When will Smart Lipo scars start fading?

After getting Smart Lipo, I'm wondering, how long before the scars from the incisions start to fade? Are they permanent?

3 answers to “When will Smart Lipo scars start fading?”

A: In general, scars will fade with time

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

In general, scars will fade with time. It may take up to a year or more to obtain your best results. We usually advise our patients to apply Vitamin E, Vaseline, Scar Guard, etc. It is typically prudent to use good sunscreen with a high SPF for three or more months. Very seldom, is scar revision required... more

A: Scar fading

Steven Wallach, MD

Like with any liposuction device the small "stab" incisions usually heal very nicely and take about 1 year for the redness in the scars  to fade.

A: Scars are permanent

Steven H. Williams, MD

Scars are permanent. Unfortunately there is no way to make an incision that does not scar (at least not outside of prenatal surgery). Once an incision is made a permanent scar will be the result. Typically scars mature over a six month period. There are treatments that can be used to minimize scars... more

Comments

dverebelyi
81 posts
16 Dec 2008

There are several different ways to make the incision for SmarLipo ranging from a traditional scalpel (tends to leave a little larger scar) to a beaver blade to adit which is usually made with a punch biopsy.  The beaver blade and adits tend to leave the smallest scars.  Also your skin type plays a role in how scars heal. Red or brown color is one part of the scar that is usually not permanent.  The redness tends to fade after one to two months, If it does not, Pulsed Dye Laser can be used to get rid of it quite effectively.  Brown is normally a sign of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (melanin laid down by the skin in reaction to trauma and UV light).  To prevent this use a titanium and zinc based sunscreen every day over the incision sites after the procedure.  If you already have this, IPL or CO2 resurfacing can be very useful in resolving it. Topicals such a silicone based products or Scar guard might be helpful but the evidence is not great.    There will likely be permanent, small (2-4mm) linear marks at each of the incision sites but remember scars tend to remodel for 12-18 months.  Even after most active remodeling is done they will still continue to lighten throughout life no matter how old they are.  If you are unhappy with the scars either Pulsed Dye Laser (for red, raised scars) or CO2 (older, white scars) can be very helpful during scar revision.  

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