Making incisions for aesthetic surgery always results in a scar being produced. Fortunately, plastic surgeons are able to place scars in areas of little consequence in most cases. All scars go through a maturation process, moving from red to pink to white over a time frame of 3-12 months depending on the thickness of skin and location of the scar. The thinner the skin, such as the eyelids and face, the faster the scars mature. In this area of the body, usually they remain thin and for the most part, unnoticed.

The scars that are the result of breast lifts and tummy tucks, tend to stay red for a longer period of time. It is usually 12 months to 18 months before these scars blend away into a light color. Tummy tuck incisions are quite low and well within the smallest of bikini lines. The incision is usually in what is referred to as to a flexion crease of the body and because of this, these incisions remain quite thin. Patients who feel comfortable in the smallest bikinis will be able to cover practically all visible scars. Some of the least desirable scars, that is scars that widen or take an inordinately long time to mature are often those seen in patients who have had extreme weight loss where the skin has been thinned or when there are scars such as a vertical up and down scar in the midline of the abdomen. Here it's important for the patient to discuss the appearance of these scars with their surgeon, so that the benefit of tighter skin can be weighed against a more visible or widened scar.

The bottom line is again, any incision is going will produce a scar. Scars placed in crease lines and in exceedingly thin skin end up optimally producing little noticeable deformity once the scars mature. Care must be taken in patients who have history of what is referred to as hypertrophic scarring or keloid scarring. These scar types are familial in nature and will be present within certain family groups. You should always talk with your plastic surgeon as to your family history as relates to scars specifically as well as all medical issues. Just remember that all incisions produce scars but fortunately in cosmetic surgery, they are placed in areas and in skin where usually there is little consequence.