What is the cause of discolouration around my scars? (Photo)

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Dear Inventive635499,
I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment, it would be difficult to determine what went wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after a thorough examination, you can get proper recommendations and advice.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

The evolution of scars after surgery is determined by multiple factors. Some factors are patient specific others are specific to the procedure/surgeon etc. Fitzpatrick scale (your skin tone) can also play a role. Scars can widen, hypertrophy, hyper or hypo pigment (amongst other things) and they can evolve for up to 6-12 months. Reducing tension, sun protection, scar massage are some of the things that can help a scar along as it matures. I hope some of this information helps, but the specifics of your scar should be looked at carefully in person by a plastic surgeon.

I would suggest discussing this with your surgeon, but you may have some residual areolar skin in your vertical scar. This is the most common cause of darkening in the scar unless you have used sunbeds.