How to Reduce Scarring After Getting Your Thighs Lifted
When you get a thigh lift, the main goal is to make your thighs look better by taking away extra skin and fat. This leaves your thighs looking smoother and more in shape. This surgery is popular among people who’ve lost a lot of weight or who naturally have loose skin around their thighs. Like any surgery, there can be some downsides, such as scars. In this blog post, we’ll go over some ways to help you keep scarring to a minimum after your thigh lift.
Here at Centre for Surgery in London, our skilled surgeons have more than 50 years of experience in the field of plastic surgery. They really take the time to understand your health and your personal situation. This way, they can advise you on whether a procedure is right for you, putting your well-being first.
RELATED: Surgical Solutions for Sagging Thighs after Weight Loss
Understanding Scarring After Your Thigh Lift
If you’re getting ready to have a thigh lift, it’s crucial to know that scarring is pretty much unavoidable afterwards. Scars form as a part of how our bodies heal themselves. Whenever the skin gets cut or injured, it patches itself up, and a scar is what remains. The way a scar looks can differ a lot from person to person. It can depend on things like your skin type, your family history, and even the way the surgeon makes the cuts during the operation.
In a thigh lift, the surgeon usually starts by making a cut in the area around your groin. This cut then extends downward and wraps around to the back of your thigh. The visibility of the scar can vary. It all depends on exactly where the cut is made and how big it is.
Though you can’t avoid scars completely, you can do things to make them less noticeable. Keep an eye out for our tips on how to do that!
Reducing Scars for the Best Possible Outcome After a Thigh Lift
Cutting down on scarring after your thigh lift is important for a few big reasons. The main point of getting this surgery is to make your thighs look better. If you end up with noticeable or bad-looking scars, this can really spoil the results you were aiming for. Scars that are too big or that cause discomfort can even make it harder for you to move around, affecting your day-to-day life and your ability to exercise. What’s more, reducing the visibility of scars can make you feel better overall about having had the surgery. As you get ready for your thigh lift, here are some things you can do beforehand to give yourself the best chance of ending up with minimal scarring.
How to Prepare Before Your Thigh Lift to Reduce Scarring
Taking steps before your thigh lift surgery can go a long way in reducing scars and ensuring a smooth recovery. These pre-operative measures set the stage for better healing and minimal scarring. Here’s a list of things you might want to consider doing before the big day:
- Keep Up Healthy Habits: Eating well, staying active, and drinking enough water are more important than ever. These healthy habits support your body’s ability to heal, which in turn can result in less noticeable scars.
- Stop Smoking or Vaping: If you’re a smoker or use e-cigarettes, quitting beforehand is strongly advised. Both smoking and vaping can mess with your body’s healing process and increase your chances of complications, making scars more visible.
- Guard Against Sun Damage: Sunburn or tanned skin isn’t just a summer nuisance; it can actually delay your healing process and make scars look worse. Always use high-SPF sunscreen and try to stay out of direct sunlight.
- Check Your Medications: Have a chat with your doctor about the medications and supplements you’re taking. Some meds, like those that thin your blood, might need to be paused before your surgery to make sure you heal well and don’t bleed excessively.
- Manage Skin Conditions: If you’ve got a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, it’s important to get that under control. These conditions could complicate your surgery and healing process, making scarring worse.
By sticking to these guidelines, you give yourself the best chance for minimal scarring and a successful thigh lift surgery.
RELATED: Thigh Lift (Thigh Reduction) Before & After Photos
How to Take Care of Your Scars After a Thigh Lift
Looking after yourself properly after a thigh lift can make a big difference in how your scars heal. By sticking to these tips, you can help your scars heal better and look less noticeable.
- Avoid the Sun: Sunlight can darken your scars and make them stick out more. Keep your surgical area covered with clothes or apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF to shield against the sun’s harmful rays.
- Eat Well and Stay Hydrated: Eating foods that are good for you helps with healing. Go for fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains. Also, drink plenty of water and keep away from smoking to aid wound healing and reduce scar visibility.
- Cleanliness is Key: Wash the area where the incisions were made carefully using a gentle soap and lukewarm water. Pat it dry softly with a clean towel; avoid rubbing or scrubbing as that can make things worse.
