Did I damage my belly button? Is it permanent?

Question

I am 6 weeks post op from tummy tuck. I had a nice thin red incision line in my belly button. I decided to tan under the sun today and put 50 sunscreen on my incision but forgot to put it on my belly button incision. I covered my tummy with a shirt but after getting out of the shower I noticed that my I tired belly button is not only very dark along the incision and the entire inside also. Did I damage my belly button? Is this permanent?

Earl Stephenson, Jr., MD, DDS, MBA · Answer

You may have.  You should not tan ever! The rays of the sun can darken the scar. On larger scale long term tanning can lead to skin cancer several years later

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

One tanning session will have no effect on the long-term outcome of your scar. Further UV exposure should be avoided.

Yily De Los Santos, MD · Answer

Thanks for you question but pictures are needed. You shouldn't be taking the sun 6 weeks post-op. I don't know if your palstic surgeon gave you post-op instructions. Maybe it's just a sunburn but you should call your plastic sugeon and ask what to do in this case.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Tanning a pink scar should be avoided.  A pink scar if tanned can stay dark permanently.  All you can do at this point is to avoid additional exposure.

Victor Ferrari, MD, FACS · Answer

Without photos, it's hard to even begin to answer your questions.  In general, skin that has been stretched acutely will tan/burn more easily.  That's why we recommend tummy tucks, breast augs, facelifts, etc be careful not to get too much sun exposure in the first 6-12 months after surgery.  If you have hyperpigmentation, it might not end up being permanent.  Show it to your PS.  He or she may put you on a bleaching agent called hydroquinone.

Did I damage my belly button? Is it permanent?

Answers (5)

More Tummy Tuck Questions

Why do I have brown, smelly discharge coming from my belly button almost a year after my tummy tuck?

Not showing in pregnancy after tummy tuck. Is this normal or not? (Photo)

Four weeks post op and swimming in the lake?

Upper reverse tummy tuck in combo with a lower mini tummy tuck. Any risks or negative aspects of this? (Photo)

Will my butt look more attractive after extended tummy tuck with lipo?

Big pouch/overhang left after Tummy Tuck - is this more than just swelling? (photo)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS