Thigh lift scars: groin crease or inner thigh line?
Updated: 13 hours ago
Medical editor: Dr. Semih Yıldız, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon (FEBOPRAS) · Last updated: October 2026
There are two possible thigh lift scars. If the loose skin is limited to the upper inner thigh, the scar lies in the groin crease, where underwear usually covers it. If the looseness reaches further down the leg, a second line runs along the inner thigh towards the knee. Both fade over about 12 months but remain visible on close inspection.
Which scar you get is decided by your skin rather than by preference. Thigh lift surgery in Istanbul uses two techniques, the medial and the vertical thigh lift, and each leaves its own kind of scar.
Groin crease or inner thigh: what decides
The groin crease scar
In a medial thigh lift, loose skin of the upper inner thigh is lifted and removed through an incision placed in the fold where the thigh meets the groin. The scar follows this natural fold. It is the more discreet option, but it can only tighten the upper part of the thigh.
The groin and inner thigh scar
In a vertical thigh lift, a second line runs down the inner thigh towards the knee, usually joined to a scar in the groin. This allows loose skin to be removed along the whole length of the thigh, which a groin scar alone cannot do. It is the more visible option and is chosen when the looseness clearly extends below the upper third of the thigh.
Dr. Semih Yıldız tailors both the incision line and the amount of skin removed to the shape of your thighs. The lines are marked while you stand, because standing shows how far down the loose skin hangs and where your groin fold naturally lies.
Why the groin is a demanding place for a wound
The groin is one of the more difficult places on the body for a wound to heal. The thighs rub together with every step, the skin fold stays warm and moist, and the area lies close to the genitals and anus, where bacteria are more plentiful. Spreading the legs stretches the wound, and the weight of the thigh pulls on the scar. Smoking, diabetes and a higher body weight make wound problems in this area more likely.
As a result, small areas of delayed healing are among the more common issues after a thigh lift, particularly where the groin and vertical scars meet. They usually heal with dressings over a few weeks but can leave a wider scar at that spot. The incisions are closed in layers so that the deeper tissues, rather than the skin edge, carry the tension, which helps the scar stay narrow.
Scar migration: why a groin scar can drift
In the months after surgery, the downward pull of the thigh can draw the groin scar lower, out of the crease and below the underwear line. In women, tension at this point can also pull on the outer lips of the vulva (labia majora) and change their shape. Avoiding both is one of the main aims when the lift is planned and closed, and it is also why the amount of skin that can be removed through a groin scar alone is limited.
How visible the scars are in everyday clothes
Underwear and most bikini bottoms: the groin scar usually sits within the covered area, although very high-cut styles may show part of it.
Shorts and skirts above the knee: the vertical scar, especially its lower part, can show on the inner thigh when you walk or sit with your legs apart.
Standing with your legs together: the inner thigh scar lies largely out of sight between the thighs.
Swimwear: the groin scar is mostly covered, while the vertical scar is visible on the inner thigh.
How thigh scars mature
For the first few weeks the scars are fine lines, sometimes with small areas still healing. Between about the second and fourth month they often look their most noticeable: pink or red, firm and sometimes itchy. From then on they gradually soften and pale, and by around 12 months they have reached most of their final appearance. Groin skin is naturally darker in many people, so the scar there can stay brownish for longer, while the vertical line, which is stretched with every step, can widen somewhat over this time.
Daily care for groin and inner thigh scars
Keep the area clean and dry, and wear soft cotton underwear without seams that rub across the scar.
Once the wounds have closed, apply silicone gel daily for several months. In the groin, gel is easier to use than silicone sheets, which tend to slip with movement and moisture.
Do not shave, wax or use hair removal cream on or right next to the scar until it has fully healed; trimming is gentler in the meantime, and laser hair removal near the scar should wait until it has settled.
Protect the vertical scar from the sun for at least the first year, especially in shorts and swimwear.
Keep your weight stable and avoid nicotine for at least 4 weeks after surgery, as both affect how the scars heal.
The compression garment worn for about 4–6 weeks should lie flat across the groin. An edge or seam that presses into the same spot of a healing scar for weeks can leave a mark, so mention it at a check-up or show it in your photos.
Thick, raised scars respond better when they are treated early, with silicone and, where suitable, steroid injections. A scar that has widened or moved can sometimes be improved with a revision, usually not before it has matured. The two techniques are described in detail on our thighplasty page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a thigh lift without a scar down the inner thigh?
Yes, if the loose skin is limited to the upper inner thigh, a medial thigh lift with a scar in the groin crease may be enough. If the looseness reaches towards the knee, a groin scar alone cannot correct the lower thigh, and pulling harder from the groin would increase the risk of the scar moving downwards.
Will a thigh lift scar show in a bikini?
The groin scar is placed in the natural fold, so most bikini bottoms and underwear cover it; only very high-cut designs tend to reveal a section. A vertical scar runs down the inner thigh and is visible in swimwear, particularly when you walk or sit with your legs apart.
Do thigh lift scars itch?
Itching is common while the scars heal and mature, particularly between the second and fourth month, when they are firm and pink. Silicone gel and a plain moisturiser on closed scars often help. Persistent itching together with a scar that keeps thickening should be shown to the surgical team, as the scar may need treatment.
Whether a groin scar alone would be enough for you can often be judged from front and back photos of your thighs, which you can send for a free online assessment.
This article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person.
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