Liposuction is a procedure that involves suctioning out fat from an area of your body through tiny incisions in the skin. But the real question is, does it leave behind liposuction scars?
In This Article
Can Liposuction Cause Scars?
Yes. Liposuction can cause scarring. However, it depends on multiple factors. They include ( 1 ):
- Genetic Factors: Some people tend to develop scars easily than others.
- Age: With age, the natural healing ability of the skin declines. This may lead to improper scar healing.
- Skin Color: People with a darker skin tone may experience hyperpigmentation at the incision site, which may become darker because of excess melanin.
- Sun Exposure: Frequent sun exposure can interfere with the healing process and cause hyperpigmentation and visible scars.
- Other Factors: Some people tend to develop keloid scars. It happens when the body produces excess collagen, leading to a raised scar on the incision site. Discuss with the surgeon beforehand to avoid keloid scars.
- Poor Incisions: Poor placement of incisions may cause visible scars.
- Over Liposuction: Multiple liposuction sessions and puncturing the same spot several times or in the vicinity of another incision may leave behind scars.
The size of the incision also matters. For instance, if you are undergoing chin liposuction, it requires around a 1mm incision, which is extremely small and does not cause visible scarring. Moreover, if your skin is less elastic, it may develop scars while healing.
Charlene, a blogger, shared her experience with liposuction surgery in her blog. She said, “There will be scar post Liposuction surgery, approximately 1 cm and usually it will be hidden at the bikini line ( i ).” She added, “But for sure, my thighs are now with better shape and they would look better if I could push myself a little harder doing more exercise.”
Scarring is a sign of the skin’s natural wound healing process, and all these factors influence it. Each case and procedure is unique, and it is best to discuss with the doctor about the possibility of scarring and ways to avoid them.
There are several approaches to liposuction scar management. Let’s take a look at them.
Key Takeaways
- Liposuction can leave behind scars, depending on genetic factors, age, sun exposure, and more.
- You can use home remedies, chemical peels, and cryotherapy to reduce liposuction scars.
- Maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water after liposuction to avoid scarring.
Liposuction Scar Management
Though liposuction-related scars fade and reduce overtime, there are two ways of effective liposuction scar management:
Non-Surgical Scar Reduction And Removal Methods
1. At-Home Treatments
These treatments promote better-wound healing and collagen synthesis, reducing the chances of scarring. Vegetable oils like sunflower, sea buckthorn, olive, coconut, argan, rapeseed, rosehip seed, and avocado oils contain linoleic acid that promotes skin barrier repair and stimulates dermal reconstruction by producing collagen ( 3 ), ( 4 ). Anything that moisturizes the area well heals it better with lesser chance of scarring.
These ingredients keep the skin moisturized and improve its elasticity, which is crucial during wound healing. Applying silicone gel and vitamin C also improves the appearance of fine surgical scars ( 5 ).
2. Silicone Gel Sheets
Silicone gel and gel sheets are prescribed by the surgeon for post-operative wound healing. Hydration is crucial for proper wound healing. If your skin is dehydrated , the keratinocytes in the skin layer produce cytokines, which signal the fibroblasts to produce excessive collagen, causing raised scars.
Silicone gel sheets provide proper occlusion and hydration, creating a moisture barrier to prevent the skin from overcompensating with excessive collagen production and scarring ( 6 ).
3. Chemical Peels
Chemical peels can help fade hyperpigmented scars. This is an in-office procedure performed by doctors and trained aestheticians. Usually, they use different concentrations of alpha-hydroxy acids and retinoids to remove the outermost layer of the skin and improve the texture. The strength of the peels depends on the severity of the scars and your skin type.
Care and precautions must be taken before performing a chemical peel procedure, as everyone’s skin responds differently to this procedure. Redness in the treated area is a common side effect of this treatment, which goes away after a few days.
4. Microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion
is performed by dermatologists. They use a small device with a microcrystal tip to remove the outermost layer of the skin, revealing smooth and bright skin. This procedure encourages healthy collagen and elastin fiber production in the area to fade mildly pigmented flat scars.
In the report conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons for 2025, microdermabrasion emerged as a popular choice, with 522,693 procedures performed. Interestingly, 81% of these procedures were carried out on female patients, while males accounted for 19%.
5. Cryotherapy
Another technique that plastic surgeons use for effective keloid scar reduction is cryotherapy. It uses nitrogen gas to pierce the scar tissue and freeze it from inside out. As a result, the scar swells up, releases its discharge, and then begins to fade. Many plastic surgeons prefer it because it is simple, quick, and easily performed as an outpatient procedure without hospital stay or admission ( 7 ).
