4 Tips for Scar Management after Breast Reduction

For women who have overly large breasts, breast reduction surgery can offer much-needed relief. Breast reduction surgery removes excess fat, skin and tissue from the breasts to alleviate the discomfort caused by oversized breasts and offers women a more proportionate look.

Although the majority of women agree that the dramatic improvements offered by breast reduction surgery far outweigh the inconvenience of scars, there are several ways that you can treat your scars to minimize their appearance.

1. Scar Massage

Massage helps to increase blood flow to the affected region and promotes healing.

  You can massage your scars as soon as your surgical dressings come off and the incisions are healed by gently moving your hands in a circular motion over the scars.


Scar massage can be done between as much as 6 times a day, for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.

2. Silicone Sheets

You can also apply silicone sheets to your scars for 6 to 12 months after your surgery to improve the skin’s appearance. The silicone draws moisture toward the scar, and this hydrating effect softens the scar and encouraging it to fade.

3. Compression Dressings

One of the biggest factors in scar formation is skin tension that occurs during the healing process, which can result in raised, darkened tissue. There are silicone dressing products that apply compression to the scar, which flattens and smoothes the tissue. You can begin using compression dressings approximately 2 weeks after your breast reduction surgery, as soon as the incision is clean.

4. Sun Protection

Exposing your incisions to UV radiation can encourage scar formation, so it’s very important that you practice good sun protection. Invest in special sun safe clothing that shields your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.