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Belly Button Scar for a Dark Skin Tone

I had a tummy tuck 10 months ago. I am worried because I have dark Asian skin tone. The scar around my belly button is showing the markings of the stitches. Is this normal? I don't smoke or drink. I eat well and I excercise. Will the scar of the stitches go away? It's so prominent. Also, my tummy tuck scar is really dark still. Will that go away in time? My doctor had addressed these issues with me, but I wanted to get a second opinion.

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4 Doctor Answers | Asked by LSV in Herndon, Va

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Dark belly button and abdominal scar in pigmented individuals after tummy tuck

IT is important to keep this out of the sun with the use of a high SPF sunblock. Mild steroids to minimize post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may also be beneficial see video

I have Asian skin, and my scars are dark after a tummy tuck. Is this normal?

Darker skin types will often have areas of darker skin adjacent to the scars following surgery. This is called post-inflammatory hyper pigmentation (PIH). There are simple ways to improve your skin scars that do not require alot of money. The simplest method is to support your skin with 3M Micropore skin tape. The tape should be applied to your scars immediately after surgery and left on until they fall off on their own (usually about 7 days). The tape can... more

Scarring after a tummy tuck

Scarring varies from individual to individual and is related to tension, ethnicity, genetics, etc. Review of scarring and treatment should be discussed with your surgeon on how to proceed.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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Scar Maturation Takes 6-12 months, non-surgical care after surgery is key to get the best result!

In general, scars take 6-12 months to heal. Non-surgical treatments are the way to go within this 12 month time frame. You may need special anti-scar creams, gels, silicone gel bandages, cortisone injections, and possible laser treatment to get the best results possible. Since it's 10 months after your procedure, your belly button scar will probably still respond to non-surgical alternatives. Smoking may affect scar tissue formation, but drinking, diet,... more

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These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.