Where are the scars after breast implant removal?
Removal usually reuses the original augmentation incision, most often in the fold under the breast, and a combined lift adds scars around the areola.
Explant surgery almost always travels through a scar that already exists. Most implants go in through the inframammary fold, and most come out the same way, which is why removal rarely adds a brand-new line to the breast.
Where the incisions sit and how they fade
The inframammary fold incision, hidden in the crease under the breast, is the workhorse of explant surgery because it gives the surgeon the widest view for capsule work; an existing fold scar is usually reopened and sometimes slightly lengthened. Periareolar scars from the original augmentation can also be reused for simple removals, though the access is tighter. When a lift is combined, additional scars around the areola and in a vertical line below it are part of the trade-off.
Scars are at their reddest around six weeks and mature over twelve to eighteen months, usually fading to a thin pale line. How visibly a scar settles differs between individuals with skin tone and healing tendency, and silicone sheets or gels can help during the maturation window. Reviewing your existing incisions with a specialist before surgery shows exactly which lines will be used in your case.
MediIndex articles are for general information only and are not medical advice, diagnosis, or advertising. Outcomes vary by individual — consult a board-certified specialist for personal decisions.