping for tension, SPF 30+, and smart bra support. If a scar thickens, add steroid injections or laser per your surgeon.
Are my scars permanent?
Yes, but most fade and flatten. Good placement means bras and swimsuits cover them.
I’m prone to keloids—what should I do?
Tell your surgeon before surgery. Start silicone + taping early, protect from sun, and consider early steroid injections or laser if the line begins to thicken.
Your 10-minute Scar Plan
- Ask your surgeon when to start silicone and taping; set phone reminders.
- Wear a non-underwire support bra 24/7 for 6–8 weeks or as directed.
- Apply SPF 30+ on healed skin daily for 12 months.
- Book a 3-month check to review scars; discuss steroid or laser if needed.
- Schedule a professional bra fitting at 3–6 months.
- Keep a simple scar photo log (monthly) to track progress.
If you’re still weighing costs and candidacy, see our breast reduction guide for must-ask questions.
Bottom Line
Most breast reduction scars heal predictably: bold at first, then quieter month by month. Keep your routine simple, silicone, taping, SPF, and steady support, and loop your surgeon in early if a line thickens.
With time and the right care, even anchor scars blend into the background of daily life while you enjoy lighter movement and real comfort.
