Breast lift

Scarless Mastopexy? We reveal the secret

15 June, 2024 · Updated on 7th October 2026

Updated on 7th October 2026 • Reviewed by Dr. Gustavo Sordo, plastic surgeon

When we want to correct the appearance of any part of our body through cosmetic surgery, the same question always arises: Will it leave many scars? Even if the result appeals to us, the mark it might leave on our body, especially when they are visible, influences our final decision.

To avoid any misunderstandings, it's best to learn about the different procedures performed by Dr. Gustavo Sordo , a plastic surgeon in Madrid who can guarantee a job well done. You can see his before-and-after mastopexy cases.

Before the consultation, you can see real cases according to your breast type and compare the simulation with the result obtained.

Mastopexy and scars

One of the most common plastic surgery procedures is mastopexy . This procedure aims to reshape and lift the breasts of women whose breasts have lost firmness over the years due to weight loss and gain or hormonal changes.

There are three different techniques that can be used to perform a mastopexy . Each one will leave different marks on the woman's body, a fact that is also directly related to the amount of revision work that needs to be done on the patient's breasts.

We can differentiate between:

Mastopexy around the areola for minimal scarring

This technique is used when breast sagging is mild . In it, the surgeon makes a circular incision around the areola, removing the skin between the areola and the incision.

There are times when this operation includes part of the areola because the aim is to reduce its size and give it a more youthful appearance.

Once the tissue is removed, the wound is closed like a bag to lift the breast. The scar from this type of procedure is minimal and is concentrated in the nipple area.

Conclusion

When we decide to undergo cosmetic surgery, one of the main concerns that arises is the impact that scars can leave on our bodies, especially if they are visible. It's natural to want to achieve an aesthetically pleasing result without the surgical scars being a constant worry. Mastopexy , a common procedure to lift and reshape the breasts, is a clear example of how the technique used can influence the type and extent of the scars.

There are different techniques for performing a mastopexy, ranging from those that leave minimal scarring around the areola to those that, when treating more pronounced breast sagging, leave more noticeable scars. It's important to keep in mind that the greater the breast sagging, the more extensive the procedure will be, and therefore, the more visible the scars will be. However, an experienced plastic surgeon, like Dr. Gustavo Sordo , has the necessary skills to minimize the visual impact of these scars and ensure satisfactory results.

It's essential to discuss mastopexy scars openly during the consultation, as they are the price of achieving the desired shape: in this type of surgery, the scar is traded for the desired shape, and the greater the sagging, the larger the scar will need to be. What we can choose, however, is to avoid forcing certain patterns : attempting a periareolar incision in cases of significant ptosis often results in a widened scar and a deformed areola, far worse than a well-executed vertical incision.

Our care protocol is consistent: silicone gel or sheet, retinoic acid —which we use systematically because it accelerates scar maturation—and strict sun protection during the first year , because sun exposure on an immature scar causes hyperpigmentation that is difficult to reverse. If, despite everything, the scar remains thickened or reddened, we consider laser treatment after 2-3 months. And a realistic expectation: mastopexy scars improve significantly between six months and one year, so it shouldn't be judged before then.