can breast implants remove stretch marks

Nearly everyone develops a stretch mark or two (or dozens) at some point in their lives, and we see many people at our plastic surgery practices in Huntersville and Charlotte, NC, who want to get rid of them. While these tiny reminders of pregnancy, weight loss, weight gain, or genetics can be troubling, you should know that many fantastic options can help! Following significant life transitions, like pregnancy, many women want to tackle stretch marks on their breasts with a breast augmentation. In this post, we’ll explain some of the root causes of stretch marks on the breasts and other parts of the body and answer one of our most frequent breast augmentation questions: can breast implants remove stretch marks?

What Causes Stretch Marks, Anyway?

Stretch marks can show up on anybody, but they more commonly appear on women. More than half of women who experience the journey of pregnancy and birth will get some stretch marks, which form as a type of scarring when your skin grows and stretches too intensely for it to heal correctly.

You’ll most commonly see them on the:

  • Stomach
  • Breasts
  • Thighs
  • Hips
  • Shoulders
  • Armpits
  • Lower Back

There are three layers of your skin: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Stretch marks form in the dermis, which is the middle layer. Often, stretch marks fade a little after they first appear. Although they don’t pose any health risk, most people don’t love the sight of them when they’re wearing swimsuit attire.

So what actually causes stretch marks? Well, basically anything that causes prolonged stretching of the skin. Note that stretch marks are more common among women, but men can get them, too, especially if they experience a season of significant weight fluctuation or even a growth spurt.

Some of the most common causes of stretch marks include:

  • Pregnancy
  • Rapid growth (during adolescence)
  • Rapid weight loss or rapid weight gain
  • Use of corticosteroids
  • Genetic disorders, including Cushing’s syndrome

The bottom line: Stretch marks can happen for any number of reasons… so what can you do to address them? And in particular, what can women with stretch marks on their breasts do? Can breast implants remove stretch marks? Will breast augmentation provide them with a smoother skin tone and a more desirable appearance?

If You Get Breast Implants, Can Breast Implants Remove Stretch Marks on Your Breasts?

Having breast implants placed during a breast augmentation procedure may not “fix” stretch marks, in the sense of making them disappear entirely. Since stretch marks are a form of scarring beneath the skin’s surface, they will not just go away. However, pulling the skin taut by adding more volume and shape to a woman’s breasts with implants will almost certainly improve the appearance of skin that’s displaying stretch marks.

The simple answer to this important question is that it really depends on the individual. Skin tone, health, genetics, and age all play a role in how easy it is to minimize the appearance of stretch marks. The best way to get a sense of your own possible breast augmentation results, and to learn if there are better non-surgical treatments to achieve your goals, we strongly recommend having a thorough consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon who has expertise in breast augmentation.

What About a Breast Lift?

Breast augmentation may sometimes be a good way to address stretch marks… but what about getting a breast lift?

Keep in mind that many women find themselves dealing with stretched-out, saggy, or droopy breasts, particularly following pregnancy or breastfeeding. Certainly, these major life changes can expedite the breakdown of skin tissue, and cause stretch marks to start forming at a rapid pace. And, nursing your baby can only deepen those stretch marks.

A breast lift is one of the best ways to reposition your breast tissue and regain your former shape and perkiness. And, because a breast lift involves tightening the skin, it can also help minimize the appearance of stretch marks.

When you consult with your plastic surgeon about removing stretch marks, ask about the merit of a breast lift. Often, your surgeon will be able to remove the stretched-out tissue and get rid of your stretch marks completely. But again, this all depends on the patient, and on the severity and the placement of the stretch marks in question.

Will Breast Surgery Cause Stretch Marks?

We’ve talked about the likelihood of breast enhancement surgery eliminating your stretch marks. Now, let’s consider the flip side of the question: Can getting breast surgery, and specifically breast implants, actually cause stretch marks to form?

The answer to this question is that yes, in some cases, getting implants actually can stretch out the skin and leave you with stretch marks. This isn’t the most common outcome, but it is something to be aware of.

A few things to note about stretch marks as a result of breast augmentation:

  • It’s important to know your body. Remember that some people are more or less prone to stretch marks, depending on their genetics. If you know yourself to be vulnerable to stretch marks, or if stretch marks run in your family, you’re probably in a higher risk group.
  • If you do have stretch marks following your breast augmentation, don’t panic: Often, these stretch marks will fade over the course of a year or two.
  • If this is a big worry, it’s definitely something you can talk through with your plastic surgeon, who may be able to recommend some ways to minimize your risk.

Want to Learn About All of Your Breast Augmentation Options?

H/K/B Cosmetic Surgery is one of the most trusted names in greater Charlotte and Huntersville areas, well-known for our commitment to patient safety, comfort, and aesthetic results. We offer a range of services to help you look and feel your best… and that very much includes treating your existing stretch marks.

If you’re interested in learning more about breast augmentation materials, techniques, and what your results might look like, please contact us or call (704) 659-9000 for a personalized consultation today! We would love to tell you more about breast augmentation in Charlotte, NC.