You’re considering chin liposuction, but you’re worried about the scar. How big is the incision? How long does it take to heal? And what can you do to minimize its appearance?
In this article, I’ll explain what you can expect with a chin liposuction scar, from incision size to healing tips. I’ll also discuss the best ways to help your incision heal smoothly and explore alternatives for fat reduction under the chin if you prefer a non-surgical option.
At Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, we focus exclusively on facial procedures, and we’ve helped hundreds of patients contour their jawline and remove submental fullness through chin lipo.
Schedule your consultation today to learn more about chin liposuction, recovery, and results.
I also have a full video playlist about chin liposuction, which you can check out here.
How Big Is the Incision from Chin Lipo?
When you’re doing chin liposuction or submental (neck) liposuction, you obviously need to make a small incision.
That incision is normally about 3 to 4 millimeters. To give you a reference, an eraser head is about 6 millimeters. So, it’s very small.
After having the procedure done, two sutures are usually placed. These can be either permanent sutures or absorbable sutures:
- Permanent sutures typically come out after about one week.
- Absorbable sutures will usually fall out after about a week or sometimes up to two weeks later.
You can always come back to the office to have them removed.
Once those sutures are out, you’ll feel some firmness in the area, which takes time to settle.
Scar Care: Timeline and Healing Tips
I normally recommend my patients to apply gentle pressure on the incision. You can hold your finger on the incision for about one minute, three times a day. I don’t recommend doing it more than that.
Usually, you’ll start doing this after about 10 days and continue up to about one month.
Once the sutures are out, around the two-week mark, you can also use:
- Silicone sheeting
- Vitamin E oil
Both can facilitate the healing process.
Anywhere you have an incision, particularly on the head and neck, it takes about six months to fully mature.
How to Protect Your Scar as It Heals
One of the best things you can do while the incision is maturing is to protect it from the sun.
It’s important to apply sunscreen regularly, particularly if you’re going to be outdoors or at the beach for extended periods.
Over time, the incision will continue to heal, usually improving month by month, and it should be fully matured by around six months.
Sometimes patients notice a little pinking or darkening in color early on, but that should settle over time.
In my practice, I always have my patients follow up so I can monitor the incision and make sure it’s healing well. If you have any questions or concerns, I always recommend following up with your surgeon.
How You Can Minimize the Appearance of a Chin Lipo Scar
Patients often ask what they can do to minimize the appearance of any incision and help prevent noticeable scarring.
The first and most important step is to follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Depending on the type of sutures used, you may need to follow up to have them removed if they’re permanent. If they’re absorbable, they’ll fall out on their own.
Once that healing phase begins, you can:
- Use silicone sheeting nightly
- Apply vitamin E oil
- Apply light pressure on the incision (one minute, three times a day) for about two weeks to one month
Best Practices to Prevent Scarring
There are also several simple things you can do to prevent your incision from becoming visible or developing a raised scar:
- Eat a healthy, protein-rich diet
- Avoid smoking
- Don’t pick at or manipulate the incision area
- Wear sunscreen while the incision is healing
Non-Surgical Alternatives to Chin Liposuction
So, are there alternatives to chin liposuction that don’t leave a scar?
Two options that can improve fullness under the chin include:
- Kybella®: an injectable treatment that helps dissolve fat cells under the chin
- CoolSculpting®: a non-surgical fat-freezing procedure that can contour the jawline
Depending on which option you choose, both have their pros and cons.
In my opinion, I don’t believe they’re going to be as definitive as a surgical procedure. However, the benefit is that they don’t require anesthesia or a surgical setting, and the downtime is minimal compared to liposuction.
You also won’t have the small incision associated with surgery.
Minimize Scarring & Refine Your Profile with Elite Facial Plastic Surgery
Frustrated with stubborn chin fat or an undefined jawline? With advanced chin liposuction techniques and incision care, Dr. Dominic will sculpt your profile while keeping scars small and discreet.
Book your consultation today. Let’s create the smooth, defined jawline you’ve always wanted.
