Casey Clark

Image Source: Getty / Sophie Mayanne Everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin. For many transgender men and nonbinary folks whose gender identity differs from the gender or sex labels they were assigned at birth, that might mean using binders to create the appearance of a flat chest or opting to undergo hormone therapy to develop more masculine features. However, another gender-affirming option is top surgery. Female-to-male (FTM) top surgery is a procedure that involves removing breast tissue and excess skin or fat and repositioning the nipples to create a natural-looking, flat chest area. "Some [people] want a flat chest that is considered 'masculine,' while others want a radical reduction that maintains the shape of the breast but makes it significantly smaller and with no ptosis or droop," says Alexes Hazen, MD, plastic surgeon and clinical associate professor at NYU Langone Health. (Breast ptosis, also known as sagging, refers to when the breasts rest lower on the chest.) While top surgery can be beneficial and gender confirming for those with access to it, like any surgery, it doesn't come without risks. In this instance, top-surgery scars are common and difficult to avoid. With that said, the visibility and prominence of scars can vary based on the type of surgery you get and the aftercare measures you take. To get a more comprehensive look into top-surgery scars, we asked plastic surgeons to break down this life-altering procedure and what you can expect after the surgery, from the scar size to the healing process. Types of Top-Surgery Scars Image Source: Keith Blechman of Blechman Plastic Surgery The type of scars someone might experience post top surgery will vary based on the procedure and technique executed by the surgeon. "Chest-masculinization procedures usually fall into two main categories: double incision or periareolar," says Keith Blechman, MD, plastic surgeon at Blechman Plastic Surgery, who specializes in breast reduction and breast-lift surgery. Types of Top Surgery Scars From a Double Incision A scar's size and visibility will also depend on the preferences discussed between the patient and doctor, as well as the size of the chest presurgery. "Double incision gets its name because one incision goes under the breast and one goes above the areola, forming an ellipse," Dr. Blechman says. "This approach is used to remove extra skin associated with large breasts." The double-incision approach (shown in the photo above) leaves a scar across the chest at the lower border of the pectoralis muscles. Types of Top Surgery Scars From a Periareolar Incision The periareolar approach does not remove any skin, so it's usually used for patients with smaller breasts. "The scar resides along the lower border of the areola - it's very inconspicuous and virtually 'scarless,'" Dr. Blechman says. Another consideration to keep in mind is the initial size of the breasts: if someone has a large chest presurgery, their scars might be more visible than someone with a small chest. What Happens to the Nipples After Top Surgery? "The double-incision approach requires the nipples and areola to be removed and then sewn back on," Dr. Blechman says. "This is called a graft." That means the nipple will remain intact during surgery, but where the nipple is placed on the chest afterward will be determined by the surgeon based on individual preferences and the breast itself. There is also the option to forego reapplying the nipples entirely, Dr. Hazen adds. In this case, the patient will only have the scar from the removal of the breast. That's an aspect to keep in mind when it comes to top-surgery scarring and how much of it patients are willing to tend to. Image Source: Courtesy of Keith Blechman of Blechman Plastic Surgery While it's uncommon, another risk of top surgery is the possibility of losing sensation in the nipple. According to the Gender Confirmation Center, those who smoke or have diabetes have an increased risk of nipple-graft failure. Ensuring you're going to a reputable surgeon with years of experience can help minimize that risk. How Do You Lighten Top Surgery Scars? For many trans and nonbinary people, scars can often trigger feelings of gender dysphoria, which means you may be interested in learning how to treat or lighten top-surgery scars. First and foremost, what happens in terms of scarring is largely a result of what a surgeon does during the procedure. "In many cases, we use dissolvable sutures and special surgical glue to help eliminate the need for sutures on the outside of the skin," double-board-certified plastic surgeon David Shafer, MD, FACS, says. "This helps reduce suture marks. The glue can also help reduce the tension on the incisions to help result in a thinner line for the final scar." However, there are some tips that plastic surgeons suggest to patients when it comes to tending to scars postop. "Having a good, healthy, balanced diet is paramount to healing," Dr. Hazen says. "Not smoking or vaping is also critical." In some cases, laser treatment - such as V beam, which helps reduce redness and promotes healing - can be utilized. "Other treatments, such as microneedling, can also be helpful and can be used in all skin types," Dr. Shafer adds. Additional products like medical-grade skin care and creams can help in wound healing. "One of my favorites is BioCorneum ($24), which has SPF and healing ingredients to help patients," Dr. Shafer says. Additionally, silicone scar sheeting can be helpful, especially if the incisions are raised or red. These work to increase hydration of the uppermost layer of the skin, which allows the skin to "breathe" and aid in producing softer and flatter scars. This is why entertainer and trans man Peter Petrella, who underwent top surgery a few years ago, says he took his postop scar care very seriously. "I was very meticulous and strict about my aftercare when it came to my scar-healing process," he tells POPSUGAR. "My surgeon gave me a product called Silagen, which I applied twice a day after my incisions closed to aid in the healing process." Silagen is a physician-exclusive silicone gel sheeting or silicone liquid gel that helps the skin heal and replace scar tissue faster than when left on its own. Can You Tattoo Over Top-Surgery Scars? The option to tattoo over top-surgery scars has become increasingly popular in recent years and should be done only once the incisions are completely healed. Depending on someone's goals postsurgery, tattooing can be used to camouflage scars or accentuate them. Petrella, for example, has gotten tattoos to draw attention away from the appearance of his top-surgery scars. He says he also plans on getting the scars completely covered in the future. "After the incisions are completely healed, medical tattooing is helpful to camouflage any areas and help with symmetry, if needed, for the size and shape of the nipple-areola complex and reduce the appearance of the incisions," Dr. Shafer says. Image Source: Courtesy of Peter Petrella When it comes to top surgery - and any medical procedure for that matter - it's important to talk to your doctor about what course of treatment is best for you. You'll want to go to a plastic surgeon who specializes in gender-affirmation surgery, like Dr. Hazen, Dr. Shafer, and Dr. Blechman. Your doctor is the only person who will have recommendations catered exactly to your needs, whether that's in terms of reducing the visibility of scars or managing postop pain and discomfort. - Additional reporting by Ariel Baker Ariel Baker is the assistant editor for POPSUGAR Beauty. Her areas of expertise include celebrity news, beauty trends, and product reviews. She has additional bylines with Essence and Forbes Vetted.

