Can a Breast Lift Fix Stretch Marks on the Upper Breasts?
Stretch marks on the upper breasts are notoriously difficult to treat. If you are considering a breast lift, it’s natural to wonder whether surgery might take care of them at the same time.
The reality is that a breast lift can eliminate some stretch marks, improve the appearance of others, and leave some largely unchanged. Which outcome applies to you depends almost entirely on where your stretch marks are located.
Dr. Sharline Aboutanos breaks down what patients considering mastopexy in Richmond need to know.
Why Stretch Marks Form on the Breasts
Stretch marks develop when skin expands faster than its collagen and elastin can accommodate, leaving behind thin, scar-like lines in the dermis. On the breasts, this commonly happens during puberty, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and periods of significant weight fluctuation. There is also a strong genetic component. If the women in your family tend to develop stretch marks on their breasts, you are more likely to, as well.
Fresh stretch marks typically appear red, pink, or purple and may feel slightly raised or itchy. Over time, they fade to a silvery-white color and become more textured than the surrounding skin. Both stages can be treated, but the approach differs depending on how long the marks have been present.
What a Breast Lift Can Do
A breast lift, or mastopexy, removes excess skin from the lower breast and reshapes the surrounding tissue to lift the breasts to a higher, more youthful position on the chest. Dr. Aboutanos performs mastopexy to address sagging caused by pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight changes, and the natural effects of aging and gravity.
Because the procedure primarily removes skin from the lower breast and around the areola, it often can eliminate all or some stretch marks located in those areas. Marks that fall within the tissue being excised during surgery may simply be removed along with it.
“Dr. Aboutanos is an asset to the medical community. Her level of professionalism was outstanding. I am so satisfied with my results after surgery. She and her staff were outstanding.”
–Real patient testimonial for Dr. Aboutanos
The Challenge with Upper Breast Stretch Marks
Upper breast stretch marks present a different challenge. The skin Dr. Aboutanos removes during a standard breast lift comes from the lower pole and periareolar area, not the upper breast, so stretch marks on the upper chest and décolletage typically remain untouched during a breast lift.
That said, a breast lift can still improve the appearance of upper breast stretch marks indirectly. When the breast is lifted and repositioned, the skin of the upper breast will be tightened as some excess weight is removed and the tissue beneath it becomes more supported. In this way, the procedure could make existing stretch marks less visible—not because they have been treated or removed, but because your skin is smoother and better supported than it was before.
When Combining a Lift with Implants Helps
If you are concerned about upper breast stretch marks, combining a breast lift with implants may provide more noticeable improvement. When an implant adds volume beneath the breast tissue, it fills out the upper pole and tightens the overlying skin, which can reduce the visual contrast between stretch marks and surrounding skin. This may not fully conceal them—results depend on the severity and depth of the marks, skin quality, and individual healing, but Dr. Aboutanos may discuss this option with you if you are bothered by upper breast stretch marks and are also a good candidate for implant-based augmentation.
Non-Surgical Options for Stretch Marks
For patients who want to address stretch marks without surgery, or who want to improve remaining marks after a breast lift, Dr. Aboutanos offers non-surgical skin treatments that can make a meaningful difference:
VirtueRF Microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin production in the dermis, which helps remodel scar tissue over time and improve both the texture and color of stretch marks. The radiofrequency energy delivered during treatment goes deeper than traditional microneedling alone, making it particularly effective for the textural skin changes associated with stretch marks. A series of treatments spaced several weeks apart produces the most noticeable results.
UltraClear Laser uses fractionated laser technology to resurface the skin and stimulate new collagen growth, addressing both the discoloration and texture of stretch marks. Like VirtueRF, it works progressively over a series of sessions, with results continuing to develop in the weeks and months following treatment.
Neither treatment can eliminate stretch marks entirely (no treatment truly can). But both can significantly reduce their appearance and improve skin texture in the treated area.
Getting an Honest Assessment of Your Options
Because every patient’s anatomy and stretch mark pattern is different, Dr. Aboutanos will evaluate your concerns individually before making recommendations. During your consultation, she will assess the location and severity of your stretch marks, discuss your breast lift goals, and explain which approach is most likely to address your specific concerns.
One of the most important parts of any plastic surgery is setting realistic expectations for what your procedure can accomplish. Because of this, Dr. Aboutanos prioritizes listening and having an honest conversation first and foremost.
If you are considering a breast lift and wondering how it might affect your stretch marks, Richmond plastic surgeon Dr. Sharline Aboutanos would be happy to evaluate your concerns and walk you through your options. To schedule a consultation at her Richmond office, call (804) 355-3410 or contact her online.