Today in the United States, liposuction is one of the aesthetic surgeries that is most often performed, with more than 250,000 lipo treatments completed each year. This procedure removes excess fat from targeted areas of the body and may be performed on its own or combined with other surgeries such as a tummy tuck or thigh lift.
Questions about liposuction scars often come up during patient consultations, and many of them wish to know if they will experience scarring and if there is anything they can do to make them less noticeable. Many people have anxiety about liposuction scarring, so understanding what to expect can help you be more prepared for your surgery and your recovery.
Today we are going to explain how liposuction scars form, where they are usually located, and what can be done to reduce their appearance.
Does Liposuction Leave Scars?
Liposuction does leave scars, but they are usually small and can vary in how noticeable they become. Any surgical procedure that involves cutting through the skin will create a scar, and liposuction does require small incisions so the surgeon can access and remove unwanted fat.
All liposuction techniques use incisions that are placed near the treatment area, followed by a cannula being inserted through these openings to suction out the excess fat. This cannula is a thin, hollow metal tube that is connected to a suction machine that removes fat as it moves through the tissue.
Most liposuction procedures use very thin cannulas, which allow for smaller incisions, and the size of the scar is directly related to the cannula used and the location of the incisions. Skilled surgeons like those at Newvue Medical are very cautious to place incisions in the most discreet areas, such as in natural creases or skin folds, whenever they can.
Where Are Lipo Scars Usually Located?
The location of any lipo scarring you experience will depend on the areas being treated for fat removal. Every targeted location requires specific incision placement to eliminate the fat safely. Some of the different locations can include:
Neck
Neck liposuction scars are usually very subtle because removing submental fat often involves small incisions placed behind the ears and beneath the chin. The incision under the chin is usually placed inside the natural skin folds, and the others are created behind the earlobes, so they are fairly well hidden.
Arms
Arm liposuction scars may be hidden within the folds of the armpit or placed along the inner arm between the elbow and armpit. These scars are normally less than half an inch long and usually gradually fade to be very light.
Thighs
Thigh liposuction scars can be well-concealed in natural creases so they are discreetly located. Inner thigh lipo scars are typically placed along the groin crease where your upper thigh meets your pelvis, which allows the incision to remain hidden during your normal movements and while wearing clothing like shorts or a bathing suit. Outer thigh lipo scars are normally created near the hip bone or along the side of the thigh and are kept as small as possible. Sometimes incisions are made along the crease of the buttocks and are very well hidden in the crease.
Abdomen
Abdominal liposuction scars can show up in several places on your upper or lower abdomen, depending on the areas treated. Sometimes, a small incision is made in the belly button, and the fat is eliminated without any visible scarring.
Chin
Chin liposuction scars are usually very small and mostly hidden from view because they are most often placed underneath the chin in a natural fold. Sometimes, small incisions can be placed behind the ears, so any scarring is barely noticeable.
What Can Go Wrong With Liposuction Scarring?
Lipo scarring can be different for men and women because they have different types of skin, and surgeons also consider the placement of the incisions depending on gender and what types of clothing they usually wear that will adequately hide any visible scars. For instance, men often go shirtless in social settings, and surgeons take that into consideration when choosing the location for the incisions for liposuction. Men also tend to have thicker skin than women, but a skilled surgeon will be able to customize the incision placement for your exact anatomy, circumstances, and lifestyle. Both men and women usually end up with small, faded scars that are barely noticeable after they finish healing.
Some people worry about things like a botched arm liposuction leaving large permanent scars, but liposuction is very safe when performed by a qualified surgeon, and the newer, modern techniques used today have significantly reduced these types of risks.
What Can I Do To Reduce My Risk of Lipo Scars?
The skill of the surgeon and the location where the incisions are created will be the biggest contributors to visible scarring. How well you take care of your incisions as they heal will also make a big difference in your final results.
- Following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions and properly taking care of your incisions, like keeping them clean and dry, will help prevent infection and make the healing process go smoothly and without complications. Wearing your compression garments as instructed will help keep the treatment areas stable and keep the scars as flat as possible during your recovery.
- Applying the topical medications recommended by your surgeon can help reduce the risk of infection, which can worsen the formation and appearance of scars.
- Avoid smoking because it interferes with your circulation and slows the healing process.
- Avoid exposing your new scars to the sun because newly healed skin burns easily, and this can darken scars.
- Eating a nutritious diet can enhance your body’s healing process and enhance tissue repair. Also, staying properly hydrated helps your body flush out toxins and deliver the nutrients needed for your body to properly heal. It is also very important that you get enough sleep so your body has the energy to direct to the recovery process.
- You must also closely follow any physical restrictions given to you by your surgeon to avoid reopening incisions. You should also begin applying medical-grade scar gel to the area once your scabs have healed, which can reduce the chance of raised or prominent scars.
What Can I Do If I Have Scars From Lipo to Reduce Their Visibility?
Sometimes, regardless of the precautions taken, your scars may fade slowly, or they may be quite noticeable, but the good news is that there are some cosmetic treatments that can help improve their appearance.
Some non-surgical cosmetic treatments can significantly help fade the appearance of lipo scars and leave your skin looking clearer and feeling smoother. Chemical peels, microdermabrasion, microneedling with radiofrequency, and laser treatments can resurface the outer layers of your skin or target the deeper layers of your skin to rebuild the structure and create a clearer, smoother surface.
Two very effective treatments are Morpheus8 or SylfirmX, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate visible scarring by stimulating new collagen growth, which improves your skin’s texture from the inside.
Where Can I Learn More About Liposuction?
The expert team at Newvue offers liposuction procedures designed to remove unwanted fat and create smoother, more contoured areas of your body that slim down and enhance your appearance.
They will take the time to explain how liposuction works and the steps they will take to mitigate any scarring, as well as give you a clear picture of what you may encounter based on your treatment plan. Schedule your consultation today to learn more about liposuction, scar prevention, and advanced scar treatment options at Newvue Medical.
