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How Can I Treat Discoloration Around my Tummy Tuck Scar?

i had a tummy tuck 3 years ago, now i have a scar and reddish to purple skin all around the scar. How can I treat the discoloration around the scar? I can see the thin line that my surgeon told me I would have, it is very small and almost invisible, the problem is the red purple skin across the scar.

Would a laser treatment work best? I used contractubex, and it helped a bit but the purple is still there so I'd like to go with laser or whatever treatment is needed to remove the scar/purple skin?

Asked 41 months ago by q80simple in kuwait

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Abdominoplasty Scars may Develop Hyperpigmentation

Depending on your skin type, you may have developed hyperpigmentation of the skin. In this condition, the healing skin may have deposited excessive amounts of melanin. The first course of treatment is typically conservative with observation and time. In cases where the pigmentation lasts for long periods of time after the initial surgery, the second course of action is typically the administration of hydroquinone topical cream for several months. The best choice would be to return to your... more

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Purple Scar after Tummy Tuck

Laser treatment can be very helpful in reducing discoloration, especially purple. Get a good referral for the treatments, though: be sure you are a good candidate for the treatment the best laser tchnology is being used the person treating you is well qualified

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD

Denver Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Persistently red scar after tummy tuck

Red scars generally improve with time but may be diminished wihth the use of IPL or laser treatments. It may take a few attempts to find the treatment with the optimal response. In the meantime, ensure that you avoid sun exposure with a high SPF sunscreen/block which can make the scar persitently red. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Never laser a remodelling scar resulting from any operation including a tummy tuck.

Even though it has been 3 years, your scar is still probably biologically active. There is nothing you can do about it except wait. Scar creams don's work. Laser energy is converted to heat which will introduce thermal damage to an area trying to recover from surgical damage. Be patient!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Tummy Tuck scar

Three years is plenty of time for a scar to mature. Ask your plastic surgeon about laser scar treatments. These procedures use lasers that work to decrease the redness and to help flatten the scar. It usually take 3-6 treatments but can be very effective. Best wishes, Neil J Zemmel, MD

Neil J. Zemmel, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Your plastic surgeon can tell you if lasers will help your scar

After 3 years, your tummy tuck scar should have healed and matured sufficiently. See your plastic surgeon for an evaluation to determine if laser treatments can help the appearance of your scar or the surrounding skin. Best- Pat Pazmino, MD, FACS Board Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery MIAMI AESTHETIC SURGERY 305-576-3443

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B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

IPL-Intense Pulsed Light-can help red purple scar from tummy tuck

Red purple scar at 3 years after tummy tuck most likely is caused by excess blood vessels. IPL or intense Pulsed Light can close the vessels and lessen the red color. The IPL is gentler and less painful than many of the lasers like the Pulsed Dye, and there is no bruising which occurs with the pulsed dye laser. If the scar is raised and irritated then you have a hypertrophic scar-unlikely from yoiur description. However if the scar is raised, then non-ablative 1540 Erbium fractional laser... more

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Brooke R. Seckel, MD

Boston Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Treatment options for purple/red scar

When a scar is purple or red, there is a vascular component which contributes to this color. Because this is far different than brown pigmentation, it must be addressed with lasers vs. topical products. In our practice, we have found the pulsed dye laser (VSTAR from Cynosure) to be an excellent tool to resolve the red/purple colors found with surgical, acne, and traumatic scars. W e apply the same concept with red stretch marks. There is no downtime with these treatments and very little... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Discoloration is often treatable with lasers

Depending on the exact color of your scars, they may be easily treatable with lasers. Talk to your surgeon to find out which laser will work best. Lasers work by being absorbed into tissue at a particular wavelength of light, so only certain lasers work for each particular color being treated.

Kevin Brenner, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Tummy Tuck scar discoloration should have settled after 3 years

At 3 years after surgery, the scars should have settled down. Sometimes lasers can be used to lighten the color. This may be the best approach.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Scar color changes

From your description as purple, these are blood vessels that have not resolved. Special VASCULAR LASERS can improve on it. If the discoloration is brown then a laser or bleaching regimen can be the answer.

Samir Shureih, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Discoloraton can be treated with laser

Basically we can treat brown discoloration with topical agents such as Obagi, but if they persist, laser would work. IF the color is red or blue from blood vessels, a different laser is used. An experienced laser physician will know what to do

Barry E. DiBernardo, MD

Montclair Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Purple Scar

Most likely source of "purple" discoloration is low flow blood vessel formation due to inflammatory changes. These do respond very well to laser (pulse dye 585nm) lasers or vascular lasers. Dark pigment is typically post-inflammatory dischromia from melanocytes and responds to either hydroquinone ( 4-8%) or a broad band or intense pulse laser. I hope this helps! Dr. C

John Philip Connors III, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Laser treatment recommended if purple color is caused by tiny blood vessels

Laser treatment is the best option if the purple coloration is caused by tiny blood vessels. If you look closely, you should be able to tell yourself, otherwise consult with your physician. A laser that is used for scars or a laser used to take the red out would work to eliminate the purple color. Purple skin can be caused by steroid injections used to minimize scarring.

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