Tummy Tuck Scar After 10 Weeks - Hyperpigmentation Problem

Ten weeks ago I had a full Tummy Tuck, and 4 weeks after, I had a small correction of hematoma that didn't heal and the skin was peeled off. Around this correction, hyperpigmentation started, and now it looks really ugly. Is it normal to get hyperpigmentation in this area post-Tummy Tuck, and will it fade away in time? What can I do to make it disappear?

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13 Doctor Answers | Asked by Ariela in Latvia

Doctor Answers (13)
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Take small steps first

Hi- I understand your concern about your scar- but your interests and final outcome will be best served by exercising as much patience as you can muster... human scars mature over the first 12-18 months after they are created, meaning that for that time period, the scars will improve in appearance on their own (even if nothing were done). After this time period, you can be confident that no further improvement will occur, and intervention would be appropriate. I don't blame you if you don't want more

Overtreatment of scars

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... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD

4 reviews

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

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... more

Pigment fades

Ariela, Pigmentation in scars after tummy tuck is very common. It usually continues to fade with time, even as far out as years after surgery. There are bleaching creams that may help to speed up the process. Also, don't forget to avoid sun exposure to your scars, as this will tend to make them hyperpigment even further. Good luck!

Hematoma worsens hyperpigmentation but it will fade

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... more

Scar Guard and Laser will be helpful

I am not certain from your photo if you already had a vertical scar, or if you had some skin necrosis that left an abnormal scar. Either way, your scar will improve with time. You can speed up the process with two modalities. The first would be a product called Scar Guard. It is now available at most pharmacies and many Plastic Surgeons carry it in their office. It is painted on the scar 1-2 times per day. It is a combination of silicone gel, vitamin E, and other products. We have... more

Laser treatments an option

It appears that you had some pre-existing scarring from earlier surgery so your case is a bit complicated. There are some laser treatments and a similar one called IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) which can help scars to fade if it is started early.

Time is your friend

Time is the most important thing at the 10 week stage of scar healing. You can also try silicone sheeting or topical products like ScarGuard and Mederma. Those can be used now. Scar revision is something that could be considered (this includes laser, steroid or additional surgery). You may be suprised at how well the scar settles with time though. Good luck and let us all know how things work out.

Silicone sheeting for scar treatment

Your best treatment options include: Massage Sunblock Silicone sheeting Laser scar reduction Time!

Scars will improve

While your result looks like you have a bit of a nasty scar right now, if we could project you one to two years down the road, you would see a dramatic improvement in the scar and hyperpigmentation. Scar massage, possible IPL treatments may speed the resolution a bit also.