- Keep It Moist: Using a silicone-based gel on the scar can help it stay moist, which is good for faster healing and less noticeable scars.
- Be Patient and Don’t Pick: Remember that healing takes time. Avoid picking at scabs or poking the area, as you could mess up the healing and end up with worse scarring.
- Try Gentle Massaging: Once your doctor says it’s okay, lightly massaging the scar can help break down scar tissue and improve blood flow to the area. Just make sure you don’t press too hard or massage a scar that’s still fresh.
- Listen to Your Surgeon: Your surgeon will give you specific guidelines on how to take care of yourself after the operation. Make sure you stick to these directions and go to any follow-up appointments.
RELATED: Recovery After Thigh Lift Surgery – Top Tips
By keeping to these post-op care steps, you can boost your chances of minimal scarring and be happier with the results of your thigh lift.
Additional Tips for Scar Management After a Thigh Lift
After your thigh lift, you’ll be keen on making those scars as inconspicuous as possible. Alongside the pre- and post-op advice already given, here are some extra tips for managing scars:
- Use Silicone Products: Silicone sheets or gels are a good choice for scar management. They form a protective layer over the scar, which can help make it flatter and less noticeable over time. Always follow the guidelines given by the product manufacturer for how to apply and how long to use.
- Try Specialised Scar Creams: Some creams or ointments designed for scars have ingredients like onion extract, vitamin E, or aloe vera. These can be helpful in making scars less visible. Use them as Dr Carmen instructs to massage the scar gently.
- Consider Compression Garments: These special garments can help lessen swelling and boost blood flow, which aids the healing process. The gentle pressure they apply to the area where you had the incision can also help make scars less thick and discoloured.
- Ask About Laser Therapy: Our aesthetic practitioners can provide advice on whether laser treatment might be suitable for you. Laser therapy can target the scar tissue itself, stimulate the growth of new collagen, and help even out skin tone.
- Avoid Stretching or Pulling: Don’t rush into activities or exercises that might stretch or pull the skin around your scars. Doing so can make the scar widen or become more prominent. Be careful and listen to what your body’s telling you during the recovery period.
Each of these tips can contribute to a better, less noticeable scar after your thigh lift. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice tailored to your individual needs.
Top Products to Help Treat Scars Effectively
If you’re looking to give your scar treatment an extra boost, there are several products out there that could help. Below are some popular and proven options you might want to consider:
- Bio-Oil: This is a mixture of natural oils and vitamins that has garnered praise for its effectiveness on scars, stretch marks, and uneven skin tones. It’s a versatile product that you gently massage onto the scar twice daily for best results.
- Mederma: This is a gel you can apply directly to your scar. It’s formulated with onion extract, which has been scientifically proven to enhance the look of scars. You usually apply it once a day and can expect to see improvements over several weeks.
- ScarAway: This brand offers silicone gel sheets and creams that are aimed at making scars less noticeable. The silicone acts as a protective layer over the scar, creating the right environment for optimal healing. ScarAway products are generally easy to use and can be worn under clothing.
Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment to ensure it’s appropriate for your specific condition.
What do thigh lift scars look like one year later?
- Colour and Texture: Initially, the scars may be red or purplish and have a somewhat raised appearance. Over time, and especially by the one-year mark, you can expect them to lighten in colour and become less raised. They may flatten and soften, blending more with the surrounding skin.
- Visibility: Scars may fade, but they won’t disappear entirely. However, they often become less noticeable over time. The final colour will be closer to your natural skin tone, although it’s unlikely to be a perfect match.
- Placement: In thigh lifts, the scars are typically located in inconspicuous areas such as the groin or the crease of the buttock, which makes them less visible when you are standing. However, the length and visibility depend on the amount of skin removed and the specific type of thigh lift performed.
- Softness: As the scar tissue matures, it will generally become softer. This is a gradual process that takes place over several months.
To achieve the best possible outcome for your scars, it’s essential to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care guidelines. This may include using special scar creams or silicone gel sheets, avoiding excessive sun exposure on the scar area, and possibly undergoing additional treatments like laser therapy to improve the scar’s appearance.
