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SCAR OFF
How LINE ON Clinic works to reduce scarring.
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If worry about scars has kept you from surgery
Liposuction and fat transfer need a small entry point in the skin. At LINE ON Clinic, we work to reduce, one by one, the things that make scars at that entry point larger.
- 01ProtectProtecting the skin at the entry point
- 02Inner stitchesStitching the inner layer first
- 03Outer stitchesStitching without pulling tight
Do any of these sound familiar?
If any of these apply to you, please mention it first at your consultation.
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Point 1. Protecting the entry point
We start by protecting the entry point where the cannula goes in
During liposuction or fat harvesting, a cannula (a thin tube used to remove fat) passes in and out of a small entry point many times. If the skin at the edge of the entry point rubs, the scar can end up larger. So we place Protect, a device of our own design, in the entry point to keep the skin edges from rubbing as much.
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Point 2. Inner stitches
We stitch the inner layer of the skin first
We first stitch the inner layer of the skin to hold the wound closed. These inner stitches hold against the force pulling the wound apart. That way, the force doesn’t fall on the outer skin.
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Point 3. Outer stitches
We stitch the surface without pulling it tight
The outer skin is stitched with as little tension (the pull of the thread) as possible, because the tighter the surface is pulled and tied, the wider the scar can become. We stitch just enough for the skin edges to meet naturally, to keep the scar narrower.
What to know about scars before surgery
- 01We won’t tell you there will be no scar
This surgery requires an entry point, so it can’t leave no mark at all. Even with the same stitching method, scars look different depending on your skin type and the area.
- 02We choose entry points at your consultation
For areas where scars show easily, such as the armpits, arms and abdomen, we mark your body directly as we explain where the entry points will go.
- 03We keep checking after the stitches come out
At follow-up visits around 1, 2 and 3 months, we look at both the contour and the scars.
Medical note
More about SCAR OFF
From here, we explain how the surgery works, recovery and what to watch for in more detail. It’s written to the standards Dr. Oh uses when he sees patients.
Surgeries that use SCAR OFF
How scars settle
A scar hasn’t fully settled just because the stitches are out.
- 01From stitching to stitch removal
This is when the wound closes. The area around the entry point may be a little swollen or red, and a thin scab may form.
- 02Around 1–3 months
The scar may actually look redder or turn a darker brown. It can also feel a little firm. This is a common stage while the tissue inside the wound reorganizes, so there’s usually no need to worry.
- 03Around 3–6 months
The redness and dark color gradually fade, and the firmness softens. The width and shape of the scar also gradually settle.
- 04From 6 months to 1 year and beyond
The scar gradually becomes a faint line closer to your surrounding skin tone. It won’t disappear completely, but it becomes less noticeable than at first.
These times are a general guide. Scars may settle faster or more slowly depending on your skin tone, skin type, age and the area. Areas that fold and rub often, like the armpits, can take a little longer.
Caring for your scars at home
Stitching is finished in the operating room, but you’ll spend the months while your scars settle at home. Following these few steps can help your scars fade.
- Let scabs fall off on their own. Picking them off can reopen the healing wound and leave darker color.
- Until your stitches are removed, don’t scratch or rub the stitched area.
- For several months after the wound heals, please avoid the sun. Covering the area with clothing or applying sunscreen carefully can help keep the scar from darkening.
- Keep the healed scar moisturized. Please check with us before using any ointment or scar-care product.
- Try not to let underwear seams or bag straps keep rubbing against the incision.
- Smoking can slow wound healing. We recommend not smoking before and after surgery.
- Contact us right away, without waiting for your next appointment, if the redness keeps spreading, if the wound feels hot, oozes or opens, or if the scar becomes raised and itchy.
Care can differ depending on the area and how the wound was stitched. Please follow the instructions you were given before going home first.
SCAR OFF: frequently asked questions
Where are the incisions, and how big are they?
We make them just large enough for the cannula. Where possible, we choose existing creases, such as the armpit crease or the fold under the buttocks, or places covered by clothing. The exact location and number depend on the area and the surgical plan.
When are the stitches removed?
Depending on the procedure, stitches are removed on day 7 or day 14. We’ll give you the exact date after checking the wound after surgery.
When can I shower?
When you can get the stitched area wet, and how to care for the dressing, depend on the area and how it was stitched. We’ll explain this before you go home. Please wait until the wound has fully healed before anything that keeps it underwater for a long time, such as baths, saunas or swimming.
I scar easily. Can I still have surgery?
If you’ve had scars that became red and raised, or that grew larger than the original wound, please be sure to tell us at your consultation. Stitching methods alone can’t fully prevent scars caused by your skin type. Dr. Oh will examine you and decide whether surgery is appropriate and how to care for the area during recovery.
What if a scar is more noticeable than I expected?
If a scar is more noticeable than expected at a follow-up visit, we’ll discuss care that suits its condition at that point. Scars usually keep changing for close to a year, so we watch and wait rather than judging too early.