How Visible Is a Liposuction Scar?
No one wants to undergo surgery with the goal of removing excess fat and improving their appearance … only to come home with noticeable scars.
Fortunately, it’s now easier than ever for skilled surgeons to conceal liposuction scars extremely well — so that after just a few months, they’re hardly noticeable. You’ll be able to recover after liposuction with fewer fat cells and barely visible scars — for a stunning look you’re ecstatic about.
Below, we look a bit more into why scars occur, what liposuction scars usually look like, and the steps you can take to optimize the appearance of your scars over time.
Why Do Lipo Scars Happen After Liposuction Procedures?
Scars result from cuts or punctures to the skin, and this includes incisions made during liposuction procedures or other medical procedures. The process of scarring is a necessary one as your body attempts to heal itself. Essentially, collagen floods to the damaged area (the cut) and hurriedly attempts to rebuild the lost tissue, closing any and all gaps.
The difference between this new scar tissue and the normal skin you had in its place prior to the wound is that the collagen does not arrange itself in the basket-weave pattern of “normal” (non-scarred) skin. Instead, it arranges itself in one direction only, and this makes “scar skin” look different from the skin surrounding it.
The healed tissue is high in excess collagen and also functions differently from other skin. It is less flexible, less elastic, and less durable. Of course, it’s also less attractive to many people.
Does Liposuction Leave Scars? What Do They Look Like?
Fortunately, the incisions required for liposuction are very small. Each incision site is like a tiny hole. Furthermore, they’re never placed front and center. Rather, each incision site is strategically placed in a well-concealed spot on the body. For example, a chin liposuction scar can be hidden in the naturally-occuring dimple beneath the center of the chin and/or behind the ear.
This means that liposuction scars are hardly visible at all once they’ve completely healed. At the beginning, however, (right after your surgery) the liposuction incisions your surgeon made will be noticeable. Of course, they’ll be covered with bandages, but were you to examine them closely, you would see small reddish-pink marks.
In about a week, these small incisions will close up and will appear as a soft pink or purple color. The superficial scar tissue will be slightly raised and swollen. As the days pass, their color should fade, and the scars should flatten and begin blending with the surrounding skin.
Most patients can’t even find their liposuction scars after their liposuction recovery time has passed and they are fully healed.
Tips for Reducing the Appearance of Liposuction Scars After Your Liposuction Procedure
Very visible liposuction scarring is rare. Still, as a patient, there are steps you can take during the healing process to ensure that each liposuction scar you have is as small and unnoticeable as possible.
#1 – Keep your incision sites clean.
You will be provided with instructions on how to care for your incision sites. Be sure to follow these directives with care. Sleep and bathe according to these instructions, take any necessary medications as directed, wear your compression garments as directed, and attend all post-surgical appointments.
Furthermore, don’t hesitate to ask any clarifying questions before you leave the surgical facility or to followup if you run into any concerns.
#2 – Treat liposuction scars with silicone.
A silicone strip or gel hydrates the skin and keeps it moist. This reduces the amount of collagen needed in the area, which lets the skin breathe.
Without collagen rushing to the healthy skin tissue, a smaller initial scar is created, which is also flatter and softer.
#3 – Stay hydrated, and eat a balanced diet.
Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated with plenty of water will help your body with the healing process. You should avoid smoking and alcohol as well.
Moreover, stay away from super-sodium filled foods for a few weeks after your liposuction procedure. Large amounts of sodium can make your body retain water. Conversely, drinking more water (a balanced amount) will help flush out excess fluid from the body and reduce swelling.
#4 – Don’t rush back into exercise.
Exercise is great for maintaining your liposuction results, but don’t rush into your normal exercise routine before your incisions have fully healed. Your best bet is to simply follow the guidelines presented to you by Dr. Ramanadham.
Only she will know exactly when it is okay for you to start exercising safely again. Failing to follow her guidelines may result in straining or stretching your incision areas, which can cause your scars to increase in size, become distorted, or even open up.
What If I Start Developing Keloid Scars After Liposuction?
Infrequently, patients may experience a type of highly visible scarring known as keloid scarring. Keloid lipo scars can occur after any type of surgical procedure, including liposuction surgery. They appear thick and are noticeably raised with excess scar tissue.
Keep in mind there is a difference between hypertrophic and keloid scars. Notably, hypertrophic scar tissue tends to stay within the bounds of the original wound. However, keloid scars may grow larger than the initial incisions during the healing process.
If you experience keloid liposuction scars, it’s important that you contact your surgeon right away to discuss your options. Keloid scar removal treatments are available, including laser therapy. Again, these types of scars are rare, so laser therapy is rarely needed.
Book Your Consultation Appointment Today
Concerned about getting a liposuction scar after cosmetic surgery? Want to know more about laser therapy for lipo scars? Wondering about how to calculate the cost of liposuction? Contact our office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Smita Ramanadham. The new you awaits — call today!
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/liposuction-scars