How can I treat hyper pigmentation after tummy tuck?

Hello! Thank you for your question! After any surgical procedure, you should be careful with incisions as well as avoidance of direct UVA and UVB rays in order to lessen the chance for hyperpigmentation of the skin and scars, which can take several months to resolve, if it ever does. Sunblock is recommended regardless. The ability of the affected area to heal has been slowed and you should try to avoid additional swelling to the area. The area will likely be numb for several weeks to months and will be difficult to feel when sunburn is coming on. Typical recommendations include wearing a hat and/or sunblock to the affected area for at least 6-12 weeks following the procedure. It takes up to one year for scars to fully mature. You should also avoid trauma to the area for several months to protect the refinements made during the procedure. Also, avoidance of pools/lakes/jacuzzis/etc for 4-6 weeks is usually recommended to allow adequate healing and protection from stagnant water, that could potentially harbor bacteria. Lifting/exercise restrictions are common for at least 7 weeks. Certainly discuss the postoperative instructions with your surgeon, as thoughts differ among surgeons. If after that time period, consideration for steroid, laser, or scare revision is reasonable. In the meantime, discuss with your surgeon regarding medications, scar massage, etc.  Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

It is common for patients with darker skin to experience hyperpigmented scars. Your scars can be lightened with nonsurgical treatments, including micro needling, topical skincare products (medical grade) and laser skin technologies. In the meantime, please keep your scars covered up from sun exposure, as UV can darken them even more. Best of luck.

Patients with olive colored skin or dark skin have a greater risk of their scars darkening after surgery.  This is due to the melanocytes (the cells in the skin which give it its color) increasing their production of pigment in the "area of injury", ie your scars.  As the scars mature, the scars become less active and softer and the pigmentation will become less dark.  You may be able to accelerate the fading of the scar by using a topical treatment like Solaquin Forte or Melenex, although this may require several months to be fully effective.  Have your surgeon recommend a treatment plan for you.  Good luck.

 Bruising and swelling normally occurs following abdominoplasty. The skin in or near the surgical site can appear either lighter or darker than surrounding skin. Although uncommon, swelling and skin discoloration may persist for long periods of time and in rare situations may be permanent. You can try bleaching creams, laser or steroid injections

It can be very difficult to get topical bleaching products (such as hydroquinone) to penetrate scar tissue since scars are very dense. Laser procedures are a wonderful way to jumpstart your results and are very effective in softening and fading your scars - a MicroLaserPeel will precisely remove the top layers of skin cells so that your bleaching treatments can absorb easily and effectively (I recommend that you wait 2-3 days after the laser procedure and then start a combination of hydroquinone and steroid if the scar is raised or flat, or hydroquinone and tretinoin if the scar is depressed). If pigmentation is more resistant, fractionated ablative laser treatments (like ProFractional, Fraxel re:pair, etc) can be excellent solutions to unwanted pigmentation in a scar, and will help to blend the texture of the scar into the surrounding skin; however, the discomfort and downtime are more significant. I routinely collaborate with my board-certified dermatologist who is expert in laser therapy to address these challenging problems arising from plastic surgery. Laser treatments require special skills, so make sure your board certified dermatologist performs these techniques routinely.
 

I reccomend you ask your surgeon to prescribe a hydroquinone gel.  If you place it on your incision regularly, you may see an improvement in your pigmentation.

Without seeing before and after pictures, it is impossible to give you specific advice.  However, skin bleaching creams such as Hydroquinone cream can sometimes be helpful.  Other creative options would be to get get a tattoo which covers the areas.

 

Good Luck.

Treating hyperpigmentation after a tummy tuck involves several approaches that can help reduce the appearance of dark spots or discoloration. Here are some effective methods:
1. Topical Treatments:
• Hydroquinone: A skin-lightening agent that can reduce hyperpigmentation.
• Retinoids: Such as tretinoin, which promote cell turnover and help fade dark spots.
• Vitamin C: An antioxidant that can brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation.
• Azelaic Acid: Useful for reducing pigmentation and has anti-inflammatory properties.
2. Chemical Peels:
• Glycolic Acid Peels: Help exfoliate the skin and lighten hyperpigmentation.
• TCA Peels: Trichloroacetic acid peels can penetrate deeper and are effective for more pronounced pigmentation.
3. Laser Treatments:
• Fractional Laser Resurfacing: Targets pigmented areas and promotes new skin growth.
• Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy: Can reduce pigmentation and even out skin tone.
4. Microdermabrasion and Dermabrasion:
• Microdermabrasion: A less invasive procedure that exfoliates the skin’s surface.
• Dermabrasion: A more intensive procedure that removes the top layer of skin, which can help reduce deeper pigmentation.
5. Sun Protection:
• Sunscreen: Daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is crucial to prevent further pigmentation and protect healing skin.
6. Natural Remedies:
• Aloe Vera: Known for its soothing properties, it can help lighten dark spots over time.
• Licorice Extract: Contains glabridin, which can help lighten hyperpigmentation.
• Green Tea Extract: Contains antioxidants that can help improve skin tone.
7. Medical Consultation:
• It’s essential to consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to tailor a treatment plan specific to your skin type and the severity of the hyperpigmentation.
Remember, consistency is key, and it may take several weeks to months to see noticeable improvements. Always follow the guidance of your healthcare provider, especially when combining treatments or using prescription-strength products.

What you have experienced is expected to occur in individuals with darker complexions and is known as post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. A skin bleaching agent even at this point in time may help lighten the areas up. You would have to apply it for several months. Typically, I start my patients on this a few weeks after their surgery to help lower the risk or extent of this occurring.

Laser treatment might help but you would need to find someone with a lot of experience with this.

Good luck.

Thick scar and hyperpigmentation are often related to skin type, and also can be affected by the tension of the closure in the belly button and the transverse scar. Scar massage is of benefit, however after a year if the scar is still thick and ropey, scar revision may allow healing under less tension and a more favorable circumstance than during the original procedure.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd