When can you expose the belly button to the sun without affecting the scar negatively?

Amanda I completely understand your desire to show off your new body! However, precautions should be taken. Generally speaking, scars that are new and still forming should not see the sun until they are fully mature. This usually takes one year. An immature scar that gets tanned can maintain that darkened skin tone after tanned skin fades everywhere else, making the scar more noticeable. You can still wear a bikini if your lower abdominal scar is covered by the bikini bottom and you cover your bellybutton scar with sunblock. I know that is a pain, but in the long run worth the effort! Confirm my advice with your board-certified plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Hi & thanks for your question!
I would use a high SPF sunscreen/block for the first year. You can wear a two piece swimsuit as long as you apply sunscreen to the belly button/ scars. Best of luck!

It can take up to a year for scars to fully mature. If the scar is completely healed use sun block to protect while in the sun. Good luck.

Thanks for your question. The main consideration with the sun is with the incisions.  The sun is the enemy of scarring and so we want you to be really careful with sun exposure for a year or so after surgery.  This does not mean to not be in the sun, it means to make sure to use sun protection (50 sf) on the incisions so they don't darker. 

Generally speaking, scars are healing and changing for close to a year. The aesthetician at our office recommends patients to wait atleast 2-3 months before sun exposure, or if they are going to wear a 2 piece, SPF should be used and reapplied constantly throughout the day. If your surgeon does not have a aesthetician at his office who can give their recommendation, he probably knows one he can refer you to in order to get the best outcome possible.

Scars, including belly buttons, don't tan well in the first tanning season.  The little melanocytes (pigment producing cells) have to wake up, or migrate back into that scar.  If you tan too soon, you can wind up with a 'white tatoo', where the surrounding skin tans and the scar lights up 'white'.  That may be permanent, or last for a long time.  

Scar hyperpigmentation is always a concern within at least the first year following surgery.  Sunblock can be helpful in preventing this.  Avoidance of exposure is best but can be impractical.  Best advice will come from the PS who performed your MM as he/she will know how you are healing.Kenneth Hughes, MD, ABPS Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Thanks for the questions.The scar needs to be covered from the sun for the first six months. After that, it might not be a bad idea to cover the scar with sun screen for another 6 months. Good Luck!

Dear  amanda33mcclelland,
most plastic surgeons won't recommend you to expose your scar to direct sunlight until it is fully mature and even after that, you should use sunscreen in order to protect it. 
I understand your concern. It is best that you consult your plastic surgeon regarding post operative care and management (i.e including massage techniques and timing) specific to your case. Your surgeon knows your condition well and has preferences on when and what to use for faster healing and recovery. Post operative care and management depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used during surgery among other factors.It is best, however, that you follow your plastic surgeon's advice on post operative care management for a smooth and faster healing and recovery.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Hello, and thank you for your question. It is a best practice, in general, to avoid spending prolonged time in the sun as a precaution against skin cancer. In addition, new scars may be more susceptible to darkening from the sun. You may be able to wear a two-piece bathing suit and avoid the effects of the sun if you wear sunscreen with a high SPF, try to stay in shaded areas and keep the scar itself covered as much as possible.