I am one year post tummy tuck. My scar and the area around it is getting darker and wider. What is the best treatment? (photo)

Laser and scars cream or bleaching creams may lighten the scar, however, as you indicated and as shown in your photo, the scar is also wide.  The only treatment for this is a scar revision where the scar is removed and the skin sewn close.  I recommend scar revision as the best treatment for you.  There will be minimal tension on the scar, unlike after your initial surgery and so the wide scar is unlikely to recur.  If the  hyperpigmentation recurs (also not very likely), it can be treated with laser or topical treatments.  After your revision, take the same careful approach with topical creams as you did initially.I do agree with you surgeon that scars take years to heal, however the width will not reduce with further time, and so even by giving it a few more years, you are unlikely to be happy with this scar.All the best to you,Dr. Nancy de Kleer

There are a few options for your scar or maybe even a combination treatment would work best.
1.) Scar revision: removing old scar and reclosing. Now that time has gone by hopefully the incision would not have as much tension causing a wide scar. Embrace is a great treatment on new scars. It prevents tension on the incision.
2.) Bleaching agent such as hydroquinone for dark pigment of the scar. Follow bleaching agent with possible micro needling.
3.) Avoiding any type of sun to the incision for a year.
All three of these options I recommend in my practice. I hope this helps and wish you all the best.

Your scar may improve some with time, but probably not much. Most scars start to appear mature after about 1 year. Certainly, the widening of the scar will not improve. The only way to improve the widening is by removing the scar and closing the skin with less tension than before. Scar revision surgery is usually effective because it takes much less tension to close the surgical wound than when the abdominoplasty is performed. If you choose this route, I would suggest Embrace scar therapy after about 1 month. I have seen good results with the Embrace silicone sheets that also reduce tension on the scar. 

TwinMGG.   Scar healing is hard to predict and each individual scars differently. I would allow another two or three months to pass with continuation of scar creams. At that time you may consider scar revision or laser treatments. The immature scar should not be subjected to strong direct sunlight, as immature scars that get tan stay tan. Best of luck.

At 1 year the scar should not be getting darker. You are not likely to see significant improvement with silicone strips at this point. I would suggest getting a consultation for laser treatment to see if that lightens it, otherwise you may need a scar revision. Best of luck! 

Dear TwinMGG,in most cases scar will be fully mature after 12-18 months after the surgery and it should become less visible and fade with time. Laser treatment is also an option to make your scar less visible. If that doesn't help, then scar revision is probably the best option. Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Thanks for your question. Your tummy looks excellent, but I must say that the appearance of your scar at 1 year out is a little dark. I think I would try a series of BBL (similar to laser) treatments. This can help areas of pigmentation that is irregular. You might ask your surgeon if he/she has this treatment in their practice that you can try? Best wishes.

Thank you for the question and photo.  What you are likely seeing is hyper pigmentation associated with the tension from your tummy tuck incision.  I think time will likely be the best answer as I do not think any products would be of help at this stage.  Sometimes Embrace early on after your tummy tuck (2 weeks after) may be of help to take some of the tension off of the incision.  I would continue to try and not stretch the TT waist incision by not hyperextending your abdomen/waist.All the best,Dr. Remus Repta

Your scar darkening is called hyperpigmentation.  It tends to happen when patients already have some natural pigment in their skin.   Aboslute avoidance of sun and tanning beds is critical.   The scar was also under tension after the tummy tuck and this can cause some widening.   Your plastic surgeon can do a scar revision, removing the old scar and creating a new one that won't be as tight as it was the day of the tummy tuck.  Microdermabrasion, halo laser and bleaching creams are some possible tools.  Your surgeon should continue to care for you till scar is fully healed.

Scars do continue to heal and fade over time.  Lasers can be useful to help with pigmentation, but the width will not change.  To address both the pigment and width, scar revision is used.  This includes excising the current scar.  See your plastic surgeon to learn more.