Men ask about scars later in the consultation than women do, and often as an afterthought. It is worth bringing forward, because there is one structural difference that matters: there is no bra or bikini line to hide a scar in.
Women’s body contouring scars are frequently placed to sit under underwear or swimwear. For men, the equivalent reference points are a waistband and a pair of shorts, and that changes where a scar can reasonably go.
Where the scars sit in men
| Operation | Scar | Visible in |
|---|---|---|
| Abdominoplasty | Low and transverse, hip to hip | Below most shorts and swimwear |
| Fleur-de-lis | Adds a vertical midline scar | Bare chest and abdomen — cannot be hidden |
| Lower body lift | Around the trunk, under a waistband | Largely covered by shorts |
| Chest contouring | Depends on the technique; often along the chest fold | Bare chest |
| Arm lift | Inner upper arm, armpit towards elbow | T-shirts, raised arms |
Body hair helps, and it also complicates
Chest and abdominal hair can genuinely camouflage a maturing scar, which works in men’s favour. The complication is that an incision crossing a hair-bearing area can leave a hairless line through it, which is its own kind of visible.
Where that matters to you, raise it when the incision is being marked — placement can sometimes be adjusted.
Do male scars behave differently?
Skin thickness and tension differ, and men more often have thicker skin on the back and chest, which is where scars are most prone to widening. Beyond that, the factors that determine a scar are the same for everyone: tension, nicotine, sun, skin type, wound healing, and how early you go back to activity.
The one that is most within your control is activity. Returning to lifting or physical work early is the commonest cause of a widened scar, and men in trades are the group most likely to do it. Returning to physical work.
The twelve-month timeline
| When | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1–6 | Covered by Prineo and Micropore |
| Week 6 | Dressings off; pink, flat to slightly raised |
| Month 3 | Reddest and firmest — the low point, and normal |
| Month 6 | Fading and softening |
| Month 12 | Pale and flat in most patients; final review |
Scar care here follows a set protocol: dressings for six weeks, a compression garment for six weeks, then silicone and massage with Dr Kumar’s nurses, reviewed at every visit through to twelve months. The full protocol.
What makes a male scar worse
- Going back to lifting early — the main one
- Nicotine. Complete abstinence for eight weeks before and after. More here
- Sun. Keep new scars covered for the first year — relevant if you work outdoors
- Skin type, and any history of keloid
- Weight-loss skin quality, which is less elastic and under more tension at closure
Common questions
Will the scar show with my shirt off? A transverse abdominal scar sits low. A vertical one does not hide.
Can it be revised? A widened scar can sometimes be revised after twelve months. Scar revision.
Does hair grow back through it? Not through the scar itself.
Is it worth it? That is the question to put to Dr Kumar directly, with your own anatomy in front of you, and to expect a direct answer to.
Next step
Ask to see every scar marked on you before you consent. Bring a GP referral — it is required to see Dr Kumar. He consults at Westmead, Penrith and Orange, and you can send photos first. Call 1300 267 726. More about body contouring for men.
The initial consultation with Dr Kumar is $400, with a Medicare rebate of approximately $88 where you have a GP referral. Surgical fees are quoted individually after your consultation, in a written itemised quote.
All surgery carries risks, and individual results will vary. Read more about the risks of surgery here. A GP referral is required to see Dr Kumar.
Dr Rohit Kumar (MED0001630444) Registered medical practitioner, specialist plastic surgeon (specialist registration in surgery – plastic surgery).
