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.

Sun exposure to healing scars can cause permanent pigmentation issues.  It is best to keep your scars from sun exposure for a year.  If your scar is completely closed you can use sunscreen on the area to protect it from the harmful rays.