6. Laser Therapy
An effective way to reduce post-liposuction scars is laser therapy. The laser beams improve the texture and appearance of scars, including hypertrophic and keloid scars ( 8 ). Laser therapy is a simple procedure, causes very little discomfort or pain, and recovery is quick. Microneedling with radiofrequency or fractional CO2 laser is quite helpful in reducing scars up to 70-80%.
Surgical Scar Removal Methods
Surgical scar removal method or scar revision surgery is performed on large, severe, and visible scars. It attempts to make the scar less prominent and blend it with the surrounding skin. Liposuction does not cause major scarring, so you may not need a surgical procedure for scar management.
However, it is better to discuss it with the plastic surgeon and decide after proper evaluation. They perform a thorough physical evaluation to determine if you are an ideal candidate for liposuction surgery. Follow-up appointments after the surgery also allow your surgeon to monitor your scars.
The doctor may ask for your past medical and surgical history to get an idea about your body’s scarring nature and determine if you will develop a scar after liposuction surgery.
To avoid the formation of liposuction scars, it’s crucial to learn about how to prevent scarring through proper wound care and treatment. Once you have undergone surgery, you have to follow post-operative guidelines to minimize the chances of scarring and promote better wound healing. Your doctor will give you a list of dos and don’ts to follow. Other than that, you may keep in mind the following points.
Tips To Prevent Scar Formation Following Liposuction Surgery
- Avoid Excessive UV Exposure: It is because sun exposure can increase the chances of hyperpigmentation on early scars ( 9 ). If you had liposuction surgery on the chin or other area that might be exposed, keep them covered and wear sunblock.
- Moisturize Well: Look for thick hydrating moisturizers with ceramides, squalene, petrolatum, fatty acids, and oils.
- Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated from the inside is as crucial as topical hydration. Drink plenty of water to prevent the skin tissue from drying out. Otherwise, it may worsen the scars. Also, apply moisturizers containing shea butter, coconut oil, and other plant oils to maintain the skin hydration levels.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking delays the wound healing process. Nicotine in tobacco is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it reduces the oxygen and nutrient flow to the tissues, hindering their repair and regeneration capacity ( 10 ).
- Limit Alcohol Consumption: Alcohol impairs wound healing and may increase the chances of infection. It may also hamper collagen production and prevent wound closure ( 11 ).
- Eat Healthy: Following any procedure, surgery, or disease, healing and a recovering body need a healthy, nutritious diet. This applies to liposuction as well. Consume balanced and nutritious foods and limit your consumption of sugars and junk food. This will help your skin recover fast.
Alternatives To Liposuction
Liposuction may not be everyone’s preferred method of fat removal. Here are some non-invasive alternatives your doctor may suggest:
- CoolSculpting: A non-invasive procedure that requires using controlled cooling to target and freeze fat cells from stubborn areas.
- Kybella (deoxycholic acid): A treatment where a synthetic form of deoxycholic acid is injected beneath the chin to reduce excess fat.
- UltraShape: A procedure that Uutilizes ultrasound energy to selectively target and break down stubborn fat cells.
It is important to note that the suitability depends on individual needs. Hence, consult a healthcare professional to understand the best treatment for you.
Liposuction scars are uncommon, and everyone who undergoes this procedure would not get scars. Though these scars fade away over time, there may be some rare cases where these do not completely fade away. In such cases, we can manage these scars by opting for either non-surgical or surgical scar removal methods. These methods include chemical peels, silicone gel sheets, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, and other topical ointments. However, liposuction is generally considered a safe cosmetic procedure and leaves minimal scarring. You may discuss it with your doctor to ensure better scar management.
What do liposuction scars look like?
Liposuction scars will appear as small dots barely visible to the eye. The length of the scar varies from 1mm to 6mm.
How long does it take for scar tissue to heal after liposuction?
It may take between 4 to 8 weeks for the scar to heal. While scars may not go away completely, they improve in appearance and become less noticeable over time.
Watch the following video to discover effective products and strategies for managing liposuction scars. It sheds light on how these scars can fade over time, and heal properly.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze’s articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
(i). GRAND Plastic Surgery Korea : My Liposuction Review with Before & AfterPhotos https://im-chacha.blogspot.com/2015/11/grand-plastic-surgery-korea-my.html
References
- Unfavourable outcomes of liposuction and their management https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3901919/
- The History of Liposuction https://cdn.mdedge.com/files/s3fs-public/issues/articles/vol28_i4_History_Lipo.pdf
- Rosehip Oil Promotes Excisional Wound Healing by Accelerating the Phenotypic Transition of Macrophages https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30199901/
- Vegetable butters and oils in skin wound healing: Scientific evidence for new opportunities in dermatology https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31657094/
- Improved scar appearance with combined use of silicone gel and vitamin C for Asian patients: a comparative case series https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24091488/
- The Use of Silicone Adhesives for Scar Reduction https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4486716/
- Intralesional cryotherapy for hypertrophic scars and keloids: a review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5965337/
- Laser Revision Of Scars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539686/
- Skin Wound Healing: An Update on the Current Knowledge and Concepts https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/454919
- Smoking and wound healing https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1323208/
- Factors Affecting Wound Healing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2903966/
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You must have seen so many ingredients that become a rage all of a sudden and become a staple in our skin care routine. Terminalia chebula is one such ingredient. There are multiple ways to use chebula for skin-related issues, the most popular is to add it to various natural remedies. Skin care enthusiasts swear by this ingredient for its immense skin benefits. So, what makes it so effective and beneficial? Is it really worth all the attention it is getting? Keep reading to find out.
