Abdominoplasty Tummy Scars: What makes a good scar

The look of an abdominoplasty scar is dependent on a number of factors, including genetics, skin complexion, timing of recovery, quality of postoperative care, and the type of repair.

Abdominoplasty scars can hyperpigment in the immediate postoperative period.  However, the long term results of a scar depend primarily on the quality of the repair.  Skin and subcutaneous suturing in layers generally creates better scars than a single layered closure.  This is specifically what plastic surgeons spend years training for.  Make sure you go to a board certified plastic surgeon and that they take time to explain the type of repair and the postoperative care needed.

If hyperpigmentation develops, topical creams and laser are used to fade the scar.

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Is the scar you have (inverted-T) all the result of surgery? It looks as if you might have hyperemia or redness of the scars due to hypervascularity rather than hyperpigmentation due to melanocyes and melanin. One easy test is to press on the scar with your two index fingers and then move them along the scar away from each other to see if the scar blanches. If you can press the color out, it is due to hyperemia and should improve over time. Patients often rushing into laser treatments prematurely and end up making things worse. Time is on your side. Meanwhile, I would try silicone sheeting which is a low cost, low risk treatement for hypertrophic scars. Discuss this with your surgeon.

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Any amount of subcutaneous blood such as a hematoma can cause pigmentation or hyperpigmentation, espceially in a person with a darker skin. this will usually fade over 9 month.

it is critical to avoid sun bathing or tanning during this period in order to avoid permanenet hyperpigmentation.

keeping the skin moist with oily lubricants helps the health of the skin during this period. some doctors feel that bleaching creams such as Hydroquinon are effective but in my opinion they don't make a lasting difference. It just takes time!

Sean Younai, MD Beautifulfigure.com