One of the most common questions patients ask Dr. Nidia De Jesus before surgery isn’t about the results they’ll see — it’s about the marks that will be left behind. Whether you’re considering a tummy tuck, a breast augmentation, or a full mommy makeover, understanding how scars form — and how modern surgical technique and aftercare can minimize them — can put your mind at ease.

The good news: plastic surgery scarring in 2026 looks nothing like it did even a decade ago. Advances in incision planning, suturing technique, and post-operative scar care mean that most patients end up with thin, flat, well-camouflaged lines rather than the thick, raised scars people often picture. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Every Surgical Procedure Leaves a Scar

Any time the skin is cut, the body responds by producing collagen to repair the wound. This is a normal, necessary part of healing — there is no such thing as truly “scarless” surgery, despite what some marketing claims suggest. What varies enormously from patient to patient (and surgeon to surgeon) is how visible that scar ultimately becomes.

Scar appearance depends on several factors:

• Incision placement — scars hidden within natural creases, the bikini line, or the areola fade better than scars on flat, visible skin
• Surgical technique — how the tissue is handled and how the incision is closed makes a major difference
• Skin type and genetics — some patients are naturally prone to raised or discolored scars (including keloids)
• Aftercare — how the wound is protected and treated in the weeks and months after surgery
• Sun exposure — UV light can permanently darken an immature scar

Modern Techniques That Minimize Scarring

1. Strategic Incision Placement

Dr. De Jesus plans every incision to fall along the body’s natural lines whenever possible. In a tummy tuck, this means placing the incision low enough to be hidden beneath most underwear and swimwear. In a breast augmentation, incisions are typically placed in the inframammary fold (the crease under the breast) or around the areola, where the border between darker areolar skin and lighter breast skin naturally camouflages the line. In a Brazilian Butt Lift, liposuction access points are kept small and tucked into skin folds.

2. Layered, Tension-Free Closure

One of the biggest predictors of a wide or raised scar is tension on the wound edges as they heal. Modern technique relies on multiple layers of internal, dissolvable sutures that take the tension off the skin’s surface, so the outermost layer heals under minimal stress. This is a major reason today’s incisions heal thinner and flatter than incisions closed with older single-layer techniques.

3. Fine, Precise Suturing

The surgical instruments and suture materials used today are far finer than a generation ago. Meticulous, evenly-spaced stitching along the skin’s surface reduces the “railroad track” appearance that can occur when tension or uneven closure pulls at the wound edges.

4. Minimally Invasive Approaches Where Appropriate

For procedures like liposuction, small cannula-based incisions (often just a few millimeters) replace the larger open incisions once required for body contouring. VASER and other energy-assisted liposuction techniques can further reduce the trauma to surrounding tissue, which supports cleaner healing at each access point. You can read more about how these approaches compare in our VASER vs. traditional lipo guide.

What You Can Do to Minimize Your Own Scarring

Surgical technique is only half the equation. What you do in the weeks and months after surgery has a significant impact on your final result.

Keep the Incision Clean and Protected

Follow Dr. De Jesus’s wound care instructions exactly, including how to clean the incision and when it’s safe to get it wet. Most incisions are covered with surgical tape or medical-grade adhesive strips for the first couple of weeks to keep tension off the healing skin.

Avoid Sun Exposure on Healing Scars

A new scar is extremely vulnerable to UV damage, which can cause permanent darkening (hyperpigmentation). Keep any incision fully covered with clothing or a high-SPF sunscreen for at least six to twelve months after surgery, especially if you’ll be spending time outdoors in Miami’s year-round sun.

Silicone Sheets and Scar Gels

Once an incision is fully closed (typically two to three weeks after surgery, once Dr. De Jesus confirms it’s ready), silicone scar sheets or medical-grade silicone gel can help flatten and soften a healing scar. These work by keeping the scar hydrated and applying gentle, even pressure, which studies show can meaningfully improve scar texture and color over time.

Gentle Massage

Once cleared by your surgeon, gently massaging a healing scar in small circular motions for a few minutes a day can help break up early collagen buildup and keep the scar tissue soft and pliable rather than thick and raised. This is often introduced during the daily recovery visits included in Dr. De Jesus’s aftercare program.

Avoid Smoking

Nicotine restricts blood flow to healing tissue, which slows wound healing and increases the risk of a wider, more visible scar — or in more serious cases, wound healing complications. If you smoke or vape, stopping well before surgery and during recovery is one of the single most effective things you can do for your scar outcome.

