Does Buttock Augmentation Leave Scars? Incision Placement and How to Care for and Minimize Scarring After Buttock Augmentation

📅 Updated 09/04/2026·🏷️ Buttocks·✍️ Editorial team — Dr. Vo Thanh Sang

You may dream of a fuller, firmer buttock contour so you can wear a bikini with confidence at the pool or on the beach, yet hesitate over a single question: will surgery leave a visible mark? Concern about scarring after buttock augmentation is entirely reasonable, and nearly everyone wonders about it before making a decision. The good news is that with modern techniques the incision is usually concealed very well, and most worries about scarring after buttock augmentation can be eased once you understand the method and how to care for the area properly.

The article below is shared from the professional perspective of a plastic and aesthetic surgeon, to help you form an honest picture of where the incision is placed, how noticeable the mark may be, and what to do to help the wound heal as well as your individual constitution allows.

Does buttock augmentation leave scars?

The honest answer is: any surgery involving a skin incision leaves a scar to some degree. However, "having a scar" does not mean "having a visible scar." The surgeon's goal is to place the incision in a discreet location and to close it carefully in multiple layers, so that the scar fades over time and is hard to notice when you wear swimwear.

The degree of scarring after buttock augmentation depends on several factors at once:

The method used: placement of a buttock implant or autologous fat grafting.
The location and length of the incision.
The closure technique and the surgeon's skill.
Each person's individual scar-healing tendency (some people are prone to keloids or hyperpigmented scars).
How the wound is cared for and the precautions followed after surgery.

For this reason, it is not possible to promise that everyone will have "no scar." The more realistic and accurate position is this: the scar outcome depends on each person's constitution, and the surgeon will do their best to minimize the mark using an appropriate technique.

Incision placement and the degree of scarring after buttock augmentation by method

Buttock implant placement: an incision hidden in the intergluteal fold

With the implant method, the surgeon usually chooses an incision running along the intergluteal fold (the groove between the two buttocks). This location is naturally concealed when the buttocks come together, so even when wearing a bikini the scar is very hard to see.

The implant used is a dedicated, standard-compliant device, and with genuine breast implant lines such as Mentor or Motiva that carry FDA certification, the material is tightly controlled for safety. Because there is only a single incision in the midline, the mark after implant-based buttock augmentation tends to be concentrated in one discreet spot rather than spread out.

Autologous fat grafting: almost no significant scarring

The fat grafting method (taking excess fat from the abdomen or thighs and injecting it into the buttocks) requires only tiny entry points the size of a needle tip or cannula, a few millimeters in diameter. These points are very small, usually fade almost completely over time, and rarely leave a clearly visible scar.

This is why many people who are concerned about scarring choose fat grafting. However, fat grafting is suitable for those who have enough excess fat to harvest and who want a moderate improvement; some of the grafted fat may be reabsorbed, so the result still depends on individual constitution. The choice of method should be based on a direct examination so the doctor can assess your physical condition and your wishes.

How does the scar-healing process after buttock augmentation unfold?

Understanding the healing timeline helps you feel more reassured and not panic when the scar is still red or slightly firm in the early stage. Typically, a scar passes through these stages:

The first few weeks: the incision is still fresh and may be slightly swollen, red, or a little raised. This is a normal healing response.
One to three months: the scar begins to stabilize and its color gradually fades. This is an important period for care to limit poor scarring.
After about six months to a year: the scar matures and becomes noticeably faded and softer in most cases.

Please note that the timeframes above are for reference only. The healing rate and the final color of the scar vary from person to person, especially in those prone to keloids or skin that easily develops hyperpigmentation.

How to care for and minimize scarring after buttock augmentation

Proper care during the first few months plays a very large role in helping the scar fade well. Below are the basic principles you should follow:

Keep the incision clean and dry: follow the hygiene instructions and change dressings as directed to avoid infection that would worsen the scar.
Limit pressure and strenuous activity: especially with an incision in the intergluteal fold, avoid sitting for long periods or putting pressure on the surgical area in the early days.
Wear the compression garment as directed: this helps stabilize the surgical area and supports steady healing.
Use scar-support products: silicone gel or sheets and scar creams should be used once the wound surface has healed and according to your doctor's advice.
Avoid direct sun on the scar area: UV rays can easily darken the scar and slow its fading.
Eat well and do not smoke: adequate nutrition and quitting cigarettes help the tissue heal faster.
Attend follow-up visits on schedule: so the doctor can monitor progress and intervene early if the scar shows any abnormal signs.

Following the precautions and instructions not only helps reduce the risk of poor scarring but also helps ensure the safety of the overall surgical result.

Medical notes: contraindications, risks, and complications

Buttock augmentation is a surgical procedure, so it must be viewed honestly in terms of risk, not aesthetics alone. This is the section you should read carefully before deciding.

Some cases that are contraindicated or require careful consideration:

People with poorly controlled underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or bleeding disorders.
People with an active infection at the surgical site or an untreated inflammatory focus.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
People with a marked tendency toward keloid scarring, who need separate counseling about scar risk.
People with unrealistic expectations about the result.

Possible risks and complications:

Infection, seroma, or hematoma at the surgical site.
Poor scarring, keloid, or hyperpigmented scarring depending on individual constitution.
Capsular contracture around the implant or implant displacement (with the implant method).
Partial fat reabsorption, lumpiness, or fat nodules (with the fat grafting method).
Asymmetry between the two sides requiring revision.
The general risks of anesthesia and surgery.

To minimize these risks, the key factor is to have the procedure performed by a plastic and aesthetic surgeon, in a hospital or accredited surgical facility; it should not be done at a spa or an unlicensed establishment. A thorough process with examination, testing, and full counseling before surgery is an important condition for safety.

When should you see a doctor for a consultation?

If you still have concerns about scarring after buttock augmentation, about whether to choose an implant or fat grafting, or worry about whether your constitution is prone to scarring, the best approach is a direct examination. Each person has a different body structure, amount of fat, and skin characteristics, so suitable advice can only be obtained after the doctor assesses you in person.

As for cost, prices generally vary depending on the method, the type of implant, and each person's specific condition, so you should discuss it directly to receive clear advice rather than relying on general figures found online.

Closing words and an invitation to consult

In summary, buttock augmentation almost always involves an incision, but with techniques that hide the incision in the intergluteal fold (implant) or use tiny entry points (fat grafting), the mark is usually very discreet and fades over time when cared for properly. Most importantly, every result depends on each person's constitution and should be carried out by a specialist surgeon in an accredited environment.

If you would like your specific condition assessed and advice on a suitable method to minimize scarring, Dr. Vo Thanh Sang is ready to accompany you. Please contact the hotline 079 7479 222 to schedule an examination and hear professional advice before making a decision about your buttock contour.