What Is It? An evergreen plant in South Asia belonging to the Combretaceae family and bearing fruits with medicinal properties.
What Are Its Benefits? It may help delay aging signs, moisturize and strengthen the skin barrier, and improve its appearance.
Who Can Use It? Anyone who is not allergic to it can use it.
How Often? It can be applied twice a day.
Caution No major side effects are known yet, but best to conduct a patch test before use..
In This Article
Terminalia Chebula: A Brief Background Of The Miracle Berry
Terminalia chebula belongs to the Combretaceae family. It is an evergreen plant native to the wild forests of South Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, and others. The Terminalia chebula fruit also goes by the name of Haritaki, Bihara, Harada, and Chebulic myrobalan.
The Terminalia chebula fruit is small, ribbed, and nut-like with an elliptical or ovoid shape. It is typically plucked for use when green but acquires a distinct yellow to brownish-orange shade when unpicked. Beneath the firm and fleshy layers of the fruit rests a single-angled stone that bears a convoluted and abrasive surface.
The fruit has been used for centuries as an active ingredient in the treatment of chronic ulcers, heart ailments, and dental caries. The Thai alternative medicine uses chebula for curing skin conditions and promoting wound healing.
In India, Ayurveda hails chebula as the king of medicine. In fact, it is one of the ingredients of Triphala – a common Ayurvedic herb that finds diverse uses in strengthening and nourishing the body. So it is regarded as a potent herbal medicine.
Key Takeaways
- Thai alternative medicine and Ayurveda support the claims of Terminalia chebula berries aiding wound healing and managing skin conditions.
- These berries are said to have anti-aging and moisturizing properties and enhance the appearance of the skin.
- Chebula berries can be added to face packs or are also available in the form of pills, serums, and powders.
Benefits Of Chebula For The Skin
The cosmetic use of Terminalia chebula does not enjoy a body of scientific research and trials. However, several small-scale studies, preliminary research, and anecdotal claims support the use of this fruit.
1. May Help Slow Down Skin Aging
Chebula has powerful antioxidant properties. It contains bioactive compounds like glutathione i A substance produced by the liver involved in many body processes like tissue building, protein-making, and immune system support. , superoxide dismutase i An enzyme found in all living cells that helps break down reactive oxygen molecules, potentially preventing tissue damage. , and vitamins C and E. In rat studies, the fruit was found to neutralize free radicals and mitigate the effects of oxidative stress i A condition that occurs due to the overproduction of reactive oxygen molecules. Its effect on skin includes hyperpigmentation and aging. ( 1 ). Studies show that oxidative stress may accelerate skin aging ( 2) .
The effects of polyphenols i Compounds found in many plant foods, like teas and fruits, with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. derived from the Terminalia chebula extract were found to last long and be more effective than any other naturally occurring antioxidant ( 3 ). Polyphenols are known to protect the skin from the aging effects of UV radiation ( 4 ).
2. May Help Moisturize Your Skin
Skin hydration is key to younger and healthy-looking skin. Research demonstrates that chebula-based creams could boost skin moisture content and rejuvenate it ( 5 ). Another study found that Terminalia chebula fruit extract penetrated the inner layers of the skin and affected its complete architecture ( 6 ). This property may make your skin supple, firm, smooth, and promote natural radiance.
3. May Strengthen Your Skin Barrier
Skin care products containing Terminalia chebula improve the skin’s barrier function . The fruit extract shields the skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s UVB rays, which may help improve skin complexion. It also stimulates collagen production and increases the thickness of the cellular matrix for further protection. The fruit can effectively combat photodamage while also reinforcing the dermal layers ( 7 ).
4. May Boost Your Skin Appearance
Terminalia chebula can soften skin, even out its texture, and brighten its overall appearance. This is possible due to its ability to reduce inflammation and stimulate wound healing. Terminalia chebula fruit extracts were found to display anti-psoriatic effects ( 8 ). They could decrease skin layer thickening and improve the appearance of erythema i Abnormal skin redness with varying color and pattern, resulting from inflammation, environmental factors, infection, sunburn, or injury. , scales, and sores. The fruit may also reduce free radical production while leaving the normal skin architecture unaltered. Your skin appearance can improve as a result.