Patience

Scars go through stages: they are typically pink or red and slightly raised for the first several weeks, then gradually flatten and fade over 6 to 18 months. A scar that looks concerning at 4 weeks often looks dramatically different at 6 months. Give the process time before judging the final result.

How Scar Appearance Differs by Procedure

Not all plastic surgery scars behave the same way, since incision length, location, and skin tension vary by procedure. Understanding what to expect for your specific surgery can help set realistic expectations.

Tummy Tuck Scars

A full tummy tuck involves a hip-to-hip incision placed low on the abdomen, designed to sit beneath the bikini line. Because this incision is longer and under more tension from the surrounding skin, it benefits most from the layered, tension-free closure technique described above. For a deeper dive into what to expect with this specific incision, see our dedicated guide on tummy tuck scars, or learn about incision options in our drainless tummy tuck guide.

Breast Augmentation Scars

Because incisions are typically 3 to 5 centimeters and placed in the inframammary fold or around the areola, breast augmentation scars tend to be some of the least noticeable in plastic surgery. Most fade to a fine line that’s difficult to see even up close within a year. You can learn more in our breast augmentation recovery guide.

BBL and Liposuction Scars

Because fat transfer and liposuction rely on small cannula incisions rather than long open cuts, scarring is typically minimal — often just a few millimeters at each access point, placed in skin folds like the belly button, bikini line, or beneath the buttock crease. Most of these marks are barely visible within several months.

Mommy Makeover Scars

Because a mommy makeover often combines a tummy tuck with breast surgery and liposuction, patients understandably want to know how multiple incisions heal together. The good news is that combining procedures doesn’t create additional scarring beyond what each individual procedure would produce on its own — and it means going through the healing process only once instead of several separate times.

What Happens During Your Miami Recovery

Patients who travel to Miami for surgery with Dr. De Jesus stay at the Best Western located just behind the office (with a free airport shuttle for added convenience) and are seen in person, every single day, at the clinic during business hours — not in an overnight recovery facility. These daily visits are exactly where scar care is monitored most closely: Dr. De Jesus and her team check incisions, adjust dressings, and catch any early signs of tension or irritation before they become a problem. Patients also receive lymphatic massage and IV therapy sessions as part of their included recovery package, all of which support smoother, healthier healing. A companion is recommended to help with transportation and day-to-day support during the first several days.

When Scar Revision Might Be an Option

Even with excellent technique and aftercare, a small number of patients develop a scar that is wider, more raised, or more noticeable than expected — often due to genetics, wound healing complications, or skin type. If a scar hasn’t improved significantly after 12 to 18 months, scar revision techniques (including surgical re-excision, laser treatments, or steroid injections for raised scars) may be discussed at a follow-up consultation. This is uncommon, but it’s worth knowing the option exists.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for plastic surgery scars to fade?

Most scars go through visible improvement over 6 to 18 months. They typically start pink or red and slightly raised, then gradually flatten and lighten in color. Full maturation can take up to two years, though the majority of improvement happens in the first year.

Will my scars be visible in a bathing suit or underwear?

Dr. De Jesus plans incision placement specifically to fall below common underwear and swimwear lines whenever the procedure allows, such as with tummy tuck and BBL incisions. This is discussed in detail during your consultation, where she can show you exactly where incisions will be placed based on your anatomy and goals.

Are silicone scar sheets actually effective?

Yes. Medical-grade silicone sheets and gels are one of the most well-studied, non-invasive tools for improving scar appearance. They work best when applied consistently once an incision is fully closed, and are often recommended as part of a post-surgical scar care routine.

Can I get plastic surgery if I’m prone to keloid scars?

Being prone to keloids doesn’t automatically rule out surgery, but it’s an important factor to discuss during your consultation. Dr. De Jesus will review your history and may recommend specific precautions, such as earlier use of silicone treatment or steroid injections, to reduce the risk of raised scarring.

Does tanning or sun exposure really make scars worse?

Yes — UV exposure on an immature scar (generally the first 6 to 12 months) can cause permanent discoloration that is much harder to correct later. Covering incisions with clothing or a high-SPF sunscreen during this window is one of the simplest ways to protect your final result.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re considering plastic surgery and want to understand exactly what your scars will look like — and how Dr. De Jesus’s technique and Miami recovery program work together to minimize them — schedule a free consultation today. Call (305) 600-3736 or email info@nidiadejesusmd.com to get started.