Can Breast Augmentation Cause Stretch Marks?
Thu 12th Jun 2025
Getting stretch marks after Breast Augmentation Surgery is possible, but it is relatively uncommon. Surprisingly, the likelihood of getting stretch marks depends more on your genetics than the size of your implants. Additionally, you may risk developing stretch marks if you fail to follow your pre- and post-operative care instructions. (We will explain below.)
When discussing stretch marks and Breast Augmentation, it must be noted that many women already have stretch marks before implant surgery. These stretch marks can cause the skin to be quite wrinkled and loose. In these situations, it’s extremely unlikely that they will go on to develop stretch marks after surgery. Typically, the skin looks better after surgery as it has been pulled tighter and, therefore, looks much smoother.
What Causes Stretch Marks?
Stretch marks (striae) are scars that appear on your skin when it rapidly stretches. Essentially, the skin is forced to stretch far quicker than it can naturally accommodate, so it starts to tear. The skin’s collagen and elastin basically rupture. (Collagen provides strength, structure and support to your skin, while elastin allows your skin to stretch.) The skin’s wounds now need to undergo the healing process.
Just like any skin wound, early stretch marks appear bright red and are very noticeable. As these wounds start to heal, as with any scar, they will fade to pale white lines after many months (usually over 12 months). However, that segment of scarred skin has now lost much of its elasticity and has more surface area than it needs, and if that region loses volume, it will appear quite wrinkly. A typical example is the abdominal wall of many women after pregnancy.
Factors That Do (and Do Not) Increase The Risk Of Stretch Marks After Breast Augmentation
While the most significant factor determining your likelihood of developing stretch marks is your genetic predisposition, other factors can increase the risk of stretch marks, such as:
Breast implants before pregnancy: If you have implants placed before pregnancy, you have already stretched the skin to accommodate the implants. Therefore, while a subsequent pregnancy may result in the development of breast stretch marks, this is not because you already have implants in place. This is based on the understanding that you have waited at least six months from the time of your breast augmentation before becoming pregnant. Once your breast implant results have fully settled, typically six months later, the breast skin has now comfortably stretched into its new and relaxed size.
Certain Racial Backgrounds: Some people of certain races have chest walls and breast skin that is typically very thick and tense with minimal natural ability to stretch. This is often found in individuals who are Black, Hispanic, East Asian or South Asian, and these women are, therefore, more likely to develop stretch marks.
Pre-existing stretch marks: If you have experienced breast stretch marks during puberty or your pregnancy, your likelihood of getting additional stretch marks with implants decreases.
How to Prevent Stretch Marks
The best way to prevent stretch marks is to avoid dramatic weight changes—with or without breast implants. Maintaining a healthy, regular weight strengthens your skin, which will help avoid developing stretch marks. However, there are other things you can do, such as:
- Eat nutrient-rich foods – Foods rich in zinc, protein and vitamins C, D, and E can help prevent stretch marks by boosting skin health and elasticity.
- Moisturise – Skin is more likely to develop stretch marks if it is dry. We recommend moisturising your skin twice daily, starting one to two weeks before surgery and continuing for the first three months after surgery.
- Hydrate – Drinking enough water will keep your skin hydrated and soft. Soft skin doesn’t tend to develop stretch marks like dry skin.
- Wearing good supportive bras – If you always support your breasts with well-fitted bras, then you will reduce the weight of the implants along your underboob region. By doing this, especially during the first six months after breast implant surgery, you are further reducing the chance of developing stretch marks.
Do Stretch Marks Fade Over Time?
Like any scar, stretch marks don’t disappear completely but fade over time. Initially, they are bright red, brown or purple, but over time, they fade into a light white colour after about six months. However, the time it takes for them to fade depends on factors such as your genetics, skin tone and location of the stretch marks.
