Does liposuction leave scars?
Liposuction is one of the most frequently used cosmetic surgery methods for removing stubborn fat from the body. Small incisions made with very fine cannulas during the procedure are the primary source of liposuction scars. These incisions are typically quite small and often heal with minimal visibility.
At Maya Medical, thanks to our years of experience, we use meticulous and gentle techniques to make liposuction scars as unnoticeable as possible. We minimize the number of incisions during liposuction and speed up the healing process by preventing unnecessary tissue damage.
Liposuction scars may initially be red, pink, or purple; they fade over time and blend into the skin. Proper postoperative care and following the surgeon’s recommendations will minimize scarring. For patients at risk of keloid or hypertrophic scarring, comprehensive scar management with lasers and high-energy devices is performed to maintain aesthetic results.
As a result, liposuction scars are generally very small, manageable, and, for most people, not a cause for concern. With a good surgeon and proper care, aesthetic results can be safely maintained.
What do liposuction scars look like?
Scarring from liposuction is the result of small cuts made in the skin during the procedure. These cuts are usually less than 1 cm long and wide enough for the plastic surgeon to put in thin cannulas. Cannulas are tube-shaped tools that suck up and drain fat. This means that the thinner the cannula, the smaller the cut.
Liposuction cuts are made in the places on the body that are least likely to be seen. For arm liposuction, the folds in the armpit are used to hide the scars. For abdominal liposuction, the belly button, groin, or breast creases are used to hide the scars. After they heal, these small cuts usually look like freckles and fade over time, blending in with the skin.
Thanks to modern minimally invasive techniques and our experienced surgeons at our aesthetic clinic in Istanbul, liposuction scars are almost unnoticeable for most people and the risk of leaving visible scars is quite low.
Will liposuction scars fade?
Not every lipo scar disappears completely because scar tissue replaces normal skin and cannot be completely eliminated. However, their visibility can be significantly reduced after liposuction. In most liposuction cases, scars become almost unnoticeable after the healing process. Some patients even report complete scar disappearance over time. Lipo scars typically return to their natural skin color within about 12 months.
How long does it take for liposuction incisions to heal?
Usually, it takes about a year for the small cuts made during lipo surgery to heal completely. The time it takes to heal can be different for each person. This is because of things like genetics, skin type and pigmentation, the type of surgery used, and how the body heals.
Ways to minimize and treat liposuction scars
Applying the right care and treatment methods is crucial for ensuring your skin regains a firmer, smoother, and more aesthetically pleasing appearance after liposuction. Following your surgeon’s post-liposuction instructions is the first step toward optimal recovery and minimizing visible liposuction scars. These instructions may include wound care, medication use, and physical activity management.
Drinking plenty of water and keeping your skin moisturized during the liposuction recovery period helps the scar tissue adapt. Furthermore, using silicone gel sheets or silicone-based gels after the incisions have completely healed can stimulate collagen production, reducing the formation of raised, visible scars.
Laser therapy is an effective method for correcting scars left after liposuction. Lasers stimulate the tissue beneath the skin, encouraging cell regeneration and resulting in a visible improvement in the appearance of scars after just a few sessions. Cryotherapy is an alternative solution for hypertrophic and keloid scars. By freezing scar tissue, it promotes the reorganization of collagen fibers, helping the skin to appear smoother.
Furthermore, gently massaging the scar area helps soften and flatten the tissue. Massage also helps maintain skin elasticity by preventing scars from adhering to the underlying muscles and tissues. A balanced diet, gentle exercise, and protection from UV light at home also help reduce the visibility of scars.
Our experienced staff at Maya Medical will help you manage your liposuction scars by showing you before and after photos and monitoring your recovery. This will help minimize scarring and keep your skin looking smooth and natural.
