Is there a way to fix this scar above my belly button? (photos)

Question

Over a year ago my belly button piercing rejected from my body and literally ripped its way right through my skin, splitting it in half. After it healed I was left with a circle like scar right above my belly button. It isn't the worst thing, but I would rather it wasn't there it does make me self conscious. I have heard of umbilicoplasty, but I am not sure if this is the correct procedure since it does not technically touch my belly button per say. What are my options and what would they entail?

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

The gold
standard for scar therapy is pressure and time - occasionally a
year or more.  If this fails then scar revision surgery may be considered. Although the results of scar therapy vary from
person to person and scar to scar, the results are considered permanent.

Not infrequently
potential patients avoid surgery because fear of an unsightly scar. To remedy
this, I now utilize and formulate compounded topical creams to treat, relieve
and minimize scars for each of my patients:

• new scars

• old scars

• surgical scars

• keloid scars

• stretch marks

• hypertrophic scars

• hyperpigmented (dark)
scars

• various acne scars,
and more...

These scar removal creams
contain prescription strength medications each individually known to reduce
and/or reverse the scarring process but never before compounded together into
one high potency formulation. These medications are added to a base of
anhydrous silicone (the most common ingredient in everyday topical scar
therapy) and Pracaxi oil, found in the Amazon rainforest and known for its
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Many
health insurance plans actually cover the cost of the creams and they can be
delivered directly to the patients door step. In other words, no need for
multiple trips to the doctor for expensive and painful laser treatments, or wasted
money on minimally effective over-the-counter topical scar therapy gels or
silicone sheets that are unsightly and/or fail to stay on. Instead, with just
two applications a day my patients now perform scar therapy in the comfort of
their own home.  Glad to help.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve the epidermis and dermis for most deep scars. The options available for acne scars depend on the character of your scars, in terms of topography and contour. We see atrophic and hypertrophic acne scars, as well as scars that have hypo and hyperpigmentation. We begin each scar evaluation with an assessment of scar quality and subtype. Our main concern is rebuilding collagen and that is why we use a HIDEF protocol that includes combination therapy. Morpheus 8, scar subcision, fibrous release, fractional laser, CO2 laser, Thulium laser, PDL Vbeam laser, and fractional resurfacing can be used in addition to TCA Cross and chemical peels to further improve skin. Patients should start Melarase AM and Melarase PM for active hyperpigmentation. Always begin with a consultation to decide whether early subcision should be started.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

Lasers can be tried first without little risk of any complications and they may help to improve the appearance.   If this didnt work, a scar revision can be performed.  I typically punch out a small section and suture the area (which are left in for a week), and then follow with laser treatments 3-6 weeks later.  I wish you the best of luck, Dr. Emer.

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

Umbilicoplasties is can be tricky. Sometimes they can be worse than the original problem. I would advise you to have an in person consultation with plastic surgeons to get their advice.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Very difficult operation to do without adding more scars!!! Only do this if you can live with the downside of the operation...

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

A scar revision may be a reasonable approach, but the scar will not be invisible. Hopefully the revision will make it smaller.

Is there a way to fix this scar above my belly button? (photos)

Answers (6)

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