How long befor tummy tuck scar changes color?

Question

I'm 4 months post-op of a tummy tuck and my scar is still really dark. It's kind of a burgundy color. Is it normal? how much long does it usually take for a scar to start turning white? I am also applying dermatix ultra on my scar twice a day.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Abdominoplasty scars can be quite complex, ranging from the simple hypertrophic scar to a multiplane inflamed keloid. Pigmentation, discoloration, chronic inflammation, scar visibility can all occur in the short term. We begin each treatment with combination therapy using Yellow broadband BBL, Vbeam, fractional erbium, intralesional IIT, and scar modulation. Start with a combination of Plato's Scar Serum massaged twice daily after one week of epithelialization followed by Luminase/Exfolase. Scar consultation and revision may be recommended.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Tummy tuck scars can continue to fade for 12 months or longer.  It sounds like you are already applying a good quality scar gel.  If you have concerns, your plastic surgeon will be able to tell you if your scar is normal for this stage.

Larry Weinstein, MD · Answer

I lecture medical students every month and explain it takes 6 months to two years for the wound to mature and the redness to be gone. The tiny blood vessels are immature and seeking each others channels, it takes them up to two years to reconnect and let the redness out. LASER can cause permanent white scars. Silicone preparations are good to apply twice a day to the wound to help a heaped up scar flatten.

Chad Douglas Tattini, MD · Answer

Typically it can take a full 1-2 years for a scar to mature and fade. This really depends on your native skin color and sun exposure and so be sure to use sun screen even when you are wearing a bathing suit in the upcoming year. Despite many scar therapies, time is the best thing to help the scar fade.

Robert Drielsma, MBBS, BSc, FRACS · Answer

At this stage of your post operative recovery its normal for scars to still be red, dark and thickened.  Its takes around 18 months for scars to go through their natural maturation phase.  During this time its ideal to treat the scars with a silicone gel cream or similar product to help minimize the appearance of your scars.  Your scars will never completely disappear but with careful treatment they should be less red and bumpy as time goes on.

Daniel M. Calloway, MD · Answer

Every patient responds to surgery differently, but in general, scars will slowly improve through a process known as scar maturation.  Most often, this process requires at least 6-12 months, but may require longer for some individuals.  The burgundy color you describe is sounds normal for your stage of recovery and is related to the increased vascularity of the incision due to a marked increase in the number of microscopic blood vessels.  This increase in vascularity allows the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin and soft tissues.Use of topical anti-scarring creams or gels (such as the Dermatix) can aid in hastening the scar maturation process, or at least in suppressing undesirable scar formation.  Vascular lasers such as pulsed dye lasers or KTP lasers with wavelengths in the range of 532 to 595 nm can be used on the incisions to suppress the red/burgandy color from the increased vascularity.  Ultimately time is the most important factor.

Sanjiv Kayastha, MD · Answer

It can take a year or more for your scar to completely mature. You can perform massage and use scar creams as your doctor advises. Later on, if the scar color does not lighten it may be reasonable to have laser treatments to lighten it.

Francisco Canales, MD · Answer

It will take 12-18 months for the scar to mature. In the meantime, do as you are doing with scar solutions.  Ask your doctor about any other new treatments like silicone sheeting and Embrace therapy.  Best wishes.Below is a 5 year follow up on a tummy tuck. Her scar used to be very red.