Does Facial Feminization Surgery Leave Scars? What to Expect
One of the most common questions that I hear is, “Will facial feminization surgery leave visible scars?”
The short answer is: sometimes.
Here, I’m walking you through exactly what kind of scars to expect, where they show up, and how we keep them as invisible as possible. I’m also sharing some of the advanced treatments that can take your healing even further.
As a board-certified surgeon, I’ve helped hundreds of patients transform their look with facial feminization surgery. If you’ve only seen vague explanations online, this article is different. We’re diving into where FFS scars actually show up, how visible they are, and what you can do to help them heal as discreetly as possible.
FFS can be life-changing, but it can be intimidating to know where to start. That’s why I’ve created a complete video playlist to guide you throughout the process.
Ready for your appearance to reflect the way you’ve always felt inside? Book your free FFS consultation with CMF Surgeons today. Let’s create the look you’ve always wanted.
Types of FFS Scars and How They Look
There are three types of facial feminization surgery scars: visible, hidden, and invisible.
Hidden Scars
The most common scars we use are what we call hidden scars. Anytime we’re working against the hairline, we have a technique called beveling, where we allow hair to grow back through the scar, making it very difficult to see.
Invisible Scars
In my line of work, invisible incisions are through the mouth. That’s how we get to the cheek, the jawline, and sometimes even underneath the jawline. All of these can be done using incisions that leave no visible scars at all.
Visible Scars
Very rarely do we use a truly visible incision. Occasionally with a tracheal shave or something where we’re dealing with more of the neck, a direct incision over the voice box is necessary.
That said, for most of my tracheal shaves, I do what’s called a submental incision—far up underneath the chin—which becomes a very well-hidden scar.
Where Can FFS Scars Be Placed?
The most common incision for facial feminization surgery is up in the hairline.
Hairline and Forehead
The hairline incision or forehead incision is how we access the brow and the upper part of the forehead. If we’re moving the hairline, the incision goes right at the junction of the hairline and the skin. We place it in the immature hair follicles to help us effectively hide the scar.
Nose
If we do a rhinoplasty, I typically perform an open rhinoplasty, which means making a very small incision across the bridge of skin right underneath the nose.
Mouth (Intraoral)
Most procedures for the cheeks, cheek augmentation (whether fat or implant), jawline contouring, genioplasty, buccal fat removal, and lip repositioning—these are all done from inside the mouth.
Neck and Trachea
For tracheal shaves, I usually use the submental incision. It’s also the access point for procedures like neck lifts, tightening neck muscles, and removing soft tissue. All of this is done under the chin, keeping scarring hidden.
How Long Do FFS Incisions Take to Heal?
Healing time depends on the location of the incision, but here are some general timelines:
- Hairline incisions: By the 3-week mark, the wounds are sealed and healed on the outside. You can bathe and go underwater, as it’s considered fully healed at that point.
- Under-nose and under-chin (submental) incisions: Typically healed by the 2-week mark.
- Intraoral (inside the mouth) incisions: Usually fully healed after about 1 week.
After this initial healing phase, the scarring process continues underneath the surface. It’s not something we just leave alone; we’ll help you actively manage it for the best long-term outcome.
Factors That Affect the Appearance of FFS Scars
A lot of patient-specific factors can influence scarring, including:
- Age
- Sun damage and sun exposure
- History of acne
- The overall nature and characteristics of your skin
- How well you’ve cared for your skin in the past (for example, regular skincare or sunscreen use)
- Where we need to place the scar (depending on your anatomy)
- Your general health
- Any medications you’re taking
During your consultation and surgical planning, we’ll identify these variables and work with you to help you get the optimal scar outcome.
How To Care for Your Scars After FFS
One of the things we pride ourselves on at CMF Surgeons is our heavy focus on post-operative care, especially scar management.
We always give you a detailed review, explaining where your scar is and what to do with it.
Hairline and Forehead Scars
We usually leave these alone for about 3 weeks, other than applying Vaseline or antibiotic ointment. Around weeks 4–6, I’ll have you start massaging the scar. This softens it and helps your forehead and hairline move more naturally.
Nasal and Eyelid Scars
We don’t usually have to do much for upper eyelid and nasal scars, as they’re generally well hidden and very small. Occasionally, I’ll recommend massaging a nasal scar, but it’s not common.
Intraoral (Mouth) Scars
Starting around 1 week after surgery, I’ll have patients massage inside the mouth. This helps with two things:
- Pushing out fluid buildup
- Preventing fibrosis (scar tissue sticking to underlying structures)
Chin and Labiomental Fold
We do a lot of chin reshaping, which affects the labiomental fold (the area just under the lower lip). Around week 2, we start massaging this area to prevent tightness or distortion when you move your lips to eat or speak.
Neck and Submental Scars
For any submental or neck scars, we usually start massage around 2–3 weeks post-op. This helps flatten the scar, smooth it, and make the surrounding tissue feel more natural.
Long-Term Care
Between 6 weeks and 3 months, I usually have patients start formal skin care. This might include:
- Silicone strips to soften the scar, reduce pigmentation, and improve texture
- Scar creams (Vitamin E oil, Mederma, or any over-the-counter scar care)
It’s not the product itself that matters most; it’s the habit of using it regularly. One, two, or three times a day: apply something, massage it. That’s how we get the best long-term scar outcomes.
In some cases, we may use:
- Steroid injections
- Botox
- Scar revision surgery, if necessary
For all scar care, one of the most important things is sun protection, either sunscreen or physical covering.
During the first 1 to 4 weeks (the immature healing phase), we’ll guide you on how to clean and care for your wounds, what to avoid, and how to safely manipulate healing tissue for the best results.
Reveal Your True Identity with CMF Surgeons
You’ve always felt this way inside—it’s time for your appearance to reflect your true identity. If you’re looking into facial feminization surgery, we’ll guide you through every detail, from incision planning to scar care, to give you the most stunning, natural-looking results.
Book your consultation today. Let’s reveal your most authentic self.