Unfortunately, the ability to not have liposuction scars has not been developed yet, which means that scars are inevitable whenever tiny incisions are made during a cosmetic procedure.
The good news is that your board certified plastic surgeon can take multiple steps to reduce the appearance of liposuction scarring and leaving you with amazing results. You, too, can take steps to improve the appearance of your tiny scars, such as using massage, silicone sheeting, special topical products, or even laser therapy.
Furthermore, when it comes to liposuction procedures, in particular, liposuction incisions are extremely small in the first place. And this means that your visible scars will be extremely small too.
Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect after your incisions from lipo have healed.
What Do the Scars Look Like After Liposuction?
Scars from liposuction are tiny scars. Furthermore, your plastic surgeon is going to do everything they can to make the visible scarring less obvious. That is, whenever possible, they will make their liposuction incisions in places where scarring will not be obvious.
For example, when tumescent liposuction is performed on the abdomen, incisions may be made through the belly button, beneath the bikini line, or in the pubic area where hair grows. If you’re having fat cells removed from your upper arms, incisions can be made in the armpit fold.
Even chin liposuction scars can be well hidden when the small incisions that are made behind the ears or in the subtle indent beneath the chin for chin liposuction.
How big is a liposuction scar?
How large lipo scars are will have to do with the size of the cannula. Most cannulas are just 3 mm in diameter. This means that the incisions made to accommodate the incisions heal these cannulas only need to be slightly bigger than 3 mm. In some cases, 4 or 5 mm cannulas may be used, but even then, you can see that only small incision sizes are required.
Ultimately, when you look at most pictures of liposuction before and after scars are barely noticeable. Rest assured, this isn’t a trick of the camera or the use of Photoshop. In truth, the surgical procedure of liposuction does not cause very visible or significant scarring afterwards.
Do Liposuction Scars Go Away?
The appearance of liposuction scars will never really go away. However, your plastic surgery scars will become less obvious with time during the healing process. Any type of scar will change drastically from its initial appearance after the incision is made. Right after cosmetic surgery, your scar tissue will be bright pink or red, and it may be slightly raised. During this period of your recovery make sure to drink plenty of water and get lots of rest. This will help to ensure you heal well.
A few months after your plastic surgery, this pigment and texture should start to disappear. Liposuction scars eventually fade to a quite light shade on most people and often blend in very well with the surrounding skin. In addition, most patients will see their scars flatten out and become even with the surrounding skin.
This can be helped along with scar tissue massage and a few other tips, which we discuss below.
How Do You Hide Lipo Scars?
Your lipo scars are going to be hidden already, for the most part, because your plastic surgeon will put them in unobtrusive locations on your body. Still, this will depend on where you have liposuction performed, and some lipo scars may be more apparent than others.
For any scars that are more obvious or for those where you would especially like to reduce the appearance even further, there are a few steps you can take.
Use a silicone gel scar treatment
Silicone reduces redness and makes scars fade faster over time. It can also help scars to flatten out. Whether you use silicone gel sheets or a silicone serum, you need to use it every day.
The silicone gel sheets must be worn nearly 23 hours a day (only take them off to shower). The serum must be put on twice a day in most cases.
Avoid sun exposure
Fresh scars after cosmetic surgery are likely to become more pigmented and raised when exposed to UV light (sunlight or light from a tanning bed). Even under clothes, be sure to wear sunscreen.
Try laser therapy
Laser therapy is often thought to be a scar removal treatment for scars that have become bad over time, but like the other tips we’ve offered, it’s really less of scar removal and more of a way to improve the appearance of a scar before it gets bad. You can discuss laser therapy options with your plastic surgeon or an esthetician.
As with any postoperative treatment, always discuss liposuction incisions scar reduction therapy with your plastic surgeon before jumping right in. You want to be sure that it will be both safe and effective. There is also a procedure called laser liposuction which is a lesser invasive primary liposuction procedure designed to be as non-invasive as possible by using lasers rather than traditional liposuction procedures.
Questions and Answers
Questions and AnswersDo scars from lipo go away?
Visible scarring from liposuction typically manifests as a small dot resembling a freckle. Usually, such scars gradually fade over six months, becoming hardly noticeable.
In rare cases, hyperpigmentation may occur at the incision site.
What’s better lipo or tummy tuck?
Tummy tuck surgery (abdominoplasty) excels in addressing surplus skin and weakened muscles. Conversely, liposuction targets stubborn excess fat deposits resistant to diet and exercise. Tummy tucks are more an invasive surgery, necessitating general anesthesia and a lengthier recovery for liposuction.
What are common lipo scars?
The primary form of scarring resulting from liposuction is referred to as dyschromia, which involves discoloration raised scars. Dyschromic scars may manifest in two ways: hyperpigmentation (darkened scars) or hypopigmentation (lighter, bleached scars).
Does liposuction cause keloids?
Although developing keloid scars are infrequent following a liposuction surgery, it’s essential to inform your physician if you’ve experienced keloid scars before. After your liposuction procedure, you’ll receive guidance on proper care for your incision sites upon returning home to avoid keloid scars.
Does liposuction leave scars?
Liposuction utilizes small, strategically placed incisions, resulting in tiny cannula scars that fade rapidly. Initially visible post-surgery, they discreetly heal over time.
Book a Liposuction Consultation With Dr. Schulman
At your consultation appointment, board-certified NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Schulman can discuss the liposuction procedure and how to manage liposuction scars. He’ll get a chance to examine the areas you’d like to treat and talk about how he can minimize the appearance of any postoperative scars.
Contact our office to schedule your consultation today.
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/liposuction-scars