Discuss any concerns you have about scarring with your surgeon during your consultation at Cetnre for Surgery to get a better understanding of what to expect and how to manage it effectively.
Questions and Answers about Making Thigh Lift Scars Less Visible
How long will it take for my thigh lift scars to become less noticeable?
The time it takes for thigh lift scars to fade can really depend on a bunch of things, like how your body heals and how well you take care of the wound. Generally speaking, you’ll start seeing a big improvement in how the scars look within the first year. That improvement should keep going for a few more months after that. But you should know that it can take up to 18 months or even longer for the scar to mature fully, meaning that’s how long it could take for it to be as faded as it’s going to get.
Will people see my thigh lift scars if I’m wearing shorts or a swimsuit?
Our surgeons carry out thigh lifts regularly and are really careful about where they make the cuts so that any scars will be tucked away where they’re hard to see. So while you might be able to see the scars a bit at first, they should become less and less noticeable over time, especially if you take good care of them.
Can I just buy a scar cream or gel from a shop to help my thigh lift scars look better?
You might find creams and gels in shops that say they help scars heal better. These can be good for some people because they often have ingredients that help keep the scar hydrated and could make it heal faster. But before you put anything on your scar, you should really check with your surgeon. They might tell you that a prescription cream would work better for your specific situation.
Is it risky to use massage to make my thigh lift scars less noticeable?
If done the right way, massaging the scar can actually be a really helpful way to make it less noticeable. But you’ve got to be careful. Doing it the wrong way could irritate the area or even mess up the healing. It’s really important to talk to your surgeon about how to do it safely and when you can start massaging the scar.
Are there other ways to make thigh lift scars less noticeable?
Besides all the things we’ve talked about, there are more advanced treatments you might want to think about, like laser therapy or even a different type of surgery that focuses just on reducing scars. If you’re really worried about how your scars are healing, the best thing to do is talk it over with a qualified plastic surgeon at Centre for Surgery. They’ll look at your individual case and suggest the treatments that’ll work best for you.
Why Choose Centre for Surgery for Your Plastic Surgery Needs?
When it comes to making a life-changing decision like undergoing plastic surgery, you want to be in the hands of experts who are not only skilled but also genuinely care about your well-being. That’s where Centre for Surgery shines. Based in the heart of London, we are a specialist clinic with surgeons boasting over 50 years of combined experience in the field of plastic surgery. But why should you choose us? Let us dive into some compelling reasons.
Expert Surgeons
Our medical team takes into account your overall health and personal circumstances before recommending any procedure. We prioritise your well-being above all else, making sure that you are an informed and confident participant in your own treatment.
Personalised Care
At Centre for Surgery, each patient receives a tailor-made treatment plan designed to meet their unique needs and desired outcomes. We walk you through each step of the process, from the initial consultation to post-operative care.
State-of-the-art Facilities
Our clinic is equipped with cutting-edge technology and follows stringent safety protocols, offering you a safe and comfortable experience throughout your journey with us.
Patient Testimonials
Don’t just take our word for it! Listen to what our satisfied patients have to say:
- “My experience with Centre for Surgery was beyond my expectations. The care I received was excellent, and I felt like I was in safe hands throughout the entire process.” – Emma, 32
- “The team at Centre for Surgery is phenomenal. They made me feel comfortable from the moment I walked in and ensured that all of my questions were answered.” – Raj, 45
- “If you’re considering plastic surgery, I highly recommend Centre for Surgery. Their expertise and personalised approach made all the difference.” – Sophia, 28
Informative Blog
For those interested in learning more about plastic surgery or staying up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques, check out our Plastic Surgery Blog. It’s filled with invaluable information that can guide you through your decision-making process.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re convinced that Centre for Surgery is the right place for your plastic surgery needs, or if you just want to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can book a consultation by:
📞 Phone: 0207 993 4849
📧 Email: contact@centreforsurgery.com
📍 Address: 95-97 Baker Street, London W1U 6RN
We look forward to partnering with you on your journey towards a new you. Choose Centre for Surgery for a genuinely transformative experience.