These are the important benefits of Terminalia chebula for the skin. But how can you make use of it?
How To Use Chebula In Skin Care?
Terminalia chebula fruit extracts are used as key ingredients in several serums, pills, powders, and tinctures. You can purchase them in the form that suits you best. Follow the directions mentioned on the packaging for best results. Alternatively, you can also get creative and mix some Terminalia chebula powder into your face pack to boost the overall effectiveness of your skincare regimen.
Terminalia chebula serums are the most popular of all forms. Here is a quick step-by-step breakdown on how to apply one:
- Wash your face with a gentle cleanser.
- Spray on some face mist or toner and let your skin absorb it.
- Apply three to eight drops of the chebula serum, spread it evenly across your face, and let it sit.
- Follow with a layer of moisturizer and some sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.
Kundalini Yogini, a Youtuber, shared her personal experience with Terminalia chebula, called haritaki in the video. She says, “Clean the body with haritaki. It’s a really nice scrub actually. If you’re into facials, masks, anything like this, you can wash your face with it every night and it completely clears the pores, cleanses the skin, and makes the skin very tight and anti-aging ( i ).”
Side Effects Of Chebula For The Skin
The safety regarding the long-term use of Terminalia chebula fruit or its extracts is not well researched yet. However, the fruit seems to be generally safe in its various forms and on different skin types. In fact, preliminary research, as discussed, supports the beneficial effects of Terminalia chebula on your skin. While more human studies are warranted, using it on your skin should be safe.
However, conduct a patch test before applying it to your skin. Consult your physician before taking it orally.
Summing It Up
Terminalia chebula is an herb used across various Southeastern countries for the treatment of various heart ailments and skin conditions. Anecdotal evidence suggests that using chebula for your skin is beneficial in various ways. Its antioxidant and wound-healing properties may slow down aging, hydrate your skin, and improve the appearance of your skin. A lesser known anti-aging herb , it is available in the form of pills, face powder, and serums. While there is limited research regarding the safety of chebula, conduct a patch test before applying it.
While the information on its side effects is limited, we suggest you do a patch test before using it topically. Regular use of this wonder fruit can offer you pleasing results.
Is chebula good for pimples?
According to Anna Chacon, Dermatologist, “Terminalia chebula, also known as “the king of medicines,” has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the number of acne lesions and soften and brighten the skin. Its antibacterial power also guards the face against unwanted bacteria that can cause more breakouts.”
Is chebula good for acne?
Yes. The extracts of Terminalia chebula showed significant inhibition of lipase activity (which plays an important role in the development of acne) ( 9 ).
Is chebula good for dark spots?
Chebula is rich in antioxidants that act against oxidative damage and free radicals. It treats several skin conditions like acne, pimples, and dark spots. However, limited research is available in this regard.
How long does Terminalia chebula take to work for the skin?
According to Anna Chacon, Dermatologist, “The topical use of chebula has shown effect within a week of use, in the morning and at night time. But like any other beauty product, effects vary from person to person.”
Illustration: Terminalia Chebula: History, How To Use, And Risks
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team
Terminalia chebula is a powerful medicinal herb with many health benefits. Learn how it can help improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity.
Personal Experience: Source
StyleCraze’s articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.
References
- Effect of Terminalia chebula aqueous extract on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in the liver and kidney of young and aged rats https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cbf.1581
- Oxidative Stress in Aging Human Skin https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4496685/
- Antioxidant activity of polyphenolic extract of Terminalia chebula Retzius fruits https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658365514000818
- Polyphenols: Skin Photoprotection and Inhibition of Photocarcinogenesis https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3288507/
- Formulation and characterization of a cream containing terminalia chebula extract https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22398922/
- A standardized Terminalia chebula fruit extract alters the expression of genes associated with skin architecture and barrier formation https://www.jle.com/fr/revues/ejd/e-docs/a_standardized_terminalia_chebula_fruit_extract_alters_the_expression_of_genes_associated_with_skin_architecture_and_barrier_formation_318673/article.phtml
- Ethanol extract of Terminalia chebula fruit protects against UVB-induced skin damage https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27222341/
- Terminalia Chebulanin Attenuates Psoriatic Skin Lesion via Regulation of Heme Oxygenase-1 https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/445645
- Inhibition of Propionibacterium acnes lipase by extracts of Indian medicinal plants https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22268921/
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Join the conversation and become a part of our empowering community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with other beauty, lifestyle, and health enthusiasts.