If you're debating whether or not to get an ear tattoo, take this as a sign. While many people have recently opted for finger tattoos (à la stars like Hailey Bieber and Ariana Grande) and others have gravitated toward back-of-the-neck tattoos, behind-the-ear tattoos are growing in popularity. They're easy to hide if needed (for work, important meetings, or just because) and fun to show off when wearing an updo hairstyle. With that said, there are a number of ear tattoo ideas to choose from, like nature-inspired motifs with celestial stars and suns to more modern designs featuring graphic shapes or dots. One of our personal favorites are ear flower tattoos, both in traditional black ink and color, because of how great they look with the natural shape of the upper ear. If the only thing holding you back is wondering, "Do behind-the-ear tattoos hurt?" we have some unfortunate news. This area of the body is known to be particularly sensitive when it comes to tattooing because the skin is very thin and the skull is close to the surface. However, considering that designs in this location are typically on the smaller side, it'll be over before you know it. If this is your first tattoo or you're a bit skeptical about making a permanent alteration to your body, you can consider getting an ephemeral tattoo. This "made-to-fade" ink lasts for about a year and gradually fades until it's no longer visible, leaving your skin good as new. If you need some inspiration for your upcoming design or you can't make up your mind on the exact placement (like an inner-ear tattoo versus one on the lobe), we rounded up some of the best behind-the-ear tattoo designs for you to browse. We've even got a couple inner-ear tattoos for you to check out.

You've probably tried your fair share of self-tanners at home before, whether that's for a wedding, a weekend getaway, or just to maintain a nice glow in the summertime. Many people love self-tanners because they're an easy way to achieve bronzed skin without leaving the house, but if you're looking for a fake tan that will last you a long time - say, for a weeklong vacation - then you may want to consider a spray tan. Spray tans performed by a skilled professional are the best way to fake skin-kissed skin - sans any sun damage. At the salon, your tanning artist will help you pick the right shade for you and then apply it using an airbrush machine for a seamless blend. Typically, you go home with a guide color on your skin that you can wash off a few hours later, revealing your new tan. But how long does a spray tan last? The answer really depends. To get to the bottom of this, we spoke with two tanning experts about how long spray tans last, plus how to prolong your results to really get the most out of them. For the scoop, keep reading. How Long do Spray Tans Last? The answer to how long does fake tan last depends on a variety of factors. "Spray tans usually last five to 14 days, depending on how well the skin is prepared and cared for after the tan," Veronique Munro, founder and CEO of Infinity Sun, tells PS. St. Tropez tanning expert Sophie Evans adds: "During the summertime, it sheds quicker because you're sweating, and you're in and out of swimming pools and the ocean." With that said, the formula that is used affects the longevity of the spray tan, too. Generally, formulas that offer more hydration to the skin tend to last longer. "Skin-conditioning agents, emollients, and humectants buffer the drying aspects of DHA (dihydroxyacetone), which set it up for greater longevity." Some key ingredients you'll want to look for when it comes to spray-tan formulas are hyaluronic acid for hydration and propanediol, which is both an emollient and humectant. Munro advises staying away from products that contain a lot of alcohol in the formulation, as they can dry out skin, which won't help preserve a spray tan. How to Make a Spray Tan Last Longer To prolong a spray tan, you'll want to make sure you properly prepare for your appointment and engage in the right aftercare process. You cannot maintain a long-lasting tan on dry, lackluster skin, so first, you'll want to exfoliate and moisturize well prior to your tanning appointment. This creates a smooth base for the color. In the days following your spray-tan appointment, be sure to keep the skin hydrated with an oil-free moisturizer. You should also take a break from exfoliating (unless using a very gentle method) for the time being. How to Keep Your Skin Safe With a Spray Tan Just because you have a spray tan doesn't mean you're protected from UVA/UVB rays when out in the sun. That means you're still prone to sunburn if the right preventative measures aren't taken. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using SPF 30 or above when out in the sun to protect your skin from harmful rays. If you're worried that it'll make your spray tan look patchy, look for an oil-free sunscreen that'll keep you safe from the sun without ruining your color.