
One of the common issues we see is the presence of gray or bluish stains on the skin of patients who have undergone liposuction.
There are several causes that explain these skin alterations:
- Very superficial liposuction: When liposuction is performed too close to the skin, damage to the blood vessels or arteries that supply the skin can occur. This leads to circulation issues in the skin, which manifest as streak-like stains that become more noticeable in cold weather.
- Excessive fat removal from all layers: It is also common to see patients with dark brown spots or skin with a leathery appearance caused by excessive fat removal. It is essential to maintain a uniform fat layer under the skin during liposuction so that stem cells, which are abundant in fat, can help generate new, healthy skin cells. This ensures that the skin maintains a youthful and smooth appearance after surgery.
- Irregular fat removal: If liposuction is performed hastily or without proper technique, without following a precise sequence and without considering the correct layer for suction, skin irregularities can occur. This can lead to depressions and the presence of fibrosis—scar tissue beneath the skin. To avoid this issue, it is important to maintain a deep fat layer that acts as a cushion, allowing the skin to settle evenly after surgery.
- Use of thick cannulas: Cannulas are tube-like instruments connected to a vacuum suction system to extract fat using negative pressure. Thick cannulas create large spaces in the fat beneath the skin, which later fill with fluid, leading to irregularities and hardening once the recovery process is complete. The best way to prevent this issue is to use cannulas no larger than 3 millimeters in diameter, with a maximum of two oval-shaped openings in a straight line. Proper surgical technique is crucial, ensuring precise depth control, a radial motion when passing the cannula, and avoiding staying in a single spot for too long.
HOW TO TREAT LIPOSUCTION STAINS?
The most important step is prevention, using a refined and careful surgical technique with thin and short cannulas (no longer than 20 cm) and avoiding excessive fat removal.
Postoperative massage is essential to reduce the risk of fibrosis formation. The fluid that accumulates under the skin should be drained using an appropriate Lymphatic Drainage technique.
Carboxytherapy can also be beneficial. This involves injecting medical-grade carbon dioxide (CO₂) beneath the skin using a specialized machine and a thin guide. Carboxytherapy significantly helps prevent fibrosis and reduces bluish skin discoloration.
Reconstructive Surgery is an option for patients with significant irregularities. This procedure involves micro fat grafting in areas with indentations while removing excess fat where necessary. We specialize in this type of surgery, as it is common to see patients needing correction after previous liposuction procedures.
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