Liposuction is one of the most popular, cosmetic surgery procedures that removes unwanted fat from the body.
Plastic surgeons perform almost 250,000 liposuction procedures in the US annually making liposuction one of the safest procedures used to help people near their ideal body weight reduce fat in the abdomen, sides, legs, male chest, arms, and chin lipo.
Anyone considering lipo 360 in Houston should have as much information as possible, including the possibility of liposuction leave scars. Below is more information.
Liposuction Scars
Liposuction is surgery that involves making small incisions in the target area. First, the surgeon inserts a thin cannula to remove the undesired or excess fat, then the incisions are closed with sutures.
Anything that makes incisions in the skin can leave a scar, which is true with liposuction incisions. However, it’s rare for there to be significant visible scars from liposuction.
A skilled plastic surgeon knows how to make the scars as small and unnoticeable as possible. For example, they will often place abdominal liposuction incisions as low as possible so they cannot be seen with clothes on.
After the surgical procedure itself, your surgeon will have you wear a compression garment over the treatment area. Wearing the garment for four to six weeks will reduce the chances of significant scar tissue.
In rare cases, a patient may experience hyperpigmentation on surgical scars. For example, one clinical study found that 1.3% of liposuction patients had more noticeable keloid scars. If your family has a history of developing keloid scars, you may want to reconsider having tumescent liposuction.
Also, keep in mind that your scars will be visible for the first few months. But as the body recovers, the scars will fade in most cases until they are hard to see.
HOW TO REDUCE LIPOSUCTION Procedure SCARRING
There are several scar removal treatments to manage liposuction scars:
Maintain Your Liposuction Incisions With Care
Your surgeon will provide instructions after liposuction to ensure your incision site heals well. It’s vital to listen to their advice carefully to decrease noticeable scarring.
For example, it’s essential to wear your compression garment to make your skin adhere to your new contours. Wearing the garment also will minimize scarring because the constant pressure makes the wounds close fully.
If you are tempted not to wear the compression garment because it’s hot or uncomfortable, remember that it is essential to your healing process.
Use A Skilled Plastic Surgeon
Check that your surgeon has a lot of experience with liposuction. Skilled and experienced liposuction surgeons know how to minimize scarring as much as possible.
Also, ask your cosmetic surgeon here for before-and-after images of previous patients to see how their scars look.
Consider Non-Surgical Options
Liposuction was once the only cosmetic procedure to remove unwanted fat. Today, there are other ways to remove stubborn fat, including CoolSculpting and SculpSure.
Of course, remember that diet and exercise are the most tried-and-true ways to reduce body fat.
HOW TO REDUCE EXISTING LIPOSUCTION SCARS
Already had a liposuction surgery and want to minimize existing scars? Try these methods:
Scar Cream
Some several over-the-counter creams and ointments may reduce minor scarring. Most liposuction scars are tiny, so one of these products may do the trick for tiny scars.
Check your local pharmacy for a scar cream that can reduce visible scarring of tissue on the skin surface. However, your dermatologist may prescribe a more potent cream that can reduce scarring even more.
Silicone Gel
This is a soft wound cover you can put over scars. The idea is to hydrate the skin and prevent the body from making too much collagen during the healing process. Scars form from excessive collagen production, so this treatment may make scars less noticeable.
Dermabrasion
If you have raised scars from liposuction, dermabrasion can smooth the outer skin layer and make the scar less noticeable.
Chemical Peel
A mild or moderate chemical peel can reduce raised scars, too. The healthcare provider puts a chemical solution over the scar, removed after a set time.
Chemical peels come in many strengths. Your doctor will choose the appropriate chemical peel, which will remove the top or deeper skin layers to reduce scars.
Laser
A high-intensity laser can reduce the color, size, and shape of scars.
Scar Removal Risks
You shouldn’t have side effects from over-the-counter products. But the procedures mentioned above can lead to additional problems in some patients:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Additional scars
- Scarring that gets worse over time
Keep in mind that scarring after liposuction is typical. However, if you are displeased with the appearance of your scars after several months of recovery, talk to your doctor about one of these options.
Most patients do not experience significant scarring from liposuction. This is because the incisions for the cannula are quite small, and skilled cosmetic surgeons know how to make tiny incisions that scar as little as possible.
However, if you have a history of excessive scarring from other surgeries, you may want to consider different ways to reduce unwanted body fat.
In addition to diet and exercise, there are non-surgical procedures to eliminate body fat, including CoolSculpting and SculpSure. These non-invasive procedures don’t offer the same dramatic results as liposuction, but there is slight scarring.
Questions and Answers
Do scars from lipo go away?
Do scars from lipo go away?Over time, liposuction scars naturally diminish considerably. However, for quicker liposuction results, consider laser therapy as a treatment option. Laser therapy stimulates new cell growth by targeting the fat cells and deposits.
How long do lipo scars last?
The extent of scarring varies based on the patient’s genetic predisposition to scarring and the surgeon’s types of liposuction technique. Those with a proclivity for post-surgery scarring may experience visible liposuction scars, which typically improve over six months to a year.
What gets rid of lipo scars?
Silicone gel and silicone gel sheets have gained popularity as effective home treatments for scar reduction. Clinical studies support their efficacy when used consistently and as directed, visibly reducing scar appearance.
What are lipo 360 scars like?
Lipo 360 scars, if they develop, are typically inconspicuous, resembling small dots or freckles that gradually vanish within six months.
What are hypertrophic and keloid scars?
Hypertrophic scars remain confined to the injury site and often improve with time, while keloids extend beyond the initial injury borders and do not naturally regress.
Histological analysis reveals hypertrophic scars typically exhibit collagen arranged in a wavy, regular pattern, whereas keloids lack a distinct collagen pattern.
How long does hyperpigmentation scars last
After identifying and addressing the root cause of darkened scars or patches, the fading process may require time. Typically, a spot slightly darker than your natural skin tone can fade within 6 to 12 months. Deeper skin pigmentation, however, may necessitate several years for fading.
REQUEST A HOUSTON LIPOSUCTION CONSULTATION
Interested in liposuction in Houston? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the benefits and risks of liposuction results to determine if it’s a good fit for your needs.
References
Liposuction Scarring Clinical Study. (2020). Accessed at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3901919/
Liposuction Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/liposuction/about/pac-20384586
Liposuction Scars. (2021). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/liposuction-scars
