Liposuction scars develop when small incisions are made to insert specialised lipo cannulas to remove subcutaneous fat. These incisions are no more than 5 mm long, and liposuction scars are very small and barely noticeable once fully healed. Surgeons at Centre for Surgery have years of expertise in ensuring liposuction scars are as small as possible and positioned in natural body folds where possible. Each liposuction procedure involves making the minimum number of incisions necessary to access stubborn fat, and these incisions are protected during surgery to ensure proper healing.
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Some people may be at higher risk of developing excessive liposuction scarring, such as hypertrophic and keloid scars. For these patients, we have specialised expertise in minimally invasive scar management treatments. Thanks to treatment with state-of-the-art technology such as Morpheus8, liposuction scars can become virtually invisible.
Why does liposuction result in small scars?
Liposuction leaves small scars because the surgeon needs to access targeted fat by making tiny skin incisions. All types of skin incisions result in scars. The purpose of the liposuction incisions is for the surgeon to remove the desired amount of fat effectively. Once the optimum amount of fat has been removed, the incisions will be closed with dissolvable stitches. After the procedure, the small liposuction scars may appear red and slightly raised initially. Over time, they will become paler and form a faint white line. At this point, they will be virtually invisible.
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How long do liposuction incisions take to heal?
Patients should wait at least 6 months for any liposuction incisions to fully heal. The degree of liposuction scarring will be determined by several factors, including genetics and your body’s normal response to surgical incision. The liposuction technique chosen may also influence the appearance of the scars. In addition, darker-skinned people may be at higher risk of developing excessive scarring. At Centre for Surgery, our surgeons have years of experience improving the appearance of liposuction scars. They will take every precaution to position the incisions in natural skin folds where possible. Smoother results are more likely when surgeons use a gentle surgical technique to minimise unnecessary surgical trauma. This helps to make liposuction scars appear as inconspicuous as possible once fully healed.
Do liposuction scars go away?
Liposuction scars can take at least 6 months to fade. It is essential to follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions to minimise the risk of excessive scarring and discolouration. Discolouration is more common in procedures which involve an aggressive surgical technique or in darker-skinned people. In a small number of cases, Lipo scars may develop hyperpigmentation. In other cases, scars may appear lighter than the surrounding skin, also known as hypopigmentation.
Less commonly, liposuction scars may appear sunken or atrophic due to loss of underlying subcutaneous fat. The most common types of scars are slightly raised above the surrounding skin and are known as hypertrophic or keloid scars. Hypertrophic scars tend to improve over time with attentive after-care. Keloid scars can be more challenging to treat. Keloids often extend beyond the margins of the surgical incision and may be purple or pink. If you have a history of keloid scarring from previous traumatic injuries to the skin, make sure to notify your surgeon about this at your in-person consultation.
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What is the best way to get rid of fibrosis after liposuction?
Fibrosis after liposuction is a fairly common side effect related to the body’s healing response, leading to localised areas of firmness beneath the skin. Extensive fibrosis is more likely to occur in those more prone to developing unsightly scars, such as hypertrophic or keloid scars. In these cases, we adopt a preventive strategy to optimise the appearance of liposuction scars using state-of-the-art scar management techniques, including Morpheus8 and laser resurfacing. Morpheus8 is highly effective in improving the appearance of excessive scarring by remodelling the collagen in the skin. This helps promote healthy skin renewal, with impressive results achievable after a few treatment sessions spaced 4 weeks apart.
What is the best way to get smooth skin after liposuction?
Getting smooth skin after liposuction can be achieved by following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions. Our post-operative nurses are experts in managing common side effects of liposuction. We recommend taking 1 week off work and continuously wearing your compression garment to help achieve smooth skin after liposuction. Wearing the government will help to redistribute existing fat cells beneath the skin. You should also avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight to minimise the risk of excessive scarring. Our nursing team is available around the clock for any questions or concerns you may have about your liposuction scars.
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You will be reviewed one week after your procedure, when your incision site will be reviewed. We also have access to the full range of scar management techniques to improve liposuction scarring using minimally invasive techniques. Massaging the liposuction areas may also help achieve smoother, firmer skin. Getting the best liposuction results involves eating a healthy and nutritious diet and staying well-hydrated. Physical exercise can resume once your surgeon clears you. This will help to improve your overall healing and recovery with minimal risk of excessive liposuction scarring.
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Liposuction at Centre for Surgery
Centre for Surgery in London is renowned as a leading centre for all types of liposuction, including power-assisted liposuction and 360 liposuction. Our specialist liposuction surgeons have completed years of training in the UK and overseas and bring the benefit of their vast experience to our patients to help achieve the very best possible outcomes. You can schedule a consultation by calling us on 020 7993 4849 and speaking to one of our patient coordinators, who will gladly assist you with your patient journey here at Centre for Surgery.
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