I have a sunburnt on Tummy Tuck Scar. Any suggestions? (photos)

Question

I got a tummy tuck almost 7 years ago and it healed up nicely except the middle portion which took longer to heal than the rest and always had a more thicker scar tissue & purple color but today for the first time ever through my one piece swimsuit my scar got a bad sunburn. I didn't even know you can burn through your suit & it even has a small blister. Will my scar in this area always be sensitive to the sun even after so many years?

Joseph Mlakar, MD · Answer

For some patients, a scar will always be at risk for sunburn because it does not have the same protective mechanisms of normal skin.  If you have a wide surgical scar from a tummy tuck, scar revision surgery can sometimes be helpful.  Talk to your plastic surgeon.  Good luck!

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

This looks like a hypertrophic scar which is a wide scar.  If you have any interest in making it a finer scar, I would speak to a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss scar revision.

William Andrade, MD · Answer

Hello, I would suggest contacting your surgeon for management of the wound and long-term scar.  In general, a wound will heal best if it is kept clean and uncontaminated, so an ointment and sterile dressing assists with healing and decreases the risk of infection.

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

You should always protect your scar with covering it and applying sunscreen. I would let the sunburn settle and see how it looks after. Your scar will always be more sensitive than your normal skin.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi and thanks for posting your photo.You have what is called a "Hypertrophic Scar" that means that you have more scarring tissue than normal.This portion of skin is very sensitive to sunlight and you should use a high sun protection under your swimsuit, and / or also buy one that have UV protection.Your scar  can be improved with  a therapy consisting in  a series  of injections of steroids.Talk to your surgeon about it.

I have a sunburnt on Tummy Tuck Scar. Any suggestions? (photos)

Answers (5)