Liposuction Scar And Pigmentation Removal Prevention And Care

Hello, I am Dr. Sang-ju Lee, a dermatologist. As the season of exposure approaches, many people are considering liposuction for a great body. However, not a few people visit dermatology clinics with concerns about incision sites that do not disappear after liposuction, brown/black pigmentation, scratched or raised white scars, or depressed scars. Today, I will provide detailed information on effective customized treatment methods and timing for various types of liposuction scars.

Liposuction scars can occur for several reasons. The main causes are as follows:

• Suture site issues: Scars can form if the surrounding skin is damaged during the deep insertion and movement of the liposuction cannula through an incision of about 1cm, or if the sutures are not clean. In severe cases, pigmentation due to burns may appear.
• Skin tension: Scars are more likely to form in areas with high movement, such as skin folds or joints, where tension is applied to the skin. Elbows, armpits, popliteal fossae, and buttocks are areas where scars are prone to occur during the process of inserting the liposuction cannula.

Scar prevention management is important immediately after liposuction. Good early management can reduce the possibility of scar formation and positively affect treatment results.

• Incision site care for 7 days immediately after surgery: Since water contact with the wound can worsen it, it is recommended to take light showers after 3 days with a waterproof tape applied. During this period, it is advisable to avoid bathing as much as possible.
• Post-suture removal care: If scabs form on the wound after suture removal, the likelihood of scarring increases. Therefore, after suture removal, it is important to apply antibiotic ointment or attach a moist dressing like DuoDerm for 3-5 days to ensure the incision site heals well.
• Specialized dermatological treatment: If you are concerned about scarring, it is advisable to seek help from a dermatologist after suture removal. Preventive treatments to minimize scars, such as vascular laser treatment with Vbeam Prima or scar injections, can be considered.

Liposuction scars can be challenging to treat because their appearance varies greatly from typical surgical scars. However, with customized treatment tailored to the type and condition of the scar, significant improvement can be expected.

Brown or black pigmentation

When the liposuction cannula moves, friction can abrade the skin, causing pigmentation in that area. For pigmentation alone, laser toning using a pigment laser for 10 or more sessions is common. If it initially appears reddish-brown, it is often caused by blood vessels, so combining it with a vascular laser can yield even better results.

White scars

After the suture site heals, white scars may remain depending on the skin type. These scars can be restored to a color similar to normal skin through Pinhole Technique, which regenerates the skin similarly to healthy skin.

Red scars

During the wound healing process, blood vessels may proliferate to supply nutrients to the skin, leaving red scars. In this case, vascular lasers such as Vbeam Prima, which treat enlarged blood vessels, can alleviate the scars.

Raised scars (hypertrophic scars and keloids)

Hypertrophic scars or keloids may remain if tension is applied to the liposuction incision site, causing them to protrude. This is especially common in individuals prone to scarring, where the treated area swells.

For keloids that appear red, as they are caused by excessive vascular dilation, treatments such as Vbeam Prima, a vascular laser, are effective. White raised scars can be expected to improve with Triamcinolone Scar Injection, and for hypertrophic scars, the Pinhole Technique can rearrange tangled collagen tissue to reduce their height.

Depressed scars

If sutures are improperly done or adhesion occurs, the skin may sink, resulting in depressed scars. In such cases, Subcision can be considered to break the fibrous tissue within the adhered skin. Additionally, to effectively fill depressed scars, the Ultrapulse Encore laser, which has a more powerful skin regeneration effect than Fraxel, can be applied to the depressed areas to achieve satisfactory results.

In addition to professional treatment, consistent daily management significantly influences liposuction scar improvement. Several lifestyle habits can help with scar management.

• Avoid tight clothing: It is advisable to avoid tight clothing like skinny jeans to prevent excessive rubbing of the incision site.
• Apply sunscreen diligently: If the liposuction area is exposed to the sun, it helps to apply sunscreen carefully and frequently to prevent pigmentation caused by sun exposure.
• Abstain from alcohol and smoking: It is best to refrain from alcohol and tobacco as much as possible to help the wound heal well.
• Avoid strenuous exercise: Since tension on the skin can lead to more scarring, it is recommended to avoid strenuous exercise.

Some people may consider surgery to remove liposuction scars. However, scar removal surgery can create new scars in the process. Therefore, we recommend improving scars through laser or procedural methods rather than surgery. Customized procedures tailored to the type of scar can be expected to show noticeable improvement.