When can I exfoliate my tummy tuck incision (I will be using natural home products)?

You have to wait about 8 weeks to do something rough on your incision. You may massage it, you may rub it with scar creams or use silicon strips in the mean time.Time will even out the incision.Dr. Cardenas

Hello! Thank you for the question! It is common for scars to fully mature for up to a year. In the meantime, there are a few things that may help to ameliorate your incision/scar. The most proven (as well as cheapest) modality is simple scar massage. Applying pressure and massaging the well-healed scar has been shown to improve the appearance as it breaks up the scar tissue, hopefully producing the finest scar as possible. Other things that have been shown to add some benefit, albeit controversial, are silicone sheets, hydration, and topical steroids. These can usually be started at approximately 3-4 weeks postop and when incisions healed. In addition, avoidance of direct sunlight to the incision will significantly help the appearance as they tend to discolor with UV light during the healing process. Scars will never disappear, but attempt is made to make the finest scar in a concealed location. Incisions may be revised to lower or conceal better if enough laxity exists. If unsightly scars are still present after approximately a year's time, other things that your surgeon may consider are intralesional steroid injections, laser, or just surgical revision of the scar itself. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Thank you for your question.  It is very important that you consult your plastic surgeon before attempting any exfoliation or other treatment of your tummy tuck incision.  Aggressive exfoliation could irritate the